Bespoke car company Autoforma, created by Dutch designer Niels van Roij, has revealed a unique version of the original Audi TT.
Look beyond the (slightly troubling) fact that the Mk1 TT is now considered old enough to become a restomod, and the car offers an appealing package of upgrades.
Specifically, the Autoforma TTS Restomod is a tribute to the concept car for the TT Roadster, first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995.
Although the production version of the TT looked almost unchanged from the concept car, there were numerous tweaks made to the original design, created by Freeman Thomas and J Mays.
With the TTS Restomod, Niels van Roij and Autoforma have subtly transformed the TT Roadster to resemble the open-top car that wowed the Tokyo crowds back in 1995.
Building on a design icon
Spotting the differences from a standard Roadster requires an anorak-level of appreciation for Audi’s Bauhaus-inspired original TT.
The car’s front bumper has been redesigned, with the lower air vents reduced in size to match the concept model.
A more obvious change is the addition of new vents behind the front wheels, as found on the show car. Highlighted by exposed torx screws, these feature indicator units hidden behind the mesh grilles.
Making the vents meant relocating the windscreen washer bottle to the boot, in order to free up space.
A subtle side intake featuring more torx screws is also tucked ahead of the rear wheels. And the rear bumper gains a new diffuser that partially hides the exhaust tailpipes.
The new components were created using 3D-printed carbon fibre, with more carbon fibre used for the larger body panels.
No spoilers, please
Bigger changes are evident at the back of the TTS Restomod, including the removal of the controversial rear spoiler.
Audi added the fixed lip spoiler to the original TT, combined with standard electronic stability control, following a series of high-speed accidents with the earliest production cars.
Ditching the wing, and smoothing the weld seams behind the boot lid, gives the TTS Restomod a much closer resemblance to the Tokyo concept car.
Its folding fabric roof has also been removed, replaced with a solid composite cover to emphasise the open roadster design. Autoforma has also added racing-style wing mirrors, attached directly to the front windows, just like the concept car.
The TT was resprayed in Audi Nimbus Gray Pearl Effect for its upper body, with a matte grey lower section to provide a contrast.
The Audi TT’s cabin already looked concept car-inspired, with this particular roadster benefiting from the attractive ‘baseball glove’ leather upholstery. As a result, no alterations were made inside.
All work was done to meet the requirements of leading Dutch designer Jos Baijens, who became one of the very first Audi TT owners back in 1998.
That Niels van Roij owns a TT Roadster himself, seen in the photos alongside Jos’s new restomod, undoubtedly brought an extra degree of enthusiasm to the build process.
Following completion of the TT Restomod, Niels van Roij commented: “The Audi TT is a symbol of top automotive design. With this project, we wanted to refine the original car to a level of detail and sophistication that brings the production model closer to the purity of the Bauhaus-oriented concept car.”
What modern classic cars should be next to undergo the restomod treatment? Let us know your nominations in the comments
“We’re seeing a very clear change in the market,” said Renault UK MD Adam Wood, “with more customers actively moving towards electric as the cost of running a petrol or diesel car comes under greater scrutiny.”
Enquiries for electric Renaults have increased significantly in recent months, revealed Wood, following the war in Iran.
“Becoming the UK’s best-selling EV so soon after launch is a strong indicator of that shift.”
Renault 5 improvements
To keep it competitive, Renault has announced a series of running updates for the 5.
A one-pedal driving mode will now be available on Techno trim and above. First seen on the Renault 4, this adds a fourth level of regenerative braking so drivers can slow down and even bring the car to a halt using just the accelerator.
Stricter safety standards have also meant the introduction of a driver monitoring camera, and Renault has introduced new personalisation packs – including ‘PoweR5’ decals for the rear wings.
There is an updated connected services package as well, with up to 2Gb of data per month allowed for using in-car apps.
Are you surprised to learn nearly half of new Renaults sold in the UK last month were electric? Would you consider a new Renault 5 E-Tech? Let us know in the comments.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which collates the new car registration figures, was keen to celebrate the success, but also to temper the April results.
April 2025 was an unusually weak month, it said, with car buyers pulling purchases forward to dodge the application of both VED (road tax) and the Expensive Car Supplement on electric cars.
This “underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market,” said SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes.
Two million EVs in the UK
April also saw Britain reach the milestone of two million electric cars on the road. Some 2,012,758 electric cars have now been registered in the UK, with last month’s sales alone up by 59 percent versus 2025.
EVs took a 26.2 percent share of the new car market last month. Add in plug-in hybrids, and ‘cars with a plug’ accounted for two in five of all new vehicles sold.
Petrol is still the single biggest fuel type, however, with a year-to-date share almost twice as large as electric cars.
What’s more, the 23.1 percent year-to-date share for electric cars is still some way off the 33 percent figure demanded by the ZEV Mandate.
“The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness,” warned Mike Hawes.
“The need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, else Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk.”
Most-registered cars in April 2026
After the shock of the Jaecoo 7 becoming the UK’s best-selling new car in March 2026, the Ford Puma returned to the top of the registrations chart in April.
Indeed, the Jaecoo only just made the top 10 last month. The Chinese firm will be buoyed by the performance of its sister brand, though, with the Omoda 5 placing sixth – ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Tiguan and MG HS.
The Kia Sportage returned to second place, both in April and the year-to-date figures, with both well clear of the Sunderland-built Nissan Qashqai in third.
The Mini Cooper was another British-built car to rank in the top five in April – a better performance than the year-to-date figures, which place it only ninth.
Top 10 best-selling cars: April 2026
1: Ford Puma – 4,211 cars
2: Kia Sportage – 3,645
3: Nissan Qashqai – 2,846
4: Volkswagen Golf – 2,845
5: Mini Cooper – 2,577
6: Omoda 5 – 2,308
7: Vauxhall Corsa – 2,236
8: Volkswagen Tiguan – 2,234
9: MG HS – 2,146
10: Jaecoo 7 – 2,099
Do you see any surprises in the latest new car sales figures? Are you one of those looking to buy a new electric car – or are you sticking with petrol? Let us know in the comments.
Do you welcome in the summer months with a sneeze? If you suffer with hay fever, bear in mind that taking medication before getting behind the wheel could mean you risk prosecution – or even a driving ban. You have been warned.
The same traffic laws apply to over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed drugs as to illegal substances. If your driving is impaired by hay fever medicine, you could end up with a criminal record. Not forgetting the risks of causing an accident, damaging your car and endangering the lives of yourself and others, of course.
Neil Worth, road safety officer at GEM Motoring Assist, explained: “Some medicines, including those used to treat hay fever, can have an effect on your ability to drive safely. They could make you tired, dizzy or groggy, and they can compromise your vision and reaction time.
“That’s why it’s so important to check with your GP or pharmacist, and to read any warnings on the labels of the medicines you plan to take.
Advice for hay fever sufferers
Here is a quick safety checklist for drivers who take hay fever medicine – consider these points carefully:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a medicine might affect your ability to drive. Be particularly careful if you are using a medicine for the first time.
If you experience potentially dangerous side effects from a medicine, don’t drive. Take public transport, book a taxi or organise a lift from a friend if you need to travel.
If you find a medicine is making you tired, ask if a non-sedating alternative is available. Studies have shown feeling sleepy at the wheel can impair your judgement as much as drinking alcohol.
It’s not just prescription medicines that can cause drowsiness and other potentially dangerous side-effects. Check with your pharmacist if you plan to use an over-the-counter drug, too.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any risks first. If you’re unsure about the warnings on the medicine label, don’t drive.
More than half drive after tablets
A study by comparison website Confused.com found that 58 percent of drivers who suffer from hay fever said they had driven a car shortly after taking medication, despite many remedies impairing performance behind the wheel. A worrying 10 percent said they had noticed adverse effects when taking prescription drugs.
It is illegal to drive if you’re unfit to do so because you’ve taken legal or illegal drugs. You could also be prosecuted if you have certain levels of illegal substances in your blood.
Legal medication is covered by the same drug-driving laws as the likes of cocaine or cannabis. Drivers are advised to consult the UK Government website for a list of the prescription medicines affected by the legislation.
‘Check the medication thoroughly’
Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards at IAM RoadSmart, explained: “If you are stopped by the police after taking a hay fever remedy and driving whilst impaired you could find yourself falling foul of drug-driving regulations.
“Be sure to check the medication thoroughly and see if it is suitable. But most importantly, concentrate on your route to recovery. That way you can get back onto the road sooner rather than later.”
IAM RoadSmart has the following advice for hay fever sufferers:
Ensure your car is clean and dust-free. Operate the air conditioning or ventilation to your advantage. Changing the pollen filter regularly is important, too.
Arrange to see your GP if you feel under the weather. If you haven’t been diagnosed with hay fever but need medication, avoid driving.
Blurred vision and drowsiness can be side-effects of over-the-counter medicines. Popular remedies for a runny nose and sneezing symptoms can also affect your driving.
If you need anti-histamine, take non-drowsy ones. If you’re unsure, read the leaflet or speak to your pharmacy.
When you sneeze at the wheel, you travel up to 50ft with your eyes closed. If you need to get somewhere but don’t feel well enough to drive, ask somebody else to help. The risk simply isn’t worth it
If in doubt, talk to your pharmacist and always read the label when taking medicines. Enjoy the sunshine, but always put safety first.
The British Motor Museum will host a special exhibition dedicated to the forthcoming Forza Horizon 6 video game.
Due to be released on 19 May 2026, Forza Horizon 6 will continue the hugely successful open-world racing franchise, with Japan the backdrop for the latest instalment.
Being developed by Midlands-based Playground Games gives the Forza Horizon series a strong connection to the UK automotive industry – prompting the British Motor Museum to celebrate the latest Microsoft Xbox title.
To mark the launch of the new game, the museum will host the UK’s first Horizon Experience exhibition, which runs from May to November 2026.
This will include an action-packed launch event on Saturday 23 May 2026, with Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, booked to officially open the Horizon Festival and Experience.
A one-day Forza Horizon festival
The British Motor Museum’s special one-day launch event will feature a huge display of iconic Japanese cars, along with a drift demonstration by precision stunt driver Tessa Whittock.
There will also be live music, gaming vans to allow attendees to experience playing Forza Horizon 6, and a host of food trucks to boost the festival vibe.
Developers from Playground Games will be present to talk about the process behind creating the new Forza Horizon title. Experts from RobocodeUK will also be running workshops to teach video game coding. Sessions can be booked through the British Motor Museum website.
After the initial launch, the Horizon Experience will continue to host an Xbox interactive zone, allowing museum visitors to play Forza Horizon 6.
Digital and physical car culture
The museum will display a number of cars featured in Forza Horizon 6. These range from JDM classics like the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Honda NSX-R, to new British cars such as the Bentley Continental GT Convertible.
A Lotus Emira, Jaguar C-X75 and Ariel Atom 500 will be other highlights, joining a Subaru Impreza 22B STI – and even a cult-classic Peel P50.
Peter Armstong, CEO of the British Motor Museum, said: “The British Motor Museum has always been a place where stories of motoring come to life. This exhibition allows us to take that further than ever before, to create a space where digital and physical car cultures meet, inspire one another, and are shared with new generations.
“Partnering with Playground Games enables us to connect with audiences in entirely new ways, and to position the museum firmly at the centre of this evolving cultural landscape”
Tickets for the Forza Horizon 6 Experience launch event can be booked now. The first 2,500 visitors will receive a limited-edition Forza Horizon-inspired wristband.
Very few UK car buyers actually purchase a car outright, with the vast majority using finance instead. In fact, more than 90 percent now opt for some form of credit rather than paying in full. Nearly half of used cars are purchased using finance, too.
After a long period of very low interest rates, monthly payments have crept up in recent years – and car prices have become notably more expensive, too. Nonetheless, with many people now used to buying on finance, this method of owning a car is here to stay.
In this short guide, we explain the different car finance options you could consider, including Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Personal Contract Hire (PCH) and leasing. Keep reading to discover which one is right for you.
Which car finance option suits you best?
So, you’ve made the decision to spread the cost of your brand new car. Now you just need to decide on a finance deal – and there really is no catch-all credit type. Some deals are simply leases, where you’re expected to hand the car back at the end. Others give you the option to own the car after a fixed number of payments.
Make sure you know exactly what you are agreeing to, and that you have understood the terms and conditions (i.e. the small print). The interest rate is key. Ensure you know what it is, how that translates into an APR (annual percentage rate) and how much more it will cost you to buy the car on credit.
To help you understand car finance, let’s go through some of the most common options on the market.
Hire Purchase(HP)
In the 20th century, this was Britain’s favourite way to pay for anything, from a cardigan in a catalogue to your next dream car.
A hire purchase agreement simply involves spreading the cost over a pre-agreed period – usually set from 12 months to five years. You’ll pay a fixed rate of interest during that time, but usually only a small deposit upfront.
If you want to keep the car at the end of the term, and it’s assumed you will, you’ll have to pay an admin fee to cover the cost of transferring ownership from the finance company to yourself. Up until that point, you are only the registered keeper, so you can’t modify the car in any way.
Conditional Sale
This agreement is actually the same as a Hire Purchase contract, except you will automatically own the car once the finance has been repaid in full, with no extra final payment.
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
This is really another term for leasing, as there is no option to buy the car at the end. Your monthly payments will therefore be lower than those on an HP deal.
Payments will also be based on your predicted mileage, however, so expect to pay a penalty if you exceed that. At the end of the term, you simply hand the car back (and perhaps lease a newer one instead).
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
The basic premise behind the PCP deal – and its runaway popularity – is that you only pay for the car’s predicted depreciation during the term of your contract. So that’s the difference between the value of the car when new, and its expected value when your deal ends – typically in three years’ time. The latter is often referred to as the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV).
Most cars lose around 40 percent of their list price during that period, so a £20,000 car could be worth roughly £12,000 after 36 months. That leaves you £8,000 to pay. Some of that is required upfront as a deposit, and the rest is due in instalments, at a fixed interest rate, for the duration of the contract period. This means the monthly payments are kept relatively low.
At the end of the deal, you’ll have the option to stump up the remaining £12,000 to buy the car in full – often referred to as the balloon payment. Or you may just decide to hand the car back, or indeed swap it for another car and a fresh PCP deal.
On that note, dealers will sometimes set the car’s GMFV deliberately low, so they can offer you a bonus chunk of equity when you come to settle up. But you’ll only be able to access this if you put it towards another finance deal. That’s how the car dealer keeps you on their books, and why so many motorists go back to the same brand again and again.
Let’s not forget, though, that it also means you’ve probably paid more in instalments (and therefore in interest) than you needed to in the first place.
Lease Agreement
This type of Conditional Sale is much the same as a PCP in that you’ll pay a deposit, some instalments and then a balloon payment at the end. The big difference is that buying the car at the end is not optional – you must ensure you have the funds to do that, and you will ultimately own the car at the end.
You can settle the finance and buy the car outright at any point during the term, however.
Personal Loan
Borrowing the money you need to buy a new car outright has its advantages, as you will immediately become the registered owner. You’re not bound by mileage restrictions either, and if you decide to upgrade the stereo or modify the car in any way, you can.
However, a loan is usually unsecured, so you can’t just hand the car back to clear the debt. Instead, you’d have to sell the vehicle, and the depreciation means there would undoubtedly be a shortfall (i.e. the car is worth less than it was financed for).
Credit card
The same advantages apply when you buy using a credit card. But you have the extra protection of Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (1974). This says that, if even a portion of your car is bought using a credit card, the credit provider is jointly liable for any breach of contract by the retailer. The sum has to be greater than £100, but can even apply to some other types of car finance.
The criteria is quite strict, particularly with regard to the relationship between the credit provider and the supplier, so it’s worth checking whether your contract qualifies.
Car finance: a final thought
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these options, you could simply take your lead from hundreds of thousands of other new-car buyers every year, and opt for a PCP. These are by far the most popular car credit agreements, accounting for around three out of four new car sales.
Adrian Dally of the Finance and Leasing Association says: “The PCP was introduced into the market by Ford, who brought it over from the States. Its success is due to both to price, and a cultural change in attitudes towards owning assets.”
Whichever product you choose, it’s worth remembering that, while you may have signed the paperwork at your local dealer, your contract is with the finance company. So if there’s a fault with the car itself, and not just the terms of the deal, then it’s the finance company you have to approach.
The good news is that there’s often more security in buying on credit as you have stronger return rights. That includes the 14-day cooling off period outlined in the Consumer Rights Act (2015). So if you change your mind for any reason, the vehicle transfers back to its supplying dealer.
Beyond that, if you’re unhappy with the way a complaint is being handled, you also have the backing of the Financial Ombudsman. Its job is to arbitrate, judge and resolve your case, which is initially assessed by its investigators. If it thinks your complaint is justified, and the dealer still won’t play ball, the case can be referred to an Ombudsman – a higher ranking investigator whose verdict ‘is final, and legally-binding to both parties, should the consumer accept it’.
Again, make sure you know exactly what you’re agreeing to before you sign on the dotted line. If still in doubt, you can find lots more information about car finance at the FLA’s consumer advice website, or visit the Financial Ombudsman’s advice pages for more information about the complaints process.
20-21 June: Icons of Porsche, Sunstede Silverstone Edition
A festival dedicated to Porsche, to mark 75 years of the brand in the UK. It will be hosted at the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone and will include demonstrations of Porsche race and road cars on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. You can buy tickets here.
27-28 June: Heveningham Concours, Suffolk
28 June: Ford Nationals, British Motor Museum
July 2026
3-5 July: British Grand Prix
5 July: National Metro & Mini Show, British Motor Museum
Look back at the 2026 events calendar so far… which of the below events will be on your radar for 2027?
20-22 February: Race Retro
For many enthusiasts, Race Retro marks the start of the annual events calendar. This year, there’s live action from 120 rally cars, historic race exhibits, celebrity motorsport talks and more. There’s also a flagship auction on Saturday 21st February, with cars once owned by Richard Hammond, Richard Hamilton and even King Charles II!
20-22 March: Classic Car & Restoration Show
Rustic gems, resto projects and pristine classics is the promise of the NEC Classic Car & Restoration Show. Over 1,300 classics are expected, from 160 car clubs, and more than 230 cars will be on sale, too. Meet star experts including Derek Mathewson, Mike Brewer, Paul Cowland, Sheldon Nichols, Steph Holloway and more.
28 March: AUTOBEST Conquest Live Show
This is something all-new for 2026. AUTOBEST, the largest independent automotive awards jury in Europe, is holding its first live AUTOBEST Conquest event on 28 March – where the 2026 winner will be revealed. You can vote now from the six finalists… Motoring Research director and UK juror Richard Aucock has already cast his vote. Tune in on the night to find out which of the six will be crowned AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2026.
11 April: Food & Fuel, Bicester Motion
12 April: GTI Spring Festival, Santa Pod
16-18 April: Salon Privé London
18 April: Pride of Longbridge, Cofton Park, Longbridge
The April event will celebrate the vee engine, with displays of both road and race cars, while Hangar 113 will mark a century of the Bicester Technical Site. A pioneering aircraft will be flanked by period cars.
Leading up to this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Caterham has revealed a special edition of its legendary Seven sports car.
Caterham has not competed in Formula 1 since the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the British company is getting in on the motorsport action this weekend.
The Caterham Seven Miami Special Edition is said to ‘celebrate the colourful automotive culture’ of the Floridian city. Just 12 examples of the two-seat roadster will be produced.
Designed for track-only use, 10 of the cars are available to buy through Caterham’s expanded North American retail network.
Last year, Miami-based Walt Grace Vintage become the seventh outlet for Caterham Cars in the USA.
Celebrating the spirit of Miami
Based on a Caterham Seven 420R, the Miami Special Edition has Art Deco-inspired Aqua paint, combined with vibrant pink and white decals.
The large Miami lettering on the rear of the Seven certainly stands out – with a silhouette of the Miami International Autodrome included for good measure.
On the inside, the Miami script is embroidered onto the headrests, with an individual numbered plaque on the dashboard. A second plaque is found in the engine bay, listing the names of the technicians who assembled the Seven.
Powering the Caterham Seven Miami Special Edition is a Ford Duratec 2.0-litre engine, which drives the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Outputs are 210hp and 150lb ft of torque.
With a kerb weight of just 560kg, accelerating from 0-62mph takes 3.8 seconds. The Seven can reach a top speed of 136mph.
British engineering comes to America
Caterham announced a new partnership with the Precision Drive Club earlier this year. The invitation-only, private membership community is based at the Miami circuit.
The partnership offers the chance to drive a Seven around the same track used by Formula 1 professionals.
Trevor Steel, senior vice president of operations at Caterham Cars, said: “Miami has become a global hub for elite motorsport and luxury automotive culture, so to have this moment to unveil the Miami Special Edition is truly unique.
“This car represents the very best of lightweight British engineering, and seeing the car launched and on display at the race weekend will be a significant moment for our brand.”
The Caterham Seven Miami Special Edition will make its public debut on Friday 1 May 2026, with an appearance on Race Street – located on the West Campus of the Miami International Autodrome.
Choosing to personalise your car with a bespoke paint job can come at a cost to more than just good taste, reveals new research.
On average, having a custom car colour sees UK drivers hit with an extra £338 on their annual car insurance premium.
The finding comes from analysis of data by insurance comparison website Compare the Market, which scrutinised the premiums paid by customers.
Across all British drivers, the current median annual car insurance premium stands at £598.
Opting for non-standard paintwork adds an average of £338 to this figure, with drivers paying a total of £936.
It acts as a reminder that even modifications that don’t boost a car’s performance can have a significant impact on premiums.
Visual flair brings bigger bills
According to Compare the Market, there are numerous potential reasons for insurers to make cover for cars with aesthetic modifications more expensive.
At its simplest, a bespoke paint job can mean greater repair costs following an accident. It could also add extra complexity to replacing a vehicle like-for-like, should it be written off.
With a fancy colour attracting more attention, it may increase the risk of the car being stolen, too.
Even simple exterior modifications can increase the cost of insurance. Additional driving lights add an average of £209 to an annual premium, while murals and exterior artwork typically boost costs by £125.
Even something as simple as non-standard stickers or decals can be viewed as a modification by an insurance company. These resulted in drivers paying an average of £135 more each year.
Insurance rules remain black and white
Unsplash / Erik Mclean
However, the cost of not informing your insurer about even simple visual modifications could be much more expensive than the increased premium.
Insurance companies take a dim view of not being notified about modifications, which could leave drivers without cover if they try to make a claim.
In addition, not all insurers provide cover for vehicles with modifications, meaning you should always check your policy before embarking on an automotive makeover.
Amy Rootham, insurance expert at Compare the Market, commented: “Many drivers may assume only performance-enhancing modifications affect the price of insurance, but our analysis shows that cosmetic upgrades can also be costly. Something as simple as choosing a unique paint colour or fitting custom lights could add hundreds of pounds to your annual insurance premium.
“Before making any changes to your car, it’s worth informing your insurer. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy, which could be detrimental in the event of a claim. If you’re still considering which modifications to get, consider comparing insurance quotes in advance to understand the full cost implications attached before making any changes.”
A fan-created Lego version of the forthcoming Renault 5 Turbo 3E is being backed by the French car company.
Created by British enthusiast Dave Collins, the scale replica of the extreme hot hatchback has been submitted to Lego for consideration.
However, the block-based Renault 5 Turbo 3E needs 10,000 votes of support to progress to the next stage, where Lego investigates making it a production reality.
Renault has asked the public to get involved, urging fans of the original Renault 5, and the new electric E-Tech version, to register their interest in the Lego model.
Since being added to the Lego Ideas website on 15 April 2026, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E has already attracted more than 2,300 supporters.
Renault needs your help now
An engineer from Newton Abbot in Devon, Dave Collins grew up playing with Lego. He rediscovered his love for the hobby during lockdown in 2020, and has since designed several of his own bespoke Lego vehicles.
“I had Lego and Technic as a kid, and as an engineer I have an inherent need to design. I love getting details right,” said Collins.
“Angular cars are easier to do in Lego, so the R5 was a natural choice. Plus it looks great, and it’s immediately recognisable as an update of the eighties classic. I’ve certainly tried to race a few off the lights in my youth.”
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is the fourth Lego MOC (My Own Creation) by Collins, and features more than 1,200 pieces to create the 1:12-scale replica.
Collins spent three months refining the design to ensure it accurately matched the 555hp miniature supercar. This included using AutoCAD to create the bespoke exterior decals.
An icon of the 1980s in miniature
The possibility of his design becoming a reality would be a dream come true for Collins. “If Lego were to consider it, that would be a great boost… and who knows where that might lead,” he explained. “If they actually made a set, I think that would be great for Lego, Renault and for me.
“The car is iconic with people who grew up in the eighties, and the look and power of the electric R5 appeal to all ages now. So I truly believe it would be a success.”
Having the weight of Renault behind it can only add to the chances of the 5 Turbo 3E being made. However, first it will need to accrue the all-important 10,000 votes.
Supporters need to sign up for a free Lego account, and then place their vote by visiting Dave’s creator page on the website.
Should it become a reality, the Lego version will certainly cost less than the £140,000 required for a full-size Renault 5 Turbo 3E.
