Renault has at last revealed its modern take on the 1970s and 1980s Renault 5, with the new model getting a fully electric drivetrain, a nostalgic exterior and interior, and even a baguette holder. Very French.
The new model also looks remarkably similar to the 2021 concept car of the same name, a retrofuturistic take on the original that we’re glad to see has made it into production. Speaking of, the car you can buy on the showroom floor is apparently 95 per cent faithful to the prototype.
With that, the production R5 takes us back to its roots with a set of “winking” headlights, vertical taillights, pumped arches, a coloured roof, and more. Renault even kept the notable vent on the bonnet which now proudly presents a number “5” that lights up as occupants approach the car.
The interior is just as much of a throwback as the exterior, with the dashboard maintaining the same shape and padding design as its predecessor, while the seats have been fittingly clad in colourful fabric that complements the door cards and waffle headliner.
Modern touches are afoot too, with the driver getting either a 7.0 or 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster depending on the trim, while a 10.1-inch touchscreen takes pride of place in the middle of the dashboard to handle the infotainment system. In terms of tech, there’s wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as more Google-based apps than you can shake a bread stick at, including Google Maps and Google Assistant.
Dimensions come to 3920mm in length and wheelbase of 2540mm, offering plenty of space inside for storage. Boot luggage capacity comes to 326 litres thanks to the flat floor, in addition to 19 litres of storage found elsewhere around the cabin. Get this, Renault even added space for a woven basket baguette holder, making this the first car “specially equipped” to carry said baked item.
Underneath the new Renault 5 sits the brand’s AmpR small car platform which houses a 40kWh and 52kWh battery, offering up to 300km and 400km of range respectively. DC charging can be conducted at up to 100kW for the 52kWh battery and 80kW for the 40kWh unit, meaning recharging from 15 to 80 per cent takes half an hour for both.
As for the front-mounted electric motor, three power ratings are available, including a 110kW/245Nm, 90kW/225Nm, or 70kW/215Nm motor.
When the new Renault 5 launches in Europe early next year, it’ll be priced at a relatively affordable €25,000, or around $44,000 in New Zealand dollars. However, there’s no word on whether the model will be sold locally just yet, but it is under consideration for our cousins across the ditch.
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