- Renault yesterday unveiled the production version of the 5 E-Tech, which is strikingly similar to the concept shown in 2021.
- This electric hatchback has a range of up to 349 miles and delivers up to 148 horsepower with front-wheel drive.
- The starting price of about $27,000 is eye-catching, but unfortunately the French automaker has no intention of re-entering the U.S. market.
We admit it: we’re jealous. Renault 5 E-Tech was announced yesterday. Not only does the electric hatchback bring the handsome styling of the 2021 concept car to production with minimal changes, but the 5 E-Tech has all the range and power you need for city driving. That equates to just $27,000 at current exchange rates. Sadly, we have to admire the 5 E-Tech from afar, as the French brand has expressed no plans to return to the United States since its 1987 exit.
Renault says around 95 per cent of the production car’s design will be the same as the concept, and we’re pleased to see its short, squat proportions and bold lighting arrive on the street almost unchanged. This styling pays homage to the original Renault 5 that ran from 1972 to his 1985, and featured a boxy silhouette accentuated by square headlights pushed out to the edges by a thin rectangular grille. . The headlights here gain some dynamism, but since the EV doesn’t have the same cooling requirements, they reflect the same look and are linked by a black trim piece.
The bold rectangular fog lamps formed by four L-shaped LEDs recall Renault’s rallying heritage with the legendary mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive Renault 5 Turbo from the 80s. A glossy black panel on the left side of the bonnet that displays the battery level as the driver approaches the vehicle is reminiscent of the air vents found in classic petrol-powered Renault 5s. The new 5 E-Tech designs include: It’s finished off by sharp vertical taillights and eye-catching badging across the tailgate and along the front edges of the doors, with a stylized ‘5’ embedded between a series of closely spaced hash marks.
Inside, Renault has fitted a large 10.1-inch touchscreen and another 10.0-inch display behind the steering wheel, sharing a housing that is slightly angled towards the driver. The layout is simple, with a series of buttons below the vents and storage shelves around the perimeter.
The 5 E-Tech is the brand’s first vehicle built entirely on the new AmpR Small platform, and is said to have a 100-inch wheelbase and weigh less than 3307 pounds. All Renault 5 E-Techs feature front-wheel drive with a single synchronous electric motor with his three power outputs of 148 hp, 121 hp and 94 hp. This number may seem low by American standards, but it should be enough to navigate the narrow, winding streets of Paris. The multi-link rear suspension is an anomaly for this small, affordable class of European cars.
The largest battery on offer, a 52.0 kWh unit, provides an estimated range of 249 miles on the European WLTP test cycle. DC fast charging capability is up to 100 kW, and the 11 kW AC unit enables bidirectional AC charging, allowing you to power electrical accessories through the vehicle or sell power back to the grid during times of high energy demand. You can Renault even says the 5 E-Tech can tow up to 1102 pounds.
Unfortunately, the Renault 5 E-Tech is unlikely to make it to the United States. While a sportier Alpine variant, previewed by last year’s A290_β concept, is planned, the hot hatch is not expected to be part of Alpine’s anticipated foray into the US market and will instead be a series electric crossover will lead the market. Please excuse me while I go book my vacation to Paris.
Caleb Miller started blogging about cars at the age of 13, and after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine. car and driver team. He loves quirky and obscure cars, aims to one day own a strange car like a Nissan S, and is an avid motorsport fan.