Renault backs the lure of retro

Design boss explains why evoking classics gives its EVS the jump on cold, bland rivals

- CHARLIE MARTIN

Renault is turning to retro design for its upcoming EVS as a means to differentiate its cars from "anonymous" and "cold" rivals.

Renault Group design chief Laurens van den Acker told Autocar that reinventing classic designs is "irresistible" for CEO Luca de Meo, who revived the Fiat 500 while boss of the Italian firm in the 2000s and, on arrival at Renault, green-lit the retro-styled 4 and 5 EVs for showrooms.

Van den Acker said: "I think there's this unsaid expectation that EVs should look a little bit anonymous, very fluid, very cold. I hope there's more richness in the future for EVS, and we're trying to do our best. The Renault 5 and Renault 4 will be full EVs, but they will be legendary icons. At the same time, the Mégane and the future Scenic are just very modern cars." "For a guy like Luca", added van den Acker, doing something with Renault's back catalogue "was irresistible".