Automotive

Spunky li'l Renault 5 to be reborn as an EV in 2024

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The Renault 5 E-Tech will initially only be available in multiple European markets
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech features flush tail lights
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech is now in physical production-ready form
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech will initially only be available in multiple European markets
Renault
The original model's bonnet air intake has been transformed into a charging port
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech alongside the original Renault 5
Renault
Renault states that the vehicle is composed of at least 22% recycled materials and is over 85% recyclable
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech's illuminated bonnet logo
Renault
As compared to the original Renault 5, the Renault 5 E-Tech sports more rugged wheel arches
Renault
The Renault 5 E-Tech's streamlined soft-top roof
Renault
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Marketed as the Le Car in North America, the Renault 5 was a sporty little runabout that debuted in 1972 and ceased production in 1996. It's set to return next year, however, in the form of the 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech.

The new five-door vehicle was first announced by Renault back in 2021. At that time, it was essentially just a concept. Fast-forward a bit, and the Renault 5 E-Tech (or R5, for short) is now in physical production-ready form.

It will be officially unveiled in February at the Geneva Motor Show and should be commercially available in Europe next summer, with prices starting at €25,000 (about US$27,636).

The vehicle will be assembled at Renault's plant in Douai, France.

The Renault 5 E-Tech alongside the original Renault 5
Renault

Although little has been provided in the way of specs, we do know that the R5 features a 100-kW (136-hp) electric motor and a battery range of up to 400 km (249 miles) per charge. Drivers will be able to power electrical devices with the battery when the car is parked.

As compared to the original Renault 5, the R5 E-Tech sports more rugged wheel arches, a more streamlined soft-top roof profile, and boxier bodywork overall. The original's bonnet air intake has been transformed into a charging port, plus "discrete" LEDs illuminate the bonnet logo and other accents on the front end.

Renault states that the vehicle is composed of at least 22% recycled materials and is over 85% recyclable
Renault

Prospective buyers can register their interest via the Renault website. And they should take note that the company plans to introduce Super5 and R5 Turbo models further down the road.

Interestingly enough, the Renault 5 E-Tech isn't the only electrical reimagining of the original model that we've seen. Just last year, the automaker collaborated with French designer/interior architect Pierre Gonalons to create the one-off Renault 5 Diamant.

Source: Renault

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5 comments
minivini
Already excited to see the EV R5 version which we, in the U.S. will ALSO NOT GET. Yes, I’m a little bitter.
WONKY KLERKY
And . . . . . ......
Renault have always had a large slice of the market in Africa and over seas places other and various.
Now, ref this latest offering, please do compare the ground clearances v/v its predecessor shown above + its predecessor - etc.
WillyDoodle
Looks like a winner. Hope it's available soon.
Aross
Not interested until EVs come with swappable batteries.
ljaques
Not a bad looking car from the side. Removing the stupid graphics would improve the other angles' beauty. The red stripe at the top is nice, though. I wonder why they're keeping it to only the EU. They might sell well here if they perform well and are reliable. Aross would rather sit in line to get a swapped battery of unknown reliability than sit in line to recharge a known good one? OK. ;)