New 2024 Renault 5 E-Tech is a 248-mile electric city car with ‘sparkle’
The new Renault 5 has been fully unveiled, promising to add “sparkle” to the electric city car market as it challenges the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper.
The compact hatchback is the first car built on Renault’s new AmpR all-electric platform, which will also underpin the Alpine A290, Renault 4 crossover and a new Nissan Micra. It comes with a choice of two power outputs and two batteries, although only the higher-spec options will be available from launch.
The more powerful motor produces 148bhp and 181lb ft, which gives it a 0-62mph time of under 8 seconds. It is paired with a 52kWh battery that should give a range of up to 248 miles. As standard, there is 100kW charging, and the 5 will offer AC vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid bidirectional charging.
After launch, a 118bhp motor will be made available with a 40kWh battery equipped with 80kW charging and a range of 186 miles.
Both versions will feature a heat pump to maximise the battery’s efficiency.
Renault 5 design
The 5 is designed to be a true city car. At just 3.92m long, it’s 9cm shorter than the Clio but thanks to short body overhangs and the skateboard-floor EV platform, Renault says it offers “generous” interior proportions and a 326-litre boot. There’s even an optional baguette holder.
The five-door hatch’s design sticks remarkably close to the concept car revealed in 2021. Renault is keen to make a big deal of its connections to the original, innovative 5 – from the rounded-square shape of the bumper-mounted foglights, which are copied from the Renault 5 Turbo, to the squared-off wheel arch tops that echo the original car’s shape. Even the bonnet vent grille has been retained but now acts as a charge indicator which lights up the number 5 as the driver approaches.
The 5 isn’t designed to shrink into the background, with 18-inch wheels and eye-catching Pop Yellow and Pop Green shades among five launch colours, which can be paired with a gloss black roof and black, red or gold trim.
The interior is a truly 21st-century arrangement but with nods to the original in little touches like the rounded rectangle shape of the instruments. Two 10-inch digital screens dominate the dash – one for instruments, the other the multimedia system. The 5 also introduces Reno, a virtual assistant with a cutesy avatar that will, allegedly, help drivers learn more about their car and use it more effectively.
Some trim levels get denim upholstery made from recycled plastic bottles, while others use 100% recycled fabric for their vivid material finish. All versions get padded and stitched dashboard finishes in the same material as the seats. To keep things quiet in the cabin, Renault has applied the latest soundproofing from the Megane and Scenic E-Tech and fitted acoustic glass as standard to the 5.
Full specifications will be revealed later this year but there will be two initial trim levels – Techno and Iconic Five. All versions of the 5 will get keyless entry and start, wireless smartphone mirroring and charging, 18-inch alloys, a 10-inch infotainment screen and LED headlights with auto high beam. The Iconic Five adds heated seats and steering wheel along with hands-free parking and unique design features.
Renault is also promising near endless personalisation, with everything from roof decals and 3D-printed interior elements to replacement tips for the drive select lever.
Customer deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2025. Pricing is due to be announced in the coming months but is rumoured to be around £25,000. Buyers can’t order a Renault 5 yet but a £150 “R-Pass” will give them access to orders 10 days earlier than other drivers.
