Renault has stayed remarkably close to its retro-futuristic 2021 concept car with the production version of the 5.
It will be known as the Renault 5 E-Tech, and looks set to put some Va-Va-Voom back into the brand, with chunky styling, a cool interior, eager performance and a competitive price.
The squared-off silhouette dates right back to the 1972 original, while the wheel arch flares evoke the days of Group B when the mid-engined Turbo tore up tarmac stages. It’s grown in stature over the five decades but still remains compact at just 3.92 metres in length, making it shorter than a Clio, albeit 6 cm taller. 18-inch wheels are the biggest ever seen on the 5 and come in a Techno design straight off the concept car or a watch-inspired Chrono pattern. Making the 5 stand out even further from the crowd are Pop Yellow and Pop Green paint schemes, along with more conservative Arctic White, Diamond Black and Midnight Blue.
The cabin marks a return to simplicity with a stylish two-tier padded dashboard, a now-ubiquitous 10-inch digital display and cloth seats made from recycled plastics.
Of course the most significant difference between the new 5 and its predecessors is that it’s fully electric. Renault is to offer two battery sizes of 40 kWh and 52 kWh powering electric motors of 90 kW (120bhp) or 110kW (147bhp) and giving a potential maximum range of 248 miles. Crucially Renault has managed the mass and even the bigger-battery car weighs 1,450kg, which is actually less than the Zoe EV that the 5 will replace. Acceleration is a warm hatch-like 0-62 mph in eight seconds, with top speed pegged at 93 mph. Want to go faster? Then you’ll have to wait for the Alpine A290.
DC rapid charging allows the 110kW car to pull 100kW while the 90kW version sucks electricity in at 80kW. In either case 30 minutes is all it should take to go from 15 to 80 per cent charge.
Built on Renault’s new AmpR Small platform the 5 has a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, and a speedy steering rack that should make it more fun to drive.
There’s a long list of connected features powered by Google, a “virtual travelling companion” called Reno and a host of driver assist features including hands-free parking.
Renault is targeting a price of less than £25,000 for the 5, which seems like great value compared to rivals such as the £27,000 Fiat 500e and £30,000 Mini Cooper Electric. Deliveries start in early 2025 and early adopters can get on the list now by paying £150 for an R-Pass.
