Here it is - the one we’ve been waiting for - the all-new, all-electric Renault 5 E-Tech.
It’s been a three year tease since Renault first gave us a glimpse of the rejuvenated 5 as a concept car back in 2021.
Now the rebirth of the Renault 5 - a car that originally sold in big numbers from 1972 to 1985 - is complete, and seen here in full for the first time.
You will, though, have to wait a little while longer to get your mitts on one, as deliveries aren't expected until the beginning of 2025.
First thing’s first - looks good, doesn’t it? Renault has managed to walk that fine line between retro and modern with some skill.
Style wise, the Renault 5 E-Tech is actually a blend of three different 5s from the past - the regular Renault 5, the Supercinq (which replaced the original 5 in the mid-1980s), and the iconic Renault 5 Turbo hot hatch.
It’s the Turbo that gives the new 5 E-Tech its wing extenders and aggressive attitude, while rectangular lights in the front bumpers hark back to the Turbo’s fog lamps.
Most of all, Renault says the 5 has been designed to put a smile on your face. A spokesperson adds: “Fun, iconic, innovative and in tune with modern times, the Renault 5 is back, reinvented to bring some sparkle to the world of compact electric vehicles.”
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric is described as a ‘small, nimble city car’, which is 9cm shorter than a Renault Clio but boasts similar amounts of cabin space.
The 5 E-Tech will be launched with the option of five different body colours - two of them being the head-turning ‘Pop Yellow’ and ‘Pop Green’, which are inspired by shades available in the 1970s.
One of the signature features of the original Renault 5 was the vent grille positioned in the top right hand side of the bonnet.
That has been cleverly reimagined for the modern car, with the ‘grille’ now becoming a digital display that tells you how much charge is left in the battery.
The cabin gets a two-tier padded dashboard, which is again reminiscent of the old 5, while the seats take inspiration from the R5 Turbo and are upholstered in a special denim made from recycled plastic water bottles.
Unlike the Renault 5 of old, lease customers will enjoy a 10-inch digital instrument panel alongside a 10-inch infotainment screen, the latter of which features full Google integration so that all your favourite apps are accessible. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is par for the course.
You also get Renault’s new digital, voice-controlled avatar, a little character called ‘Reno’, who helps you to learn about what the car can do. You might tell it ‘Hey Reno, schedule a charge for 8am tomorrow’, or even, ‘Hey Reno, how do I change a tyre?’.
As for how the 5 E-Tech drives, Renault reckons it’ll have ‘unrivalled agility’ in its class, thanks in part to multi-link rear suspension that’s typically reserved for vehicles higher up the food chain.
All Renault 5 E-Tech models will come with a heat pump as standard, which helps to boost efficiency even if it’s Baltic outside.
And, speaking of powertrains, you’ll be able to choose between two batteries.
The largest is a 52 kWh unit that provides a range of up to 248 miles as well as power of 150 hp and 245 Nm of torque. A smaller 40 kWh battery unlocks a 186-mile range, power of 120 hp, and 225 Nm of torque.
The most potent Renault 5 E-Tech will be able to accelerate from 0-62mph in less than 8 seconds. But if you want something with a little more shove, check out the incoming Alpine A290, which is based on the Renault 5 but which is expected to boast power of up to 220 hp.
Charging should be a doddle, thanks to a new 11 kW AC bidirectional charger featuring V2L (vehicle-to-load) wizardry for connecting a device to the vehicle battery, and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) for feeding electricity back into the grid and saving dosh on home charging.
Hook-up the Renault 5 to a fast charger (the smaller battery supports 80 kW DC while the larger one enjoys 100 kW DC) and you’ll replenish the energy from 15-80% in 30 minutes.
The Renault 5 E-Tech also comes loaded with safety tech, including intelligent adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking in reverse, front sensors with emergency lane keeping, rear sensors with emergency lane keeping, and rear occupant safe passenger exit.
Opt for the range-topping ‘Iconic Five’ variant and you’ll also get heated seats and a steering wheel, hands-free parking, and front as well as rear and side obstacle sensors.
Further details will be revealed in due course - including the price tag - so we’ll bring you that news as and when it arrives.
Rivals to the Renault 5 E-Tech will include the MINI Cooper Electric, Peugeot E-208, and the multi award-winning MG4 EV.
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