The highlight of this year’s Geneva Motor Show is the new Renault 5. Formerly dubbed “Le Car” in the US, this compact car is making its comeback in Europe, now fully electric. After its discontinuation in 1996, the revamped Renault 5 is set to conquer city streets. The French automaker has stayed faithful to the original concept’s design, preserving its retro-futuristic aesthetic for the electric supermini, officially named Renault 5 E-Tech Electric.
Renault 5 Preview
Exterior
The appealing front lights and upright rear lights pay homage to the Renault 5 predecessor, as do the distinctive wheel arches. Renault opted to incorporate the back door handles at the bottom of the C-pillars to mimic a three-door appearance like the original. While the initial two iterations provided the option of three or five doors, the latest model is exclusively available in a five-door configuration. Certain variants feature red trim elements reminiscent of the R5 Turbo. Additionally, a high-performance hatchback is set to debut in 2024 as the Alpine A290.
Interior
In the cabin, the dashboard features vertical stitching reminiscent of its origins, alongside rectangular air vents. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment system are housed in a large frame, paying homage to past designs. Display sizes vary between 7.0 and 10.0 inches for the driver’s display, while the touchscreen consistently measures 10.0 inches diagonally.
Dimensions
Measuring 154.3 inches (3.92 meters) in length, 69.7 inches (1.77 meters) in width, and 59 inches (1.5 meters) in height, with a wheelbase of 100.0 inches (2.54 meters), the 2024 Renault 5 maintains a compact stature. Despite its size, it offers a cargo capacity of 11.5 cubic feet (326 liters) and rides on 18-inch wheels with 195/55 R18 tires. Utilizing the AmpR Small platform, formerly known as CMF-B EV, it falls between the Twingo and the Clio in size.
Powertrain
The lightest variant equipped with the smaller 40.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack weighs in at 2,976 pounds (1,350 kilograms), while the heaviest one featuring the 52.0-kWh battery clocks in at 3,197 pounds (1,450 kilograms). Opt for the base battery, and the front-mounted motor yields 95 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque (215 Newton-meters), or 120 hp and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm). Choose the upgraded battery, and the e-motor generates 150 hp and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm), resulting in 0 to 62 mph in less than eight seconds and 50 to 75 mph (80 to 120 km/h) in under seven seconds. At its maximum, the top-spec model is electronically limited to 93 mph (150 km/h).
Range and Charging
The standard battery offers a range of 186 miles (300 kilometers) in the WLTP combined cycle, while the enhanced version provides 249 miles (400 kilometers). AC charging maxes out at 11 kilowatts, with DC support at 80 kilowatts for the base pack and 100 kilowatts for the larger option. Charging from 15 to 80 percent takes just half an hour using DC for both batteries. Notably, the basic Renault 5, featuring a 95-hp motor, lacks DC charging capability.
Not typical for a vehicle in this class, electric or otherwise, the latest Renault 5 boasts a rear independent suspension with a multi-link setup. This adorable electric urban vehicle is equipped with bidirectional charging for powering household devices, a rapid cabin heating system via a heat pump, and regenerative braking for recharging the battery. A notable feature is the oversized 5 emblem on the hood, which also serves as an indicator light for the battery charge.
Price
The entry-level model is priced at approximately €25,000 in Europe, which translates to around $27,000 at current exchange rates. Renault will manufacture the revived R5 in France and plans to reintroduce the R4 as well, both fully electric like the upcoming Twingo successor. Teasers of both models have already been unveiled through concept cars, with market releases scheduled for 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Source and Images: Motor1