Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: The little friend is cooler than ever
With the harmonious new edition of the legendary R5, Renault has a potential electric hit of the first order in its quiver. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is, as its name suggests, purely electric, will cost less than CHF 25,000 in its base version and is a joy to drive and to look at.
The French have never lacked courage. Take Renault, for example. Courage did not always pay off (e.g. Avantime). But it often paid off all the more (Espace, for example). The revival of a legend requires a great deal of courage. Everything has to be right, otherwise it flops. The VW New Beetle, for example, was unsuccessful because it only looked like a Beetle and was otherwise a Golf in disguise.
Made in tune to lure hit potential. A prime example: the Fiat 500. The Cinquecento is not a styling copy, but translates the 500 feeling into the present. At Renault, we long hoped for a renaissance of the R4, R5 or Alpine icons. Then came the Alpine - and it's perfect. Next year will see the new R4. Currently, the spotlight belongs to the Renault 5. We are certain that the little Renault 5 E-Tech Electric has what it takes to be a big hit! Why? A look back: in 1972, the Renault 5, or R5 for short, was launched as a 3.51-metre city runabout - modern but charming; cool on the outside and inside; compact but spacious. "The little friend", as the advertising praised it, lasted in two series until 1996 and made nine million friends.
Now the "little friend" is back and remains true to itself. With a length of just 3.92 meters and a small turning circle (only 10.3 meters), the parking miracle whizzes through narrow streets. It has shed the former rocking motion and gained precise steering and painless, yet sporty fun. It has also got rid of the stink. The electrician is already available to order from CHF 32,500 with a very, very brisk 110 kW (150 hp, battery 52 kWh; range 410 km).
From November, the Renault 5 will be buzzing across a broad front in Switzerland, and the base model (70 kW/95 hp or 90 kW/120 hp, 40 kWh, 312 km) will follow in the course of 2025 for less than CHF 25,000. Inexpensive and, if I may say so, pretty cool - a direct hit!
The design is an eye-catcher and quotes the original in a number of details; Renault would have deserved an award for these rear lights alone. What we like even better is that the interior continues to be so cool. There is once again fabric on the dashboard for that home-from-home feeling, witty ideas such as a holder for baguettes (or umbrellas in this country) next to the center console and countless customizations. A space miracle? Well, we don't want to go on vacation with four people here. In the city, the rear is enough: a city runabout.
The equipment is incredibly diverse and goes beyond the scope of this report. Examples: There are 18-inch wheels that suit the R5 as well as the full LED lights. Five colors in a number of variants are tempting. How about a black roof, set off by red trim? We recommend the price-free (!) frog green ("pop green"), as the original often wore in its day.
Digitization is the motto inside. The instrument display is seven or ten inches in size, depending on the equipment, and the multimedia screen is always ten inches. After some initial confusion - countless setting options such as four driving and mood modes - everything is easy; the logic is right. Ambient lighting is also on board - and Reno, the personal avatar. Reno accompanies us and answers questions. By the way: Google is also on board (e.g. Maps).
A model of sustainability the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric will also be. Built in France at "ElectriCity", Renault's three-plant e-center. To protect the environment, all components come from a maximum radius of 300 kilometers. Incidentally, this includes batteries, for which there will be a new gigafactory from 2025. Over 19 percent of the materials used in the R5 (which could become established as an abbreviation again in the future) are recycled (e.g. seat covers made from pet bottles), 26 percent from the circular economy, and its recyclability is almost 89 percent. So when it comes to eco-friendliness, everything is just right.
Is there nothing to complain about? We don't find much. Or should we really find fault with the rear grip shells instead of door handles? Especially as the new e-platform makes the little friend affordable in terms of price and running costs, despite being electric. By the way: Charging is at 11 kW (AC), at the fast charger at 100 kW (DC, 15 to 80 percent 30 minutes). What's more, the Renault 5 supplies 220-volt devices bidirectionally and feeds electricity back into the grid when required. So this little friend has grown up. But it has remained charming.
