Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: New Entry-Level Model Combines Retro Style wiht Urban Efficiency
The highly anticipated Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is now available with a smaller 40 kWh battery,expanding accessibility with a new entry-level “evolution” trim. This version aims to capture the hearts of urban drivers with its blend of retro charm and modern electric technology.
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric (40 kWh): Specifications
| Model | Renault 5 E-Tech electric (40 kWh) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.92 m x 1.81 m x 1.50 m |
| Power | 120 horsepower |
| 0 to 100km/h | 9 seconds |
| Autonomy level | Assisted driving (level 1) |
| Max Speed | 150 km/h |
| Main Screen Size | 10.1 inches |
| car Socket Type | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
| Entry Price | 27,990 euros |
Exterior: Retaining Charm with Streamlined Design
Even in its entry-level configuration, the Renault 5 E-Tech maintains a striking presence. While it may lack some of the aesthetic flourishes of the higher-end Iconic version,its novelty and recognizable design continue to draw attention.
Renault 5 E-Tech: Stripping Back the Glamour for Urban Driving
The Renault 5 E-tech electric car, in its “autonomie Urbaine” (Urban Autonomy) configuration, prioritizes affordability and practicality over premium aesthetics, resulting in a more subdued appearance and a price tag starting at approximately €27,990.
Renault 5’s New Look: Subtle Exterior Changes
The optional “Blanc Nacré” (Mother-of-Pearl White) paint finish, available for an extra €650, contributes to the car’s understated look compared to the brighter yellow or green options. This Evolution trim level omits some of the design highlights showcased in Renault’s promotional materials, including the charge indicator on the hood.
The car features matte black, unpainted plastic elements on the body, a departure from the premium feel of the Techno and Iconic trims. however, the LED headlights and taillights retain their distinctive design, and the roof matches the body color.
Wheel Decisions: Trading Alloy for Retro Style
The wheels also undergo a notable change. To reduce costs, Renault opted for steel wheels instead of alloy wheels. While the choice of steel wheels on a car costing approximately €27,990 might seem questionable, the 18-inch wheels are fitted with “Disco” hubcaps.
These hubcaps offer a retro aesthetic that complements the car’s overall design. Despite hubcaps not always being a favorite, these are a good choice for this vehicle.
Interior: Cost-Saving measures
The interior of the Evolution trim sees the most significant departures from the Renault 5 models previewed earlier. Jean inserts on the dashboard are replaced with hard white plastic. The central armrest and the center console are removed, altering the placement of the USB-C ports.
The Renault 5 E-Tech in its “Autonomie Urbaine” trim represents a more budget-conscious approach, foregoing some of the premium design elements for a focus on functionality and affordability.
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: Affordable EV Balances Retro Style with Modern Needs
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric revives a classic nameplate with a modern, all-electric twist. Aimed at urban drivers seeking an affordable and practical EV, this new iteration attempts to blend retro styling with essential features. While some cost-saving measures are apparent, the focus remains on delivering a functional and appealing electric vehicle for city living.
Renault 5 Interior: Balancing Cost and Comfort
inside the “Autonomie Urbaine” trim,gray fabric upholstery replaces the more vibrant yellow found in the higher-end Iconic 5,a change that reflects a price difference of approximately 4,000 euros. Subtle blue-white-red stitching on the front seats adds a touch of style, but the plastic steering wheel feels less premium. Despite these cost-conscious choices, the interior isn’t spartan. It includes four automatic power windows, an electric parking brake, a satisfactory audio system, and a digital instrument cluster – features not always standard on competing models.Rear parking sensors and automatic climate control with a heat pump further enhance the car’s practicality.
Renault 5: Space and Practicality
At 3.92 meters (12.9 feet) long, the Renault 5 is shorter than a Peugeot 208 but longer than a Suzuki Swift. While it can accommodate four adults, rear passenger space is limited, especially on longer journeys. The car is best suited for two adults in the front and two children in the back. The relatively high roofline and ample window space contribute to a feeling of spaciousness, mitigating the tighter legroom to some extent.
The trunk offers 277 liters (9.8 cubic feet) of space according to VDA standards, enough for two cabin-sized suitcases, a travel bag, and a small bag for charging cables. The 50/50 split-folding rear seats allow for larger items to be carried; with the seats folded, a road bike can fit with both wheels removed.
Infotainment: Keeping it Simple
The Evolution trim of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric forgoes Android Automotive, meaning no built-in navigation or integrated route planning via Google Maps.Instead, drivers rely on smartphone connectivity via wireless or wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay to access navigation apps such as Waze or Google maps on the 10.1-inch touchscreen. The car is equipped with DAB radio and provides access to vehicle energy consumption data.
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric appears to be a compelling option for those seeking an affordable electric vehicle focused on urban usability. While some compromises have been made to reduce costs, it retains essential features and a distinctive design, positioning it as a practical choice in the growing EV market.
Renault 5 E-Tech: Urban Agility and Essential Tech in a Retro Package
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric, particularly the 40 kWh “Autonomie Urbaine” model, blends urban-kind driving dynamics with essential technology, presenting a compelling option for city dwellers.While it embraces modern expectations for safety and convenience, some omissions and design choices highlight areas for potential improvement.
Urban Driving Prowess
The Renault 5 E-Tech shines in its element: the city.Its light steering, coupled with forgiving suspension, effortlessly absorbs the bumps and jolts of urban roads. A 120-horsepower motor proves sufficient for most city driving scenarios, delivering adequate power for navigating traffic and short bursts of acceleration. The vehicle also boasts a tight turning radius, simplifying maneuvers in congested areas.
Tech and Interior: A Mixed Bag
A 7-inch digital instrument cluster provides essential details at a glance, including speed, remaining range, and battery percentage. The display is customizable, allowing drivers to monitor energy consumption and usage. Standard equipment includes automatic headlights and wipers. High beam assist is also included, although its reaction time could be improved.
Driver Assistance Systems: Keeping it Basic
The model includes essential safety features mandated by GSR 2 regulations,such as emergency braking and lane keep assist. The tested model was equipped with cruise control, even though without adaptive distance regulation. this more basic implementation may appeal to drivers who prefer a more direct driving experiance without automated braking intervention. Do not expect advanced autonomous driving capabilities at this level.
Shortcomings in Urban Environments
Despite its urban focus, the Renault 5 exhibits some surprising omissions. The lack of a rearview camera and front parking sensors poses challenges when parking, particularly given the vehicle’s high hood, which can obstruct the driver’s view of low-lying obstacles.Additionally, the small rear window compromises rear visibility.
Beyond the City Limits
The Renault 5 maintains a sense of dynamism even outside the urban habitat. While the 120-horsepower engine may not provide blistering acceleration, the chassis exhibits extraordinary agility and responsiveness. The suspension effectively minimizes body roll,and the direct steering enhances the driving experience on twisty roads. The choice of 18-inch wheels contributes positively to the car’s handling characteristics.
Comfort and Refinement
Cabin insulation is a strong point. Road and wind noise are well-suppressed, allowing for pleasant conversations and clear audio even at highway speeds. The seats offer good support and have been widely praised for their design. The steering wheel adjusts for both height and depth, enabling drivers to find a comfortable driving position, and Renault has opted for a relatively large steering wheel that doesn’t obstruct the driver’s view of the instrument panel.
Areas for Improvement
The absence of a center armrest is a notable omission. The excessive use of hard plastics in the interior detracts from the overall sense of quality.
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: Urban Agility Meets Highway Reality
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, designed primarily for urban environments, proves capable on longer journeys, albeit with some strategic planning. While it requires more stops compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, its performance is reasonable for an electric car in its class.
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: Navigating the Open Road
A recent test drive of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, equipped with a 40 kWh battery, from Paris to Montélimar revealed its strengths and limitations on the highway. The journey, typically a 6-hour drive, extended to approximately 8 hours due to three charging stops, each lasting about 30 minutes.
Despite the added travel time, the experience highlighted the Renault 5’s efficiency. Its adaptability allows drivers to reach charging stations at about the same time as electric vehicles that have larger batteries but consume more power because they are driven at higher velocity.Most drivers take on roadtrips no more than a couple times a year, so this is not a major drawback.
Range, Consumption, and Charging
During testing, the weather conditions were between 9 and 15 degrees Celsius, with the testing vehicle consistently encountering headwinds. The Renault 5 E-Tech displayed impressive energy consumption of 11.6 kWh/100 km in Paris’s congested traffic. This efficiency could theoretically provide a range of 345 km in similar urban conditions when utilizing Eco mode, which reduces the accelerator’s responsiveness, and engaging “B” mode to maximize regenerative braking.
At a sustained speed of 110 km/h, consumption increased to 14.5 kWh/100 km over an initial 185 km stretch. factoring in the initial congestion in Paris, a range of up to 313 km is achievable, coming close to the announced WLTP range. On the highway, consumption averaged around 17 kWh/100 km, varying with the speed. It’s vital to note that route planning is not yet part of the navigation features, so planning stops using apps like ChargeMap are essential to avoid range anxiety.
Driver Assistance and Battery Management
The Renault 5 helpfully adjusts the dashboard’s range prediction based on recent driving conditions, providing more accuracy than some other electric models that rely on simple calculations from battery size and WLTP figures. The vehicle prompts activation of Eco mode when the battery drops below 15% and restricts speed to 115 km/h in this mode. When the battery dips below 5%, a warning sounds, advising the driver to recharge.
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: A Promising Contender in the Urban EV Market
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric is making waves as it enters the competitive electric vehicle (EV) market. Positioned against rivals like the Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, the R5 combines retro charm with modern technology, aiming to capture the hearts of city dwellers seeking an eco-friendly ride.
Real-World Charging Performance
During testing, the Renault 5 demonstrated impressive charging capabilities. Charging from 10% to 80% took just 30 minutes, aligning with renault’s claim of a peak charging power of 80 kW. Even without battery preconditioning, a maximum power of 79 kW was observed. Charging from 10% to 100% takes closer to an hour.
Pricing and Competition
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric with the smaller 40 kWh battery and “Evolution” trim starts at €27,990, excluding any potential government subsidies or trade-in bonuses. The version with the larger 52 kWh battery starts at €33,490 before incentives.
While cheaper options exist, such as the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03, these are considered less comparable due to their substantially lower range. The Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda,both from Stellantis,pose a more direct challenge,featuring a slightly larger 44 kWh battery and a 113-horsepower motor offering a range of 320 km (WLTP),comparable to the Renault 5’s “Urban Autonomy” version.
The Citroën ë-C3 begins at a more affordable €23,300, and the Fiat Grande Panda at €24,900. both Stellantis models offer a charging power of 100 kW,taking about 33 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%.
Style and Features: Renault 5’s Edge
Despite the competitive pricing of the Stellantis models, the Renault 5 distinguishes itself with a charming neo-retro design. The R5 also offers a more extensive equipment package,including a heat pump (beneficial in winter) and keyless entry and start,features not found in its Stellantis counterparts.
Conclusion
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric presents a compelling option in the burgeoning urban EV segment. While facing stiff competition on price,its distinctive styling and well-rounded feature set could win over buyers seeking a blend of nostalgia and modern electric technology.
**Besides the listed competitors, are there any othre electric vehicles in a similar price range that the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric should be compared to?**
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: Your FAQs Answered
Q&A
Exterior & Design
Q: What’s the deal with the steel wheels and hubcaps on the entry-level model?
A: To keep costs down, the “Autonomie Urbaine” trim uses steel wheels instead of alloy, but they’re dressed up with “Disco” hubcaps for a retro look.It’s a cost-effective way to maintain the car’s style.
Q: are there any changes to the exterior design compared to higher trims?
A: Yes, the entry-level model omits some aesthetic details, such as the charge indicator on the hood and features matte black, unpainted plastic elements.
Performance & Specs
Q: How fast is the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric?
A: The 40 kWh model goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds and has a top speed of 150 km/h.
Q: What’s the real-world range like?
A: The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric can achieve up to 345 km in urban conditions using Eco mode. On the highway, expect around 313 km.
Q: How long does it take to charge?
A: Charging from 10% to 80% takes approximately 30 minutes using an 80 kW charger.
Q: What kind of motor does it have?
A: The entry-level model has a 120 horsepower motor, which delivers sufficient power for city driving.
Interior & Features
Q: what’s missing inside the entry-level model?
A: The interior features hard white plastic rather of Jean inserts, a removed central armrest and center console, and gray fabric upholstery rather than the more vibrant yellow found in higher trims.
Q: Does it have a good infotainment system?
A: the evolution trim relies on smartphone connectivity via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, as it forgoes Android Automotive. The car is equipped with DAB radio and vehicle energy consumption data.
Q: Is the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric suitable for families?
A: While it can accommodate four adults, rear passenger space is limited. It’s best suited for two adults in the front and two children in the back.
Price & Competition
Q: How much does the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric cost?
A: The entry-level ”Evolution” trim starts at €27,990 (before incentives), with the 52 kWh battery model starting at €33,490.
Q: What are its main competitors?
A: Key competitors include the Citroën ë-C3 and fiat Grande Panda.
Driving & Technology
Q: How does it handle on the road?
A: It has light steering and a forgiving suspension for the city. On the highway, the chassis exhibits agility due to its suspension and direct steering.
Q: What driver assistance features does it have?
A: It includes essential safety features such as emergency braking and lane keep assist. The model was equipped with cruise control, without adaptive distance regulation.
Q: Does it have a rearview camera?
A: The entry-level model does not include a rearview camera or front parking sensors.
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric offers a compelling package for urban drivers, blending retro style with modern needs. Ready to experience the future of urban driving? Find out more and book a test drive today!
