The design was entrusted to Michel Boué, a student of Raymond Loewy. In his work, Boué also benefited from the fact that he was able to do without the classic bumpers and instead equip the R5 with innovative plastic bumpers. Which was good for the chic appearance of the car. The practical approach that the little Frenchman was supposed to offer also meant that the trunk was exactly as big as the capacity of a shopping trolley.
In January 1972 the time had finally come and Renault presented the finished car. And the R5 was a success from the start. In fact, in such a way that Renault had trouble processing all the orders, and corresponding delivery times were the result. In fact, a third of the orders came from young customers and a third from women. But the R5 should soon become a car for all generations, regardless of social positions. In 1974 it was the second best-selling car in Europe. Price in Austria: approx. 50,000 schillings.
