The Geneva international show is unfortunately this year only a shadow of the flamboyant winter automobile meeting that it was in the past. However, this 2024 edition will have been marked by the official unveiling of the highly (much) anticipated new Renault 5 E-Tech electric.
The endless teasing ended on February 26 at 8:30 a.m. The resurrection of a French automobile icon is underway. After 14 million copies of Renault 5 and Super 5 sold between 1972 and 1996, the legendary badge is making a comeback.
After three years of waiting, prototypes and other showcars presented at numerous events and at several shows, Luca de Meo has lifted the veil on the definitive version of the Renault 5 E-Tech“ much more than a car! » in his own words.
25,000 euros, but not right away
Planned in the long term “ with an entry price of around 25,000 euros » according to the manufacturer, the first Renault 5 will be marketed in their more high-end versions, with a large battery and more attractive equipment. You will have to wait until the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025 to access a more popular Renault 5. But already, we can underline the fidelity of the final version on the first concepts.
With features and proportions evoking those of his illustrious ancestors, Luca de Meo replays the nostalgia card, as he had already done with Fiat with the 500 of 2007 which took up the features of the Italian city star of the 60s with a scale adapted to the needs of the 2000s.
If the Renault 5 E-Tech 2024 is positioned in the city car segment, it has also necessarily grown a little compared to the original version from 1972, but remains particularly compact in the current automotive landscape. With its 3.92 meters long and 1.77 meters wide, it lengthens by 40 centimeters, widens by 25 centimeters and increases by 10 centimeters in height, reaching 1.50 m.
It thus fills the gap that exists between a Fiat 500e (3.63 m) and a Peugeot E-208 (4.05 m). As for its mass, it ranges from 1,350 to 1,450 kilos, depending on the installed battery. The chest claims 326 literswhich is significantly better than that of the Fiat (185 liters) or the Peugeot, although larger (265 liters). The R5 also does better than the Clio (4.05 m and 254 liters)!
A style consistent with the concept
Style-wise, we appreciate the respect given to the concept. At the front, the square LED daytime running lights evoke the secondary optics of the original R5 while integrating a reminder directly inscribed in the thickness of the optics, just as a discreet tricolor flag marks the interior of the headlight . And like the 1972 model, everything gives the impression of a human gaze. At the rear, if the large Renault light strip of the prototype gives way to the number plate, the air intake located below increases in size.
Profile view, the rims are also faithful to those of the concept, just like the air flow vents set back from the front fenders. The door handles, on the other hand, are no longer flush at the front, but quite classic, while on the roof a shark antenna takes place.
An interior between tradition and modernity
The interior, however, is a total discovery, having been carefully hidden on the concepts. Obviously, if it basically has little to do with that of the first Renault 5, the inspirations are nevertheless perceptible particularly in the ribbed textures that we find here and there in the materials, or even in the style of the seats which are reminiscent of the turbo versions of the 1980s.
For customization, 3D printing technology offers a wide variety of clip-on decorative elements as well as additional storage solutions with custom lids. Among the products available, all manufactured in 3D at the Flins factory in France, we can cite a large central storage offered in three different patterns and two colors, a small central storage offered in three different patterns and two colors or even an organizer central available in two colors.
And it doesn’t stop there, since even the “e-pop shifter” steering wheel gear lever which evokes a tube of lipstick is customizable. Placed behind the steering wheel on the right side, it can be changed at any time to another without requiring any tools other than a paper cliplike you would eject a SIM card from a phone.
The 100% digital instrumentation is based on two 10-inch screens arranged horizontally, a bit like that of the i-Cockpit of the new Peugeot E-3008. In addition to the classic tactile and physical controls (on the steering wheel and, phew!, for the air conditioning), they are controlled from a new voice assistant called Reno. Designed as a “ intelligent and complicit travel companion », Reno’s mission is to “ facilitate and enhance the experience (…) in an electric car and make it more intuitive “. In practice, more than 200 answers to the most frequently asked questions have been integratedwhile the now inevitable Chat GPT takes care of the conversational part.
Two batteries, three motors
Unlike Peugeot which has chosen a multi-energy platform (petrol and electric), Renault adopts a range of 100% electric three-motor engines for the Renault 5 e-Tech. At the entry level, there is a synchronous block with a wound rotor of 95 horsesthen come two more muscular versions of 120 and 150 horsepower. Lacking a permanent magnet, these motors are claimed “ without rare earths » by the manufacturer.
On the battery side, if the car will be launched with a 52 kWh pack allowing 400 km of autonomy (WLTP cycle), the upcoming entry-level version may be equipped with a more modest set of 40 kWh (for 300 km WLTP).
On the recharging side, the entry-level version (95 hp) marks its urban terrain, since it will only be offered with 11 kW AC charging and no DC charger. On the other hand, the 120 and 150 horsepower versions receive respectively 80 and 100 kW from fast terminals and, above all, benefit from a bi-directional charging 11 kW in AC.
This new V2L (vehicle to load) and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) compatible charger allows to the Renault 5 to power electrical equipment and, above all, to compensate for possible drops in capacity on the electricity network by powering the home if necessary or by supplying the energy stored in its batteries to the distributor.
In terms of performance, Renault is currently only communicating those of the 110 kW engine with the 52 kWh battery. The 0 to 100 is announced “less than 8 seconds “, For a maximum speed limited to 150 km/h.
Three finishes at launch
Regarding the finishes, there will be three of them according to Renault. We will find in particular the traditional finishes Evolution and Techno, which represent the entry and the heart of the range. Finally, a Premium version called Iconic 5 will be responsible for completing the offer. Note that it is intended to evolve over time.
Here is the equipment offered in the different finishes:
- Evolution : 18-inch wheels with hubcaps, 10.1-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, hands-free access/starting, LED headlights with automatic high beams
- Techno : Evolution + 18-inch rims, 10-inch instrumentation, Open R Link multimedia system with Google services, inductive smartphone charger, reversing camera, “5” charging indicator on the hood, level 2 semi-autonomous driving
- Iconic 5 : Techno + two-tone paint, heated steering wheel and front seats, hands-free parking
As for the colors available, users will be able to choose between 5 skins. Pop Green will be free while you will have to pay a supplement for Pop Yellow, Pearly White, Starry Black and Night Blue (visible here in our photos). Availability dates as well as final prices for the different finishes will be announced soon.