Revealed back in February at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, the new Renault 5 is now testing on UK roads before its 2025 release.
Renault is in the midst of its ‘Renaulution’, a ridiculous term that evidently means it is electrifying models like the Renault 4, the Megane, Scenic and Twingo, and of course this car, the Renault 5.
Fans of the Renault 5’s distinctively retro styling confirm that the production-ready model looks almost identical to the concept car.
This represents the start of a new era for Renault, reinventing its heritage cars. The R5’s chunky proportions and compact five-door body look good on 18-inch wheels.
Compared with the concept, the headlights are slightly different, giving the car a more characterful face. They wink as you approach the car.
What looks to be an air intake on the bonnet is actually a small screen that relays charging information. Rear doors have handles hidden in the C pillar while at the rear is a simple 5 logo.
The 5 borrows technology from the Clio and Captur, although its platform – AmpR Small – is for electric cars only. It will also underpin new Micra. At just 3.92m long, the R5 is shorter than many of the conventional electric superminis that it will compete with.
What options?
There will be two battery sizes for the Renault 5, and two motor outputs of 90kW and 110kW (0-100 in less than 8sec). Range is likely to be from 300km (40kWh battery) to 400km (52kWh).
These have 225Nm and 245Nm of torque respectively. The larger battery model weighs around 1500kg.
Expect 80-100kW DC charging for the respective batteries. A 15-80 per cent top-up will take slightly less than 30min. Instead of a conventional heater, a heat pump will be standard fit, leading to more consistent range.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) compatibility is likely and has no negative impact on battery longevity.
Asked about pricing a Renault spokesperson said “We want to make it simple, accessible and essential. It needs to be an affordable product.”
While the final sticker price in the UK isn’t known yet, it goes for 25,000 Euros in France, and is expected to sell for less than Mini Electric ($NZ61k). It is being built in Douai, France by Ampere, and will go on sale in the UK early next year.
Renault spokespeople suggest a 15-year lifespan for the car before a new generation. Annual updates are likely.
What’s inside?
The interior of the new R5 is rather more conventional. There’s denim material made from recycled PET bottles and yellow recycled fabric on the seats.
A seven- or 10-inch digital instrument panel and a 10-inch central infotainment system are standard. Trim levels include Evolution, Techno and Iconic Cinq.
Standard items include keyless entry and start, 18-inch alloys, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and LED headlights.
Techno models come with Google integration, a reversing camera and wireless smartphone charging. Top-spec Iconic Cinq adds heated seats and steering wheel, along with parking sensors both ends.
The Renault 5 hold is 326 litres and all models run a multilink rear end. Expect a hot Alpine A290 version at some point.
In the future, it’s unlikely that bigger sib Clio will continue into the next generation, for it’s too expensive to make it meet emissions regulation. That’s why Renault will offer electric models like Twingo and Dacia Spring.
