Renault engineers claim that the new EV will be a “benchmark in terms of driving pleasure” for the supermini segment
This story features independent illustrations created by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien and edited by Thanos Pappas for Carscoops which are not related to nor endorsed by Renault.
The Renault 5 is one of the most anticipated electric supermini premieres of 2024 as it is expected to combine advanced technology with driving pleasure at an affordable starting price. Renault has already given us bits and pieces of information about the upcoming EV so we gathered everything we could find alongside more accurate renderings of its exterior.
Concept-Like Styling
The fully electric reincarnation of the R5 debuted in concept form in January 2021, with the automaker promising to bring it to the market. As confirmed by the lightly camouflaged prototypes in recent teasers, the production model will stay true to the concept. A series of small changes and toned-down features will make it more cost-effective, without altering its retro-futuristic stance that pays tribute to the first and second-generation R5 from 1972 and 1984 respectively.
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Read: VW ID.2all Concept Previews A $27K EV That Beats Tesla To The Punch
The production version will feature redesigned LED lighting units on both ends, restyled bumpers, smaller-diameter alloy wheels, as well as conventional door handles and mirrors. The French supermini is expected to retain the sculpted body with pronounced fenders, the tapered rear end, and the discreet plastic cladding on the lower portion of the bodywork and around the wheel arches. Another signature aspect of all R5 generations is the high-mounted taillights which return in modern form with LED graphics.
While the standard R5 will look sporty enough, the already confirmed performance-focused variant by Alpine will look like a proper hot hatch. The rally-inspired bodykit was recently previewed by the A290_b concept although this is also expected to be toned down for production in a similar manner.
According to the latest reports, the R5 will measure around 3.92m (154.3 inches) long, placing it in the supermini segment. This number would make the EV slightly shorter than its main rival, the VW ID.2, which measures 4.05 m (159.4 inches) long, at least in concept form. Both are shorter than the ICE-powered equivalents (the Renault Clio and VW Polo) but are expected to be more spacious inside, benefiting from the packaging of the electric underpinnings.
Renault hasn’t shown any teasers of the R5’s interior, but judging from other concepts from its upcoming EV lineup there will be an extensive use of sustainable materials throughout the cabin. Expect a modern and minimalist look for the dashboard with a youthful approach in color and trim combinations. We don’t know if the R5 will adopt budget-friendly solutions for the infotainment, like the ones from Dacia, but it is certainly a possibility at least in the entry-level trims.
Zippy Motor, Class-Leading Handling, And Decent Range
Renault has confirmed that the R5 will be the first model to introduce the new CMF-BEV architecture before it finds its way into all future small-sized EVs from Renault Group brands. The electric platform shares 70% of its components with the CMF-B equivalent which is already used in ICE-powered models like the Renault Clio/Captur and Dacia’s entire lineup.
Renault engineers brag about the chassis setup and electric powertrain of the R5 saying it will offer “best-in-class performance” and become “the benchmark for its segment in terms of driving pleasure”. Vehicle dynamics will be “totally comparable” with the larger Renault Megane E-Tech, thanks to its chassis setup with a sophisticated multi-link rear axle, a lower center of gravity, and increased rigidity.
The supermini will come fitted with a single synchronous motor mounted at the front, weighing 20 kg (44 pounds) less than the unit used in the Megane E-tech. As for the expected output, there are contradicting rumors with Autocar suggesting it will produce 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS), and L’Argus reporting it will come in two variants with 123 hp (92 kW / 125 PS) and 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS).
The 4-module battery will be smaller in size and 15 kg (33 pounds) lighter than the 12-module unit used in the Renault Zoe, while being more energy-dense and cheaper to make. French media report that the R5 will be offered with two battery capacities of 42 kWh and 52 kWh, with the latter offering an electric range of up to 420 km (261 miles).
Affordable EV Rivals
Currently, the only fully electric supermini offerings besides the soon-to-be discontinued Renault Zoe and the dirt-cheap Dacia Spring are the recently facelifted Peugeot E-208 and Opel Corsa-e siblings. However, there are a lot more rivals for the R5 in the pipeline, including the 2024 Citroen e-C3, the 2024 Fiat Panda, and the 2025 VW ID.2 coming alongside a mechanically-related Skoda. Moreover, there’s the electric successor of the Nissan Micra which will share its underpinnings with the R5.
Interestingly, Renault, Citroen, VW, and Skoda have promised a starting price below €25,000 ($27,500) in a quest to make EVs accessible to more European buyers. Besides the traditional car ownership scheme, automakers could also offer attractive leasing options, with a low monthly fee.
We will learn more about the Renault 5 as we move closer to its market launch which has been confirmed for 2024. The EV will serve as a replacement for the aging Zoe, but Renault will keep offering the similarly-sized and recently-facelifted Clio as an ICE-powered alternative with hybrid options.
