Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The new Renault 5 E-Tech has taken the car world by storm. Not only does it look fabulous, it is also a small EV that is affordable and has decent range. But is it a true Cinq? To find out, Henry Catchpole has paired it up with an original Renault 5 GT Turbo to see if there are any similarities beyond the stylistic. His own Renault Clio 182 makes a brief cameo too!
The design - from the office of Gilles Vidal - is the first thing to catch your attention with the new 5 E-Tech, but you quickly realise that the appeal runs much deeper. For a start, it’s relatively affordable, with prices in the UK as low as £22,995. It also has a decent range of up to 250 miles with the larger 52kWh battery and at 1449kg with the footprint of a Clio 197, it isn’t one of those annoyingly deceptive EVs that looks small but isn’t.
Of course the new car was also an excellent excuse to have a go in an old GT Turbo. The car in the film is a beautiful 1990 phase 2 example owned by Andrew Fulcher and it drives fabulously. It’s a car that remains overshadowed by contemporary competitors like the Peugeot 205 GTI, but driving one today shows that there is a huge amount to love about the Renault. In many aspects it’s better than its more feted French cousin.
We also delve into the history of the Renault 5 and turn up a reason why the latest E-Tech really should make it across the Atlantic to America. If you haven’t heard of the Lectric Leopard, then you need to watch the film. The campaign for the resurrection of some Le Car branding begins here…!
If you happen to enjoy this latest film, then do please think about supporting the show and the wider Hagerty YouTube channel by giving a thumbs up or leaving a comment or even subscribing, if you haven’t already (thank you if you have). It really does help.
Presented in collaboration with Mobil 1.
#henrycatchpole #thedriversseat #neverstopdriving #hagertydriversclub
Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications! bit.ly/HagertyYouTube
Visit our website for an insurance quote, to join Hagerty Drivers Club, and for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: hagerty.com
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: hagerty.com/media/newsletter
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | facebook.com/Hagerty
Instagram | instagram.com/Hagerty
Twitter | twitter.com/Hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations
The Driver's Seat with Henry Catchpole
bit.ly/HenryCatchpole
Contact us:
Suggestions and feedback - videoquestions@hagerty.com
Press inquiries - press@hagerty.com
Partnership requests - partnerships@hagerty.com
The new Renault 5 E-Tech has taken the car world by storm. Not only does it look fabulous, it is also a small EV that is affordable and has decent range. But is it a true Cinq? To find out, Henry Catchpole has paired it up with an original Renault 5 GT Turbo to see if there are any similarities beyond the stylistic. His own Renault Clio 182 makes a brief cameo too!
The design - from the office of Gilles Vidal - is the first thing to catch your attention with the new 5 E-Tech, but you quickly realise that the appeal runs much deeper. For a start, it’s relatively affordable, with prices in the UK as low as £22,995. It also has a decent range of up to 250 miles with the larger 52kWh battery and at 1449kg with the footprint of a Clio 197, it isn’t one of those annoyingly deceptive EVs that looks small but isn’t.
Of course the new car was also an excellent excuse to have a go in an old GT Turbo. The car in the film is a beautiful 1990 phase 2 example owned by Andrew Fulcher and it drives fabulously. It’s a car that remains overshadowed by contemporary competitors like the Peugeot 205 GTI, but driving one today shows that there is a huge amount to love about the Renault. In many aspects it’s better than its more feted French cousin.
We also delve into the history of the Renault 5 and turn up a reason why the latest E-Tech really should make it across the Atlantic to America. If you haven’t heard of the Lectric Leopard, then you need to watch the film. The campaign for the resurrection of some Le Car branding begins here…!
If you happen to enjoy this latest film, then do please think about supporting the show and the wider Hagerty YouTube channel by giving a thumbs up or leaving a comment or even subscribing, if you haven’t already (thank you if you have). It really does help.
Presented in collaboration with Mobil 1.
#henrycatchpole #thedriversseat #neverstopdriving #hagertydriversclub
Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications! bit.ly/HagertyYouTube
Visit our website for an insurance quote, to join Hagerty Drivers Club, and for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: hagerty.com
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: hagerty.com/media/newsletter
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | facebook.com/Hagerty
Instagram | instagram.com/Hagerty
Twitter | twitter.com/Hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations
The Driver's Seat with Henry Catchpole
bit.ly/HenryCatchpole
Contact us:
Suggestions and feedback - videoquestions@hagerty.com
Press inquiries - press@hagerty.com
Partnership requests - partnerships@hagerty.com
