There will undoubtedly be a before and after the electric Renault 5. When we talk about “before”, by the time you read these lines, we may already be past it because Renault has decided to open orders for its new 100% electric French city car on Friday, May 31, 2024. Just a few days after details on the different finishes and prices were revealed, starting at € 33,490 excluding bonuses. Presented at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show in early March, it has all the makings of a commercial success. At least in France, as it obviously awakens memories of its ancestor of the same name. And indeed, just a few days after its unveiling, Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive claimed a waiting list of some 50,000 potential buyers. Exciting times ahead!
She’s a big girl!
The new electric R5 E-Tech can proudly claim the slogan of its sister, the Clio: “she’s a big girl.” Starting with the design, because in an evolving electric automotive landscape, due to different constraints from traditional engines (no front engine, little or no need for cooling and therefore no grill, more interior space), Renault chose a certain nostalgia. But a joyful, colorful, tangy nostalgia that obviously harks back to the original R5, with a neo-retro recipe that only a few icons, like the Mini Cooper or Fiat 500, can master. Until now at least! This is the kind of car that will quickly make you forget about the Zoe!
The choice of embedded technology, with the latest generation OpenR Link system with integrated Google, which has proven successful in the Mégane and Scenic E-Tech, makes it a decidedly modern and attractive car. Not to mention its range that allows it to easily venture beyond city centers: up to 410 km with the large 52 kWh battery.
The pride of a French car
This Renault 5 electric E-Tech also awakens a bit of chauvinism. As the little tricolor flags in the headlights suggest, or the baguette holder inside, and without being misleading (our gaze towards Italy…), it is made in France. Specifically, in the Douai factory (North, 59), on the same production lines as the Mégane and Scénic E-Tech. Moreover, its electric motor also comes from France, from Cléon (Seine-Maritime, 76), while Renault has made sure to develop a short supply chain (not to be confused with a short circuit), with suppliers located within a radius of 300 km around the ElectriCity hub. However, the accumulator cells from Envision will come from China until 2025…
The Renault 5 E-Tech is also competitive in terms of price. Although it may not be affordable in the launch versions, the Renault 5 Techno and Renault 5 Iconiq Cinq, which are rather high-end finishes, and currently only equipped with the large battery. Nevertheless, as we have seen, even in this configuration, it is quite competitive compared to the competition! But the real breakthrough will be the €25,000 version. However, this will only be available after the introduction of the small 40 kWh battery, promising 300 km of urban autonomy. Expected in 2025.
It remains to be seen how some charging-related systems and V2G technology, which allows for bidirectional charging to recharge when electricity demand is low and inject back into the grid when demand is high, will perform in reality. Once again, the Renault 5 rises to the occasion by being one of the first to offer a system that is expected to develop in the future, promising savings for its owners.
… and the Alpine A290!
Renault’s electric Renault 5 E-Tech festival will take on another dimension with the presentation in a few weeks, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, of its sporty version. A model not branded Renault Sport, but Alpine, like the prefiguring concept called Alpine A290. Not much is known about this beefed-up version of the R5 yet, but the unveiling is set for June 13th! This Renault R5 E-Tech officially begins its career. Regardless of its commercial success, this model will mark a milestone at Renault, at least for all the reasons mentioned. Now, we are excited to see the Renault 5 E-Tech on the road, and especially to be able to try it out!