RENAULT 5 DIAMANT - Today, the focus is on a new collaboration between Renault and French designer Pierre Gonalons. Renault decided to collaborate with a prominent designer who ranks among Architectural Digest's 100 leading creators and represents French arts and crafts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this iconic model. The Renault 5 Diamant show car resulted from discussions between Pierre Gonalons and the Renault Design Colours & Trims team. An electric vehicle that captures the designer's vision of the future car, combining automotive and interior decoration hallmarks.
“I am honoured by Renault’s invitation to reinvent the mythical Renault 5 for its 50th anniversary. The brand gave me free rein to design my dream car. As I see it, the Renault 5 embodies a pop, upbeat and categorically contemporary lifestyle. What I wanted to do with the Renault 5 Diamant was pay tribute to its revolutionary design and at the same time transfer the shapes and colours in my universe to the automotive world.” says Pierre Gonalons
Pierre Gonalons was inspired by the decorative arts, particularly fine jewellery, as evidenced by several delicate and innovative details. The Renault 5 Diamant has retained the instantly recognisable look and the unmistakable shape of the original "Supercar," which first rolled off Renault assembly lines in 1972. But, beyond the familiar silhouette, a lot has changed. The first modern touch is under the hood: a completely electric engine. Visually, the design incorporates first-rate details to create an all-new, sophisticated effect that entices you to take a closer look.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
From the outside, the body has been streamlined to highlight the Renault 5's distinctive lines. The typical extras were purposefully removed from their surroundings, and their shape and finish were emphasised. The head and rear lights have gem-like faces, and the wide wheels, which are carried over from the Alpine version, are smoother and feature a sun in the centre, a symbol dear to Pierre Gonalons.
The exterior colour is a combination of three layers of paint: golden pigments on a pink base, frosted varnish, and a variety of effects ranging from golden dashes in the sun to bluer tones in the dark. The interior is incredibly slim. Pierre Gonalons simplified the car, relying on expertise from Renault Design and the artisans involved in this project. The door handles, window winders and shift lever all have truncated spheres with distinctly Parisian hints, such as brass gilded with pale gold, stainless steel, and hard-wearing materials. The steering wheel is marble on carbon, and its unusual shape makes it no less driver-friendly. The car's key was also given a makeover.
All the while, Renault's expertise is being used to ensure that the car is completely realistic and compelling and that the functional elements are unaffected. The Renault 5 Diamant is also loaded with technology. Aside from being all-electric, it has a fingerprint scanner to unlock the doors and, as an all-electric vehicle, a three-position sequential shift lever (forward, neutral, reverse). Three-round digital dials pay homage to the art of clockmaking by displaying the essential information: speed, battery charge, and time. The owner's smartphone, which fits in a dedicated cradle in the dashboard's centre, can conveniently supply navigation and infotainment.
Renault 5 Diamant is stunning down to the smallest details. It is made from high-quality materials supplied by artisans renowned for their unrivalled expertise and fine craftsmanship. The show car, for example, is brimming with the expertise of Design et Solution, a company that specialises in producing exceptional vehicles and was tasked with the development, assembly, and finishing touches.
DESIGN DETAILS
Several artisans who regularly collaborate with Pierre Gonalons contributed their knowledge to this project as well. The steering wheel and storage compartment are made of French Grand Antique d'Aubert marble recycled by Minéral Expertise and cast into tubes to make it lighter and more malleable; the fabric covering the seats and the horsehair fabric covering the dashboard were produced by textile editor Métaphores, the world's only workshop that still weaves horsehair by hand; and the mohair wool carpet is made by Pinton, one of France's last tapestry artisans.
Renault has decided to enter the NFT universe after building enthusiast communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube, and most recently by establishing official pages on TikTok and Pinterest.
Renault and Pierre Gonalons will also create a large collection of NFTs inspired by the Renault 5 Diamant, which will be unveiled in September, for this project. The Renault 5 Diamant, along with its NFT digital twin, will be auctioned off a few weeks later. The proceeds from the sale will go to Give Me 5, the brand's new CSR project aimed at reaching out to young people through sports and music.
