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90-518: The Renault 5 is a five-passenger, three or five-door, front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback supermini manufactured and marketed by the French automaker Renault over two generations: 1972–1985 (also called R5) and 1984–1996 (also called Super 5 or Supercinq). The R5 was marketed in the United States and Canada as Le Car , from 1976 until 1983. Renault marketed a four-door sedan variant,

180-423: A monocoque structure. The approach had by then become mainstream among many European automakers, but represented an advance on the mechanically similar Renault 4 and Renault 6 , both of which used a separate platform. The monocoque structure reduced the car's weight, but required investment in new production processes. The Renault 5 was targeted at cost-conscious customers, and the entry-level "L" version included

270-514: A combination of castings and sheet-metal stampings". Single-piece carbon fiber bicycle frames are sometimes described as monocoques; however as most use components to form a frame structure (even if molded in a single piece), these are frames not monocoques, and the pedal-cycle industry continues to refer to them as framesets. The P40DC, P42DC and P32ACDM all utilize a monocoque shell. Various rockets have used pressure-stabilized monocoque designs, such as Atlas and Falcon 1 . The Atlas

360-549: A dimensions on par or slightly larger than traditional B-segment cars, and often are built on the same platform as B-segment hatchbacks or saloons. B-segment SUVs are usually excluded by analysts from traditional B-segment car sales. 22 percent of SUV global sales were contributed by B-segment SUVs in 2019. One of the first mass-market electric B-segment cars in Europe was the Renault Zoe , released in 2012. Global sales of

450-638: A formal car classification term, eventually being adopted in European Commission classification as the B-segment. The 1990 Renault Clio and 1983 Fiat Uno were significant models in the supermini or the B-segment, being the recipients of the European Car of the Year award. The Clio replaced the long-running Renault 5, although the latter remained in production until 1996. In 1993,

540-494: A frame. This reduces weight for a given amount of armour. Examples include the German TPz Fuchs and RG-33 . French industrialist and engineer Georges Roy attempted in the 1920s to improve on the bicycle-inspired motorcycle frames of the day, which lacked rigidity. This limited their handling and therefore performance. He applied for a patent in 1926, and at the 1929 Paris Automotive Show unveiled his new motorcycle,

630-406: A fuel tank incorporated into the frame. A monocoque-framed motorcycle was developed by Spanish manufacturer Ossa for the 1967 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season . Although the single-cylinder Ossa had 20 horsepower (15 kW) less than its rivals, it was 45 pounds (20 kg) lighter and its monocoque frame was much stiffer than conventional motorcycle frames , giving it superior agility on

720-602: A global sales of 910,839 units that year, in which 54 percent was contributed by its European sales. It took the world number one spot from the Toyota Corolla at 906,953 sales. Safety features have improved for the cars in the segment. In 1995, both petrol and diesel B-segment vehicles had only around 40 percent of the listed safety options installed (side impact bars, driver/passenger airbag, side airbag, ABS , electronic braking system, stability control), whereas by 2010 they were averaging over 90 percent. This represents

810-415: A length of approximately 3.7–4.2 m (146–165 in), and may vary depending on the body styles, markets, and era. In some cases, the same car may be differently positioned depending on the market. The Euro NCAP vehicle class called "Supermini" also includes smaller A-segment cars alongside B-segment cars. In Britain, the term "supermini" is more widely used for B-segment hatchbacks. The term

900-719: A metal shell or sheeting reinforced with frames riveted to the skin, but most wooden aircraft are described as monocoques, even though they also incorporate frames. By contrast, a semi-monocoque is a hybrid combining a tensile stressed skin and a compressive structure made up of longerons and ribs or frames . Other semi-monocoques, not to be confused with true monocoques, include vehicle unibodies , which tend to be composites, and inflatable shells or balloon tanks , both of which are pressure stabilised. Early aircraft were constructed using frames, typically of wood or steel tubing, which could then be covered (or skinned ) with fabric such as Irish linen or cotton . The fabric made

990-413: A minor structural contribution in tension but none in compression and was there for aerodynamic reasons only. By considering the structure as a whole and not just the sum of its parts, monocoque construction integrated the skin and frame into a single load-bearing shell with significant improvements to strength and weight. To make the shell, thin strips of wood were laminated into a three dimensional shape;

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1080-669: A more expensive offering. Examples include the Ford Fiesta ST , Hyundai i20 N , Peugeot 208 GTi , Suzuki Swift Sport , Toyota GR Yaris , Volkswagen Polo GTI , among others. B-segment MPV (also called mini MPV or B-MPV) are taller and/or longer derivatives of B-segment hatchbacks with an emphasis in interior space and practicality. Examples are the Citroën C3 Picasso , Fiat 500L , and Ford B-Max . B-segment crossovers or SUVs (also called subcompact crossover SUV, small SUV, or B-SUV ) are crossovers/SUVs that has

1170-560: A rally Group 4 (later Group B ) version was introduced. It was named the Renault 5 Turbo , but being mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, this car had little technical resemblance to the road-going version. Though retaining the shape and general look of the 5, only the door panels were shared with the standard version. Driven by Jean Ragnotti , this car won the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally for its first race. The 2WD R5 turbo soon faced competition from new 4WD vehicles that were faster on dirt; however,

1260-504: A significant improvement in vehicle safety over the period, despite petrol and diesel B-segment vehicles averaging an inflation-adjusted price increase of 6 percent and 15 percent respectively. Studies from the European Union and JATO has found that the average maximum power output of B-segment vehicles has increased by 40 percent between 1995 and 2010, while the average overall vehicle weight only increased by around 20 percent in

1350-399: A solid frame. This becomes obvious when internal pressure is lost and the structure collapses. Monocoque tanks can also be cheaper to manufacture than more traditional orthogrids . Blue Origin's upcoming New Glenn launch vehicle will use monocoque construction on its second stage despite the mass penalty in order to reduce the cost of production. This is especially important when the stage

1440-401: A standard 1.1 L (1108 cc) Renault 5. The larger engine and its various performance parts meant that the spare wheel could no longer fit there and was relocated to the boot/trunk. The Alpine could be identified by special alloy wheels and front fog lights and was equipped with stiffened suspension, but still retaining the torsion bar at the rear with added anti-roll bars. Renault quoted

1530-515: A technique adopted from boat hull construction. One of the earliest examples was the Deperdussin Monocoque racer in 1912, which used a laminated fuselage made up of three layers of glued poplar veneer, which provided both the external skin and the main load-bearing structure. This also produced a smoother surface and reduced drag so effectively that it was able to win most of the races it was entered into. This style of construction

1620-485: A top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h) and tested in the July 1979 issue of UK magazine Car , it achieved a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h) and 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.7 seconds. The UK car magazine Motor road test figures quoted top speed of 104.7 mph (168.5 km/h) and 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.7 seconds. The Renault 5 Alpine Turbo was launched in 1982 as an upgraded successor to

1710-563: A uniform material. After failed attempts with several large flying boats in which a few components were monocoques, he built the Zeppelin-Lindau V1 to test out a monocoque fuselage. Although it crashed, he learned a lot from its construction. The Dornier-Zeppelin D.I was built in 1918 and although too late for operational service during the war was the first all metal monocoque aircraft to enter production. In parallel to Dornier, Zeppelin also employed Adolf Rohrbach , who built

1800-633: The A0-class in China, and the supermini category for B-segment hatchbacks in Great Britain. Category:Subcompact cars   ( 306 ) Monocoque First used for boats, a true monocoque carries both tensile and compressive forces within the skin and can be recognised by the absence of a load-carrying internal frame. Few metal aircraft other than those with milled skins can strictly be regarded as pure monocoques, as they use

1890-965: The Clio 16V and the Clio Williams. The Renault 5 GT Turbo's 1989 Rallye Côte d'Ivoire victory remains the only overall WRC victory for a Group N car. Supermini car The B-segment is the second smallest of the European segments for passenger cars between the A-segment and C-segment , and commonly described as "small cars". The B-segment is the largest segment in Europe by volume, accounting for 20 percent of total car sales in 2020 according to JATO Dynamics . B-segment cars include hatchback, saloon , estate , coupe / convertible , MPV , and crossover / SUV body styles. The European segments are not based on size or weight criteria. In practice, B-segment cars have been described as having

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1980-464: The Junkers J 1 had appeared as early as 1915, these were not monocoques but added a metal skin to an underlying framework. The first metal monocoques were built by Claudius Dornier , while working for Zeppelin-Lindau. He had to overcome a number of problems, not least was the quality of aluminium alloys strong enough to use as structural materials, which frequently formed layers instead of presenting

2070-666: The Nissan Micra (K11) , became the first Japanese car company to be receive the European Car of the Year award. In 1999, the Toyota Yaris received the European Car of the Year award, and was noted for its high roof which allowed for improved interior space. Another notable model is the Opel Corsa , which was the best-selling car in the world in the year 1998 thanks to its extensive international presence. It recorded

2160-560: The Renault 5 (or Supercinq, Superfive), launched in October 1984 — within 18 months of Ford , General Motors , Peugeot , Fiat and Nissan launching competitors in the supermini sector. Initially, It was only available with a three-door body, leading to a somewhat slow introduction. Right-hand drive models for the UK market were launched in January 1985. Although it closely resembled

2250-623: The Renault 7 , manufactured from 1974 until 1984 in Spain by Renault 's subsidiary FASA-Renault and exported to select markets. The Renault 5 became the best-selling car in France from 1972 until 1986, with a total production exceeding 5.5 million over 14 years, making it France's most popular car. The first images and details of the Renault 5 were published on 10 December 1971, and the car's formal launch followed on 28 January 1972. The Renault 5

2340-604: The Renault Alpine V6 GT . In 1987, the facelifted Phase II was launched. Major changes in the Phase II version included installing watercooling to the turbocharger, aiding the Phase I's oil-cooled setup, which extended the life of the turbo. It also received a new ignition system which permitted it to rev 500 rpm higher. These changes boosted engine output to over 88 kW; 118 hp (120 PS). Externally,

2430-681: The Zeppelin-Staaken E-4/20 , which when it flew in 1920 became the first multi-engined monocoque airliner, before being destroyed under orders of the Inter-Allied Commission. At the end of WWI, the Inter-Allied Technical Commission published details of the last Zeppelin-Lindau flying boat showing its monocoque construction. In the UK, Oswald Short built a number of experimental aircraft with metal monocoque fuselages starting with

2520-497: The naturally aspirated Alpine. In Britain, the car was still called Gordini rather than Alpine. Motor magazine undertook a road test of the Turbo in 1982 and while they appreciated the performance (top speed 179.9 km/h (111.8 mph), 0 to 97 kilometres per hour (0 to 60 mph) in 8.7 seconds), they were critical of its high price as it was £2 more than the larger Ford Escort XR3 . The 1.4 L (1,397 cc) engine in

2610-450: The "TL" was differentiated from the "L" by a thin chrome strip below the doors. The early production R5 used a dashboard-mounted gearshift like the Renault 4. It was linked by a rod that ran over the top of the engine to a single bend where the rod turned downwards into the gearbox, which was positioned directly in front of the engine. A floor-mounted lever employing a cable linkage replaced this arrangement in 1973. An automatic version, with

2700-628: The 1.7 engine - with the GTX featuring a full leather interior, power steering, electric windows, sunroof, high-specification audio equipment, with available air-conditioning and an onboard computer. The latter was effectively the same, but the leather interior was an option and there were other detail changes. As with the previous generation, the 5 Turbo was again assembled at the Alpine plant in Dieppe , where forty cars per day were constructed in 1985. In 1990,

2790-427: The 1920 Short Silver Streak in an attempt to convince the air ministry of its superiority over wood. Despite advantages, aluminium alloy monocoques would not become common until the mid 1930s as a result of a number of factors, including design conservatism and production setup costs. Short would eventually prove the merits of the construction method with a series of flying boats, whose metal hulls didn't absorb water as

Renault 5 - Misplaced Pages Continue

2880-468: The 1962 original (in 1108 cc form). It was turbocharged with an air-cooled Garrett T2 turbocharger. Weighing a mere 850 kg (1,874 lb), and producing 85 kW; 113 hp (115 PS), the GT Turbo had an excellent power-to-weight ratio, permitting it to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.5 seconds. It came with plastic side skirts to differentiate it from

2970-463: The 1973 European Car of the Year award, which was instead given to the Audi 80 . Boué died of cancer at the end of 1972, just a few months after the car he designed was launched. The R5 borrowed mechanicals from the successful Renault 4 , using a longitudinally-mounted engine driving the front wheels with torsion bar suspension. OHV engines were the same as the Renault 4 and larger Renault 8 . At

3060-482: The 64 PS (63 hp; 47 kW) 5 TS, which could not reach 161 km/h (100 mph), compared to the 93 PS (92 hp; 68 kW) Gordini, which could reach 177 km/h (110 mph). The 1.4 L (1397 cc) OHV engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox, was based on the Renault "Sierra" pushrod engine, but having a crossflow cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers and developed 93 PS (68 kW; 92 hp), twice as much as

3150-494: The Aero-D One, featuring a composite monocoque chassis that weighed only 12 kg (26 lb). An aluminium monocoque frame was used for the first time on a mass-produced motorcycle from 2000 on Kawasaki's ZX-12R , their flagship production sportbike aimed at being the fastest production motorcycle . It was described by Cycle World in 2000 as a "monocoque backbone ... a single large diameter beam" and "Fabricated from

3240-548: The Alpine/Gordini Turbo had a single Garrett T3 turbocharger, increasing the power output to 110 bhp (82 kW; 112 PS). Sales continued until 1984 when the second generation Renault 5 was launched, and the release of the Renault 5 GT Turbo in 1985. The Renault 5 Turbo should not be confused with the Alpine Turbo or GT Turbo as it was radically modified by mounting a turbocharged engine behind

3330-514: The Art-Deco styled 1930 Majestic. Its new type of monocoque body solved the problems he had addressed, and along with better rigidity it did double-duty, as frame and bodywork provided some protection from the elements. Strictly considered, it was more of a semi-monocoque, as it used a box-section, pressed-steel frame with twin side rails riveted together via crossmembers, along with floor pans and rear and front bulkheads. A Piatti light scooter

3420-627: The GTL, Automatic, TS and TSE had the 1397 cc engine (rated at 44 kW; 59 hp (60 PS) for the GTL, 50 kW; 67 hp (68 PS) for the Automatic, and 53 kW; 71 hp (72 PS) for the TS and TSE). The TC and TL had four-speed manual gearboxes, while the GTL, TS, and TSE had five-speed manual gearboxes (optional on the TL), and the Automatic had a three-speed automatic gearbox. 1987 saw

3510-554: The Le Car's standard features and low base price, actually comparing it to the imported Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic, and VW Rabbit. The U.S. version featured a desmogged 1289 cc inline-four engine rated at 60 hp (45 kW). In 1977, it dominated the Sports Car Club of America "Showroom Stock Class C" class. Ever tightening emissions legislation meant that power was down to 51 hp (38 kW) by 1980. The Le Car

3600-506: The R5 GTL, but with a 1,289 cc engine rated at 55 bhp (41 kW; 56 PS), a vinyl roof, and the TS' front seats, and also became available with five-door bodywork. In March 1981, the automatic received the 1.4 L engine that increased performance and fuel economy. The Renault 5 Alpine was one of the first ' hot hatches ' launched in 1976 – two months before the original Volkswagen Golf GTi. The right-hand drive 5 Alpine

3690-651: The R5 was effectively replaced by the Clio , which was a sales success across Europe. Production of the R5 was transferred to the Revoz factory in Yugoslavia (since 1992 called Slovenia) when the Clio was launched. It remained on sale with only the 1.1 L, 1.4 L petrol, and 1.6 L naturally aspirated diesel engines. The GT Turbo, with its turbocharged 1.4 engine and a top speed of more than 190 km/h (120 mph),

Renault 5 - Misplaced Pages Continue

3780-564: The Renault 5 in Europe from 1979 onward. The Le Car was used as a law enforcement vehicle. The La Conner, Washington , police department acquired three of the vehicles for its fleet in the late-1970s. Because they were early adopters, Renault advertised Le Car's versatility in a full-page ad illustrating its use by the department. The chief of police, Russ Anderson, was quoted "Gas is killing us. With Le Car, we were able to decrease our budget and increase our mobility." Another small town, Ogunquit, Maine , used five Renault 5s as their police cars in

3870-526: The Renault Le Car, installing sixteen six-volt lead-acid batteries, providing a modest range of 60 km (37 mi). In 1978, the converted cars were rebranded "Lectric Leopard" and marketed to government agencies. The Renault 5 Alpine version was raced in Group 2 . In the 1978 Monte Carlo, Renault 5 Alpines came second and third overall, despite a powerful team entry from Fiat and Lancia. In 1978,

3960-637: The Renault remained among the fastest of its era on paved roads. The original Renault 5 continued to be produced in Iran by SAIPA , then by Pars Khodro (a SAIPA subsidiary), as the Sepand . In 2001, the Renault PK went on sale: for this version, the Sepand's Renault 5 platform was replaced with that of a Kia Pride , while a modified version of the Renault 5's bodywork was kept. The Sepand II, restyled in 2000,

4050-490: The United States against such front-wheel-drive subcompacts as the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Rabbit . It was described as a "French Rabbit" that "is low on style, but high on personality and practicality". American Motors' ad agency launched the car in the U.S. with a marketing campaign emphasizing that it was Europe's best-selling automobile with millions of satisfied owners. It did not achieve such immediate success in

4140-405: The United States market, even though the Le Car was praised in road tests comparing "super-economy" cars for its interior room and smooth ride, with an economical [35 mpg ‑US (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg ‑imp ) highway and 28 mpg ‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg ‑imp ) city] as well as its smooth-running engine. Advertisements also focused on

4230-573: The United States. The North American Renault 5 debuted in 1976, but sales were disappointing, and many cars remained on dealer lots. Renault's response was to change advertising agencies and rebrand the vehicle for the following year as "Le Car." The new marketing campaign stressed the car's sporty character and successful European competition history. Renault formed an alliance in January 1979, allowing Renault cars to be sold and serviced by American Motors Corporation (AMC) dealers. The automaker marketed it through its 1,300 dealers , where it competed in

4320-685: The Zoe achieved the 50,000 unit milestone in June 2016, and 200,000 units by March 2020. Other manufacturers followed suit; Groupe PSA introduced the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e in 2019, while Honda followed with the low-volume Honda e , and Mini with their Mini Electric . The B-segment is considered as the European equivalent to the subcompact category widely known in North America,

4410-636: The car was replaced by the Kenosha, Wisconsin —built Renault 11 -based Renault Alliance . Sales in Canada continued until 1986, two years after the second generation Renault 5 (known as the Supercinq or Superfive ) had replaced it in the European market. Despite the 'Le Car' brand being created specifically for the North American market, Renault later applied the name to special edition versions of

4500-431: The car was revamped, with changes (including new bumpers and arches) that reduced the car's drag coefficient from 0.36 to 0.35—giving Phase II a 0–100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. In 1989 the GT Turbo received a new interior, and in 1990 the special edition Raider model (available only in metallic blue, with different interior and wheels) was launched. In late 1991, the Renault 5 GT Turbo was discontinued and superseded by

4590-616: The car's 12-year production ended in 1996. It also marked the end of the R5 designation after nearly 25 years and the discontinuation of numerical model designations for Renault cars that had been used for much of the company's history. The Campus sold more strongly in the United Kingdom than elsewhere, because the Renault Twingo (which addressed the same market) was only sold in LHD and exclusively in mainland Europe. In 2011, it

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4680-439: The car's launch, the 782 cc and 956 cc versions were available depending on the model level. A "5TS/5LS" with the 1,289 cc engine from the Renault 12 was added from April 1974. As on the Renault 4, entry-level Renault 5s had their engine sizes increased to 845 cc in 1976, and at the top of the range, later models included the 1,397 cc version. It was one of the first modern superminis, which capitalized on

4770-708: The country in 2020. The term supermini, which precedes the B-segment term, emerged in the UK in the 1970s, as car manufacturers sought a new design to surpass the influential Mini , launched in 1959, and journalists attempted to categorise such a vehicle. The car which is widely regarded as the first modern supermini is the Autobianchi A112 , launched in 1969. It was later followed by the Fiat 127 , Renault 5 , VW Polo and Honda Civic , which are similar in concept and size. These supermini or B-segment cars were considered to feature better comfort and convenience, with

4860-503: The driver in what is usually the passenger compartment, creating a mid-engined rally car. It was also driven by the rear wheels rather than the front wheels. The Renault 5 Turbo was made in many guises, eventually culminating with the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo. With 8-valves, the 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four Cléon-Fonte engine produced 160 PS (158 hp; 118 kW) at 6000 rpm and maximum torque of 221 newton-metres (163 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm. Renault had about 250 dealerships in

4950-538: The economy models. The most significant changes were the adoption of a transversely-mounted powertrain from the 9 and 11 and MacPherson strut front suspension. The five-door version arrived in May 1985. The second generation launched in four trim levels: TC, TL, GTL, and Automatic. The entry-level TC had the 956 cc engine of ((31 kW (42 bhp), while the TL had the 1108 cc engine of (35 kW (47 bhp), and

5040-437: The first generation car, the bodyshell and platform were completely new (the platform was based on that of the bigger Renault 9 and 11 models); the styling was by Marcello Gandini . The new body was wider and longer with 20 percent more glass area, more interior space, and a lower drag coefficient of (0.35), as well as 4.10 L/100 km; 68.9 mpg ‑imp (57.4 mpg ‑US ) at 90 km/h (56 mph) in

5130-709: The introduction of the 1721 cc F2N engine in the GTX, GTE (F3N), and Baccara (Monaco in some markets, notably the United Kingdom). Diesel versions arrived in November 1985, mostly completing the range. It was planned to market the vehicle as a downsized successor, substituting the AMC Pacer in the United States, which affected the design of the R5. Within the alliance of Renault and the American Motors Corporation , only its predecessor

5220-460: The larger 1,289 cc engine, was added in early 1978. At the time, automatic cars usually represented just under five percent of the Renault 5 production. Door handles were formed by a cut-out in the door panel and B-pillar. The R5 was one of the first cars produced with plastic (polyester and fiberglass ) bumpers, which came from a specialist Renault factory at Dreux . These covered a larger area of potential contact than conventional car bumpers of

5310-516: The late 1970s and early 1980s. Heuliez built and sold van conversions as Le Car Van. The rear side panels were replaced with plastic panels incorporating a round porthole window and a new liftgate featuring a smaller window. The interior was red velour. It was available both in two- and four-seat versions. Between 1979 and 1983, about 450 Le Car Vans were built. U.S. Electricar , based in Athol, Massachusetts , performed electric vehicle conversions on

5400-460: The much later Fiat Punto and Volvo 850 estate/wagon , but the lights remained at a more conventional level. It was launched onto the right-hand drive U.K. market in the autumn of 1972, where alongside the recently launched Fiat 127 it competed as an imported but more modern alternative to British Leyland's Mini and Chrysler Europe's Hillman Imp — and without competitors from Ford or Vauxhall . The Renault 5 narrowly missed out on

5490-409: The name Gordini came from Amédée Gordini , a French car tuner with links with Renault and previous sporting models, such as the Renault 8 . Those cars and the Alpine Turbo models were assembled at Alpine 's Dieppe factory beginning in 1975. The U.K. launch price was £4,149 – nearly a third more than the previous top model, the 5 TS, at £3,187 – showing the considerable changes to the car, over

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5580-652: The new hatchback layout which Renault had pioneered on its R16 , launched in 1965. The R5 was launched a year after the initial, booted fastback version of the Fiat 127 (during the year, the 127 became available with a hatchback). The R5 was launched three years before the Volkswagen Polo and Vauxhall Chevette , and four years before the Ford Fiesta - new superminis which met the growing demand for this type of car in Western Europe . British Leyland

5670-467: The racetrack. Ossa won four Grands Prix races with the monocoque bike before their rider died after a crash during the 250 cc event at the 1970 Isle of Man TT , causing the Ossa factory to withdraw from Grand Prix competition. Notable designers such as Eric Offenstadt and Dan Hanebrink created unique monocoque designs for racing in the early 1970s. The F750 event at the 1973 Isle of Man TT races

5760-451: The ride height was lowered by 38 mm (1.5 in) in front while a new rear "four-bar" suspension, with a 31 mm (1.2 in) wider track, lowered the rear of the car by 32 mm (1.3 in). The car's steering, at 3 1 ⁄ 4 turns from lock to lock, was also faster than the regular cars. Disc brakes on all four wheels with ventilated rotors on the front. The aerodynamic 5.5-inch wide aluminium wheels were similar to those of

5850-467: The safety and surefootedness of the Mini's front-wheel drive/transverse engine package. That meant the addition of a hatchback and folding rear seats. The oil crisis in the 1970s was also argued to increase supermini market share. In 1976, Ford launched the Ford Fiesta which became popular. The segment began to be more popular in the 1980s. By the mid-1980s, the term supermini had become established as

5940-408: The same 782 cc engine as the Renault 4 and drum brakes on all four wheels. In 1972, it was priced in France at below 10,000 francs. However, for many export markets, the entry-level version was excluded from the range, and front-wheel disc brakes were offered on the more powerful 956 cc "Renault 5TL" along with features as an alternator and reclining backrests for the front seats. From outside,

6030-470: The same period. Fuel consumption has decreased by around 20 percent, and power-to-weight ratio has increased by 15 percent. Hatchback is the most popular body style for the segment. While the majority is equipped with five doors, many European-oriented hatchbacks was offered with both three-door and five-door versions, with 31 percent of European customers opting for three-door B-segment hatchbacks by 2007. The share has decreased to 13 percent in 2016 due to

6120-554: The shift of market preference which is moving towards prioritizing usability and practicality. As the result, by late 2010s, a number of manufacturers had stopped offering three-door versions of its B-segment hatchback models in Europe. Other body styles currently available in the segment in Europe are saloon (example: Dacia Logan ), estate (example: Dacia Logan MCV and Škoda Fabia Combi ), and coupe/convertible (example: Mini Cooper Cabrio/Convertible ). Performance-oriented versions of B-segment hatchbacks were developed and sold as

6210-457: The standard 5. Turbo lag was an issue, along with poor hot starting, and was considered rather difficult to control. The same engine was used in the Renault 9 and 11 Turbos . The regular 43-litre (9.5 imp gal) fuel tank was considered too small for the Turbo, and a 7-litre (1.5 imp gal) supplementary tank was installed at the rear left of the car, and the 5 GT Turbo also received an oil cooler. Suspension upgrades also meant that

6300-425: The time and survived low-speed parking shunts without permanently distorting. This helped the car gain a reputation as an "outstanding city car," and bumpers of this type subsequently became an industry standard. The R5's engine was set well back in the engine bay behind the gearbox. The passenger compartment "is remarkably spacious" compared to other modern, small European cars. The Renault 5 body's drag coefficient

6390-410: The unibody system (also referred to as unitary construction, unitary body–chassis or body–frame integral construction), in which the body of the vehicle, its floor pan, and chassis form a single structure, while the skin adds relatively little strength or stiffness. Some armoured fighting vehicles use a monocoque structure with a body shell built up from armour plates, rather than attaching them to

6480-465: The wooden hulls did, greatly improving performance. In the United States, Northrop was a major pioneer, introducing techniques used by his own company and Douglas with the Northrop Alpha . In motor racing, the safety of the driver depends on the car body, which must meet stringent regulations, and only a few cars have been built with monocoque structures. An aluminum alloy monocoque chassis

6570-494: Was 56% at introduction; this was to be increased steadily as production wore on. By 1979, the lineup was restricted to the GTL and the TS, both still with the 1289 cc engine but now with 34 or 46 kW (46 or 63 PS; 46 or 62 hp) ISO respectively. IMV from Novo Mesto , SR Slovenia , built several Renault models since 1972, including the Renault 5 for the Yugoslav market. The second generation R5, marketed as

6660-527: Was a base model, with vinyl seats and lap belts only, and the upmarket LS and LSS models. These received fabric interiors, side stripes, a vinyl roof, more sound deadening, and other comfort details. The LSS also included a central console and a full-length fabric sunroof. Many extras used in Europe, such as a rear window wiper and a tachometer, were unavailable in South Africa because it would make it impossible to meet local content regulations. Local content

6750-486: Was called the "Renault Go" because that is the Japanese word for "five". While initially sold with North American spec emissions equipment, it was changed to a French emissions package. The car was initially sold as left-hand drive, then upgraded to right-hand drive. Although the mechanical components came from earlier models, body construction involved floor sections welded together with the other body panels, resulting in

6840-659: Was developed in the 1970s as an informal categorisation, and by 1977 was used regularly by the British newspaper The Times . By the mid-1980s, it had widespread use in Britain. In Germany, the term "small cars" ( German : Kleinwagen ) has been endorsed by the Federal Motor Transport Authority ( Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt  [ de ] , KBA) equivalent to the B-segment. The segment accounts for 15.1 percent of total car registrations in

6930-514: Was discontinued in 1991 on the launch of the Clio 16-valve. A new 1.4 L engine with a catalytic converter engine used in the Clio was introduced during December 1992, which also marked the end of the R5 Diesel (retail market commercial fleet models kept this option). The most common variant available after the Clio had been introduced as a minimally equipped model named the R5 Campus until

7020-472: Was first used in the 1962 Lotus 25 Formula 1 race car and McLaren was the first to use carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers to construct the monocoque of the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 . In 1990 the Jaguar XJR-15 became the first production car with a carbon-fiber monocoque. The term monocoque is frequently misapplied to unibody cars. Commercial car bodies are almost never true monocoques but instead use

7110-486: Was further developed in Germany by LFG Roland using the patented Wickelrumpf (wrapped hull) form later licensed by them to Pfalz Flugzeugwerke who used it on several fighter aircraft. Each half of the fuselage shell was formed over a male mold using two layers of plywood strips with fabric wrapping between them. The early plywood used was prone to damage from moisture and delamination. While all-metal aircraft such as

7200-588: Was kept in production with the original Renault underpinnings for a little while longer as a lower-cost alternative. Assembly in South Africa began in late 1975, in Durban . The car was built in Toyota's local plant and sold through their network. The Renault 5 was only available with one engine, the 1.3 L unit used in the European R5 ;TS rated at 49.29 kW (67.0 PS; 66.1 hp) SAE. There

7290-460: Was marketed in the U.S. Renault used the naturally aspirated 1.7 L from the Renault 9/11 , with multipoint fuel injection, in addition to the sports-orientated 1.4 L turbo. Under the name GTE, it produced 70 kW; 94 hp (95 PS) with a catalytic converter. Although not as fast as the turbo model, it featured the same interior and exterior sports appearance, as well as identical suspension and brakes. The Baccara and GTX versions used

7380-458: Was offered in three-door hatchback form only from 1976 until 1980. For the 1980 model year, the front end was updated to include a redesigned bumper, grille, and rectangular headlights. A five-door hatchback body style was added in the 1981 model year. Sales increased each year, from 6,800 in 1976 to 37,000 in 1982. Although the Le Car did not see popularity in the U.S., it sold reasonably well in Canada. Imports from France continued through 1983, when

7470-439: Was only 0.37 (with most European cars going up to 0.45). Other versions of the first generation included the four-door saloon version called the Renault 7 built by FASA-Renault of Spain, where virtually all examples were sold. A five-door R5 was added to the range in 1979, making it one of the first cars of its size to feature four passenger doors. The three-speed automatic transmission model, which received equipment similar to

7560-426: Was produced in the 1950s using a monocoque hollow shell of sheet-steel pressings welded together, into which the engine and transmission were installed from underneath. The machine could be tipped onto its side, resting on the bolt-on footboards for mechanical access. A monocoque framed scooter was produced by Yamaha from 1960–1962. Model MF-1 was powered by a 50 cc engine with a three-speed transmission and

7650-546: Was recommended as one of "Britain's best bangers", by Car Mechanics Magazine because of the number of inexpensive, low mileage, full-service history, and used cars on the market. The Campus name was revived in 2005 with the Renault Clio II. A " hot hatch " version, the GT Turbo, was introduced in February 1985. It used a modified four-cylinder, eight-valve Cléon 1397 cc engine, a pushrod unit dating back to

7740-573: Was shown at the British Motor Show in 1978, with sales from 4 April 1979 in the U.K. – but as the Renault 5  Gordini , because Chrysler Europe already had the rights to the name "Alpine" in the U.K. They had just used it on the Chrysler Alpine , the U.K. badged RHD Simca 1307 , introduced at that time. It was months before the 1976 VW Golf GTi right-hand drive, which took Volkswagen three years to convert to RHD. Use of

7830-461: Was styled by Michel Boué, who designed the car in his spare time, outside of his regular duties. When Renault executives learned of Boué's work, they were so impressed by his concept that they immediately authorized a formal development program. The R5 featured a steeply sloping rear hatchback . Boué had wanted the tail-lights to go all the way up from the bumper into the C-pillar , in the fashion of

7920-436: Was very light since a major portion of its structural support was provided by its single-wall steel balloon fuel tanks , which hold their shape while under acceleration by internal pressure. Balloon tanks are not true monocoques but act in the same way as inflatable shells . A balloon tank skin only handles tensile forces while compression is resisted by internal liquid pressure in a way similar to semi-monocoques braced by

8010-509: Was won by Peter Williams on the monocoque-framed John Player Special that he helped to design based on Norton Commando . Honda also experimented with the NR500 , a monocoque Grand Prix racing motorcycle in 1979 . The bike had other innovative features, including an engine with oval shaped cylinders, and eventually succumbed to the problems associated with attempting to develop too many new technologies at once. In 1987 John Britten developed

8100-677: Was working on a new modern supermini during the 1970s, but the end product - the Austin Metro - was not launched until 1980. It was also introduced one year before the Toyota Starlet , while the Datsun 100A arrived in the UK starting in 1971. It was introduced six months before the Honda Civic , which appeared later in July. Sales in Japan began in 1976, when both the two-door and four-door were available at Capital Car Dealerships . It

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