Renault 5 EV imagined as a jacked-up Safari hatch

There's a lot of dreaming on display here, but if only as a flight of fancy, I'm into the idea.

German tuning house Delta 4x4 has sketched out a rally-inspired concept based on the new Renault 5 EV, and it’s a properly mean (looking) machine.

They've thrown the catalogue at it: a 100mm suspension lift, chunky 18-inch all-terrain tyres, wide fender extensions, and a bank of PIAA LED spotlights. It’s a fantastic visual tribute to the original R5 Turbo's rally heritage.

Delta 4x4 has floated this as a digital concept to gauge interest for a conversion kit.

While the rugged aesthetic is appealing, the extra weight and drag from the off-road gear would undoubtedly slash the R5’s 400km range, let alone acceleration.

Of course, as a digital imagining, I can only assume that beneath the virtual exterior is the standard, single-motor, front-wheel-drive Renault 5 E-Tech. That means it's front-wheel drive and only putting out 110kW – but, of course, there's always a way to improve that.

☝️ Start with the Alpine A290, for example, or the new A290 Rallye with its competition-ready additions. (Still 4X2, though.)

Or, if the budget's there and buyers are willing, add a motor to the rear. It's a lot more work, but what a folio piece!

For now though, it’s a potent piece of automotive fantasy that’s probably best left on the screen.