This French automaker is well-known for making funky cars, and the new Renault 5 is no exception.
Between 1972 and 1996, the Renault 5 became one of the brand’s most iconic cars — and now it’s getting a modern reboot. On Monday, the automaker revealed a production version of an all-electric, modernized take on the old hatchback it’s been working on for the past three years. When it does go on sale in Europe (we won’t get it in the U.S., of course, since Renault hasn’t sold cars here for decades), this small EV will command a price of just €25,000, or about $27,000 if you were able to actually get one here.
The Renault 5 E-Tech is meant to bridge the gap between older folks nostalgic for what the old car brought to the table, and younger buyers wanting a modern car that stands out. And for better or worse, you can’t deny the car definitely stands out, even among racier hatchbacks. While giving it a funkier look was part of the mission, Renault says it also designed the car to be as aerodynamically efficient as possible, since EV range is naturally a major concern here.
As far as powertrains are concerned, the new Renault 5 E-Tech will launch with three different power levels. Depending on your needs and budget, you can get either 70 kW (94 horsepower), 90 kW (121 hp) or 110 kW (148 hp) to the front wheels. The 52-kWh battery will be able to deliver a range using the European WLTP cycle of up to 400 kilometers, or 249 miles.
Inside, the Renault 5 is no less interesting, from the sunken digital instrument cluster and closer 10.1-inch touchscreen sitting atop the dashboard, to the weird gear selector stalk sticking out (with two lower-mounted stalks) from the right-hand side of the steering wheel. Interestingly enough, zooming in to the interior shot also reveals a Renault logo and “1972” etched into the gear selector stalk.
The new Renault 5 E-Tech rides on the company’s AmpR small platform. In addition to allowing up to a 52-kWh battery pack as well as a potential 40-kWh version down the line, AmpR also has bi-directional charging capability, allowing vehicle-to-load (i.e. powering appliances or other electrical items) and vehicle-to-grid capability.
