Renault’s greatest hits

01 Renault 4

A proper people’s car, like the Citroen 2CV or VW Beetle, that remained in production for some 33 years between 1961 and 1994. Over eight million were produced and sold all over the world. Due for an EV revival sometime in the next few years...

02 Renault 5

So too is the Renault 5. One of the first modern era superminis, launched a few years before the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta, for many years it was France’s bestselling car. Spawned mad, mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo homologation special.

03 Renault Megane

Renault’s crack at the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. The ordinary ones have never been top of the class, but the RenaultSport versions have always been special things. Some of the most focused, hardcore road-going hot hatches have been Meganes.

04 Renault Clio

Effectively replaced the Renault 5. Routinely one of Europe’s bestsellers. Like the Megane, there have been some spectacularly fast ones over the years, from the Clio Williams in the Nineties through to the Clio 200 – one of the best hot hatchbacks of all time.

05 Renault Espace

Renault arguably invented the MPV as we know it today. It was going to be a Talbot, but then Renault got involved after PSA decided the concept was too radical. Wasn’t immediately successful – Renault sold just nine in its first month on sale – but it soon took off.

06 Renault Twingo

The original Twingo was LHD-only, so never officially sold in Britain. But it was a very cleverly designed thing and incredibly popular, especially in its native France. We did get the follow-ups – the third-gen was a tie-up with Smart, sharing its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform.

07 Renault Avantime

Weirdest car Renault has ever put on sale by a reasonable margin. A remarkable looking, uniquely French, two [massive] doored GT. Didn’t last long before it was consigned to the history books, Renault having sold far fewer than it would have wanted. Shame.

08 Renault Zoe

With what feels like every car manufacturer racing to launch everyday EVs, it’s easy to forget Renault has had one on sale since 2012. The humble Zoe is affordable, can travel a long way on a charge and feels... decidedly normal. In a good way. Always near the top of EV bestseller lists.

09 Renault Twizy

A tiny, urban EV that seats two tandem-style, can travel up to 56 miles on a charge (if you’re careful) and costs around £12,000. Less a rival for other EVs, more so for scooters and mopeds, the Twizy is brilliantly weird and great fun. Unless it’s raining.