The new Renault R5 could be one of the most exciting small cars to launch this decade, offering a mixture of retro looks, relaxing electric power and range that’ll leave direct rivals crying for their chargers. Keep reading to find out exactly what you can expect.
Renault 5 E-Tech: price, specs and release date
- Renault R5: exterior styling and design
- Renault R5: interior, design, infotainment and practicality
- Renault R5: battery capacity, performance and range
- Renault R5: price and release date
Renault R5: exterior styling and design
The Renault R5 will follow the same recipe as the MINI Electric: give your new small car the retro styling of a beloved older model (the Renault 5 in this case), then fit it with an electric powertrain that’s bang up to date.
Up front, the R5 gets the same bluff nose as the old model, along with a modern interpretation of the classic model’s headlights, fog lights and a super-thin grille.
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There’s more change around the sides, with the smooth design of the old model being replaced with a more angular look that’ll help disguise the large battery in the floor. However, both new and old cars share the same constant line that runs from the roof to the rear bumper.
Head to the back and you’ll see modern touches like a light bar and sparkling LED tail lights, but also a homage to the old car in the form of a grey plastic lower bumper.
Renault R5: interior, design, infotainment and practicality
A new car wouldn't be a new car without digital screens dominating the interior, and so it goes with the Renault 5. The driver is faced by two 10.0-inch items, one behind the squared-off steering wheel to act as the instrument panel, and the other in the centre of the dashboard to deal with infotainment, and both blend into a single unit, as is the fashion these days.
The interior design has elements inspired by the original Renault 5, such as the two-tier design on the passenger's side. The original was also available with contrasting colour schemes for the headlining, dashboard and carpet, we expect this to be a feature on the new 5. Personalisation is likely to be key.
As well as having features that’ll make you feel warm and fuzzy, the 5 will also be practical, so says Renault. You can expect it to have space for four tall adults at a push, with good access thanks to well disguised rear doors that you don’t get in rivals like the MINI Electric.
Boot capacity, meanwhile, is given at 326 litres, and it can be extended by dropping the 60/40 split folding rear seats. There's a further 19 litres of storage in various compartments dotted around the cabin.
Renault R5: battery capacity, performance and range
When the Renault 5 initially goes on sale, it'll be offered with a 52kW battery pack, giving a WLTP range of 248 miles. That'll be joined soon afterwards by a smaller 40kWh battery option, giving a range of 186 miles
The two different battery options will be paired with two different specifications of electric motor. Cars with the larger battery will have a 148bhp motor, while those with the smaller battery will have 118bhp. The 0-62mph dash will take around eight seconds with the former and nine seconds with the latter, but expect both to feel brisker than those numbers suggest, as electric cars often do.
Thanks to having one gear, the R5 will drive like an automatic and its regenerative brakes mean it’ll slow automatically when you take your foot off the accelerator. Factor in the car’s silent running and instant performance, and you can expect it to be very relaxing to drive in town.
Renault R5: price and release date
The Renault 5 was confirmed for production back in September 2021, with Renault targeting a starting price of less than £18,000 at the time, in order to undercut models like the MINI Electric and Honda e. However, it seems unlikely the 5 will stick to that – everything is more expensive these days – but a price tag of £25,000 could be possible.