Fun, iconic, innovative and in tune with modern times, the Renault 5 is back, reinvented to bring some sparkle to the world of compact electric vehicles.
The original Renault 5 sold over 5.5 million units across five continents from 1972 to 1985. Always ahead of its time, it was the first car to achieve fuel consumption below the symbolic 5 litres/100km at 90km/h, and was even available in an electric version as far back as 1974. It was visionary to the end, marking the beginnings of eco-design with a roof made from bonded natural fibres, unrivalled interior space and innovative style.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric, faithful to the 2021 concept car, harks back to this glorious past while building on the enduring love-affair it shared with many. Yet it is also the epitome of modernity, from its all-electric AmpR small car platform through to its agile handling and cool, new technology. That includes Reno, the avatar who is ready to partner you on every journey, and a unique charging indicator on the bonnet.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric is planned to arrive in the UK in Q1 2025, with specification and prices to be announced in due course. Customers keen to be among the first behind the wheel can purchase an R-Pass, for £150, to place their order 10 days earlier than everyone else.
A unique and emotive design
In the collective memory, Renault 5 is not just the original model launched in 1972. Renault 5 E-Tech electric fuses evocative design cues from three models: Renault 5 and Supercinq for their overall look, and Renault 5 Turbo for its wing extenders and attitude, sitting squarely on the road.
Unique in the Renault range, the light signature features two rectangles with rounded corners positioned in the front bumper, in the same place as the fog lamps on the Renault 5 Turbo. A floating design with the same rectangular effect is etched into the glass of the full LED headlamps.
While the wheel arches are circular, the structure of the wings echoes the characteristic shape of the arches on the original Renault 5. The colourful roof trim (in black, red or gold), the deep red of the vertical rear lights and the vibrant colours of the bodywork also bring to mind the original Renault 5 and its ability to make the city look brighter.
Modern proportions
Over 50 years, vehicle proportions have changed considerably. Setting the tone, Renault 5 E-Tech electric is modern in every way, with large 18-inch wheels at each corner, and minimal overhangs in a car less than 4m long (3.92m). The wheels are flush with the body, with wide tracks (1.55m at the front and 1.53m at the rear).
All these features appeared on the 2021 show car, which was designed without compromise. Drawing upon the latest prowess in engineering, these proportions have been maintained in the production model.
More compact than it looks
A vehicle of attractive proportions, Renault 5 E-Tech electric is nevertheless the same size as a small, nimble city car. At 3.92m long, it is just 9cm shorter than Clio. The optimised wheelbase (2.54m) – a promise of generous interior space – with very short overhangs is just 4cm shorter than on Clio. The width of 1.77m adds to the car's on-road presence without compromising its agility on city roads. Ideally sized with its underfloor battery, it stands 1.50m tall, just 6cm higher than Clio.
A reinvented vent grille
The vent grille on the bonnet of the original car has been reinvented to keep up with the times. Today, it is a charge indicator in the form of the iconic number 5. When the driver approaches the vehicle, it lights up, illustrating the close interaction between human and machine. Another example of a humanised interface is the welcome sequence of the eye-shaped LED headlights, which ‘wink’ at the driver as they approach. Absent from the original Renault 5 but vital today for optimal efficiency are the aerodynamic features. Today, they are present but invisible, like the streamlined glass placed over the rear lights to optimise the airflow.
A two-tier padded dashboard
Inside Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the dashboard stylishly combines the most outstanding features of several generations of Renault 5: for example, the two-tier structure facing the passenger, the padded transverse layout, and the rectangular instrument cluster with rounded edges. On the Iconic Five high-spec trim level, the “Renault 5” signature can be seen on the black horizontal trim facing the passenger above the "padded" area, which with its elegant backlighting adds an extra touch of luxury and high-tech design.
The same attention to aesthetic detail can be seen in the design of the air vents. Breaking from the usual standardised, transversal design, they borrow the design of the light signature on the front end of the car.
Iconic seats and upholstery
The strikingly modern design of the seats is inspired by the iconic R5 Turbo, with its H-shaped feature, a reminder that Renault was extremely innovative in this area in the 70s and 80s.
Robust, original and welcoming, the denim upholstery makes a stylish contribution to the fun nature of Renault 5 E-Tech electric. Made from 100% recycled plastic (PET) water bottles, this denim fabric is used on the seats, dashboard and door panels on the Techno version.
A symbol of bold design and a prestige signature, the Iconic Five blazes with colour for a high-spec vintage finish. The seats are upholstered in grey fabric, with the H in heather yellow, and a large printed '5', also in yellow. This upholstery is made from 100% recycled fabric.
Large horizontal screen
A dual horizontal screen gives a contemporary, high-tech, fun look to the interior of Renault 5 E-Tech. Facing the driver is a 10-inch digital instrument panel displaying driving information in full, with a choice of five different views. The central multimedia screen is also 10-inch. It is powered by the OpenR Link system with Google built-in for the Techno and Iconic Five trim levels.
The capacity of a true multi-purpose city car
Although Renault 5 E-Tech electric is just 3.92m long, positioned between Clio II and Clio III, it rivals Clio V for interior space, thanks to its AmpR Small platform and 2.54m wheelbase. For interior width in particular, it provides 1.38m at the front and 1.36m at the rear with the three-seater bench.
The battery is placed under the floor to provide generous boot capacity of 326 litres (277 dm3 VDA). This places the car at the top end of the electric city car segment, and even ahead of several bigger traditional ICE-powered city cars. Easy to access with its high floor, the boot can also be divided using the 60-40 split/fold three-seater rear bench.
A further 19 litres of storage capacity is provided by various compartments around the cabin. This space can be configured and customised using 3D-printed accessories, including a tongue-in-cheek baguette holder.
18-inch wheels for everyone
The standard 18-inch wheels are a key feature in the ideal proportions of Renault 5 E-Tech electric. The 195/55 R18 tyres come with alloy wheels across the range. The 'Techno' wheel features the same design as the 2021 show car, and is the only one to swap its central diamond for a red '5'. The 'Chrono' wheel on the top-of-the-range Iconic Five trim level resembles a watch face with a hand for each hour, but showing only the number 5, a nod to the name of the model, when the central logo is vertical.
