RENAULT- /REBOOT

Here are resonances of times past, of a carefree childhood in faded Kodacolor hues. Of heat-hazy French villages and yellow headlights. Of chaotic, vibrant Paris driving. Maybe a my-first-car in Nineties Britain.

But then, we’re car spods. When Renault sells its new electric 5, it won’t be able to rely on those fond memories. Not outside France anyway. In Britain and most of Europe, the original MkI and MkII Renault 5 have now shrunk to little dots in the popular consciousness’s rearview mirror. So barely anyone will actually spot that this is retro