| Renault 5 E-Tech | |
| Manufacturer: | Renault |
| Aka: | Alpine A290 |
| Production: | 2024–present |
| Designer: | Gilles Vidal (5 EV) Raphaël Linari (A290_β)[1] |
| Class: | Supermini (B) |
| Body Style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout: | Front-motor, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform: | CMF–B EV / AmpR Small |
| Related: | Nissan Micra EV Renault Clio Renault 4 E-Tech Renault Twingo E-Tech |
| Predecessor: | Renault Zoe |
| Sp: | uk |
The Renault 5 E-Tech is a B-segment battery electric car by French manufacturer Renault that will begin production in 2024. Inspired by the original Renault 5 in styling,[2] the 5 E-Tech was previewed by a concept car shown in January 2021,[3] with the production model being officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in February 2024.[4]
Development of the Renault 5 E-Tech began from an orange life-size design mockup that was presented to Renault CEO Luca de Meo at the Renault Technocentre in Guyancourt in July 2020. The mockup was merely an exploratory study by a designer, François Leboine for a small electric car that was rejected as the company was not looking to produce a retro car. The mockup caught the attention of De Meo, which asked the design team to turn it into a prototype car. By October 2020, the prototype was completed. The prototype was showcased as the Renault 5 Prototype, and became a symbol of Renault's electric car strategy called Renaulution, which was announced on 14 January 2021.
In his short memoir about the Renault 5, De Meo emphasized the need of having at least one model that "express their DNA more than any of the others", citing the Fiat 500, Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Renault Twingo as examples. De Meo personally oversaw the development and organized intense critical discussions that led to some design changes, with an employee calling the car the "boss's car" that they "couldn’t afford to make mistakes".
Renault had to drastically reduce the normal development time for the Renault 5 from four years to three years, which it achieved by using the CMF-B platform as the base.[5] Around 1,100 parts was used to build the vehicle, many of which are shared with other CMF-B vehicles such as the Clio V. The platform will be used by the upcoming, smaller Renault 4 electric car.
In October 2022, Renault unveiled its "industrial metaverse" at the Flins plant in Yvelines, which is being transformed to become the Re-Factory.[6] Among the technologies on display was a simulation of a virtual reality paint booth, with the vehicle rendered in 3D for the demonstration being the production version of the Renault 5 EV, the first time it has been shown without camouflage.[7]
In March 2023, journalists had the opportunity to test a development mule of the production version, scheduled for a release in 2024.[8] 'Vehicle check' prototypes, using near-final bodies and chassis, were tested starting in July 2023. These prototypes also serve to test the production processes. Prior development prototypes used Clio bodies on the CMF-BEV platform.[9]
An electric Renault 5 was announced in January 2021 as part of Groupe Renault's strategic plan "Renaulution" covering the period 2021–2025+; the Renault marque has branded their effort "Nouvelle Vague" (New Wave), with the goal of offering the most complete electrified and hydrogen fuel cell lineup by 2025.[10]
The R5 prototype uses a small battery electric variant of the Renault–Nissan Common Module Family platform, initially designated CMF–B EV and later named AmpR Small. CMF–B EV will be used in additional forthcoming small cars, including an electric version of a revived Renault 4.[11] Renault initially denied the 5 EV would replace the Zoe,[12] but later reversed their stance.[13] Standardization of the platform and battery technology is expected to reduce production costs by 33% compared to the Zoe, as many components are reused from the CMF-B platform used in the Clio V.[14] The Renault 5 EV will share its platform with the upcoming Nissan Micra EV.[15]
Styling was performed by a team under the leadership of Gilles Vidal. It was inspired by the legacy Renault 5 model, with updates influenced by contemporary consumer electronics, furniture, and sports products.[16] Vidal joined Renault in November 2020, after the design of the R5 Prototype was already under way.[17] The double-diamond Renault logo, which was designed by Victor Vasarely and his son Jean-Pierre (aka Yvaral) and debuted with the original R5 in 1972, was illuminated and updated for the R5 EV prototype.[18] Work on the new logo predated the car, under a contract awarded to Landor & Fitch in 2019. The revised logo is scheduled to be deployed across the Renault range by 2020.[17]
The initial design was sketched by François Leboine; when Luca de Meo joined the company in July 2020 from Fiat, where he had overseen the launch of the Fiat 500 (2007), de Meo saw the possibilities of a revived R5.[19] The exterior of the R5 Prototype was designed by Nicolas Jardin.[17] Although the R5 Prototype is a five-door hatch, the rear door handles are hidden to be reminiscent of the original R5 of 1972 which was available as a three-door hatch and as a five-door from 1979.[17]
According to Renault Executive Vice President for Engineering Gilles le Borgne, the Renault 5 EV is expected to be priced starting from €20–25,000; options will include one of two battery packs (40 kWh or 52 kWh), with an expected range of using the latter. The battery is expected to use NMC chemistry. DC fast charging will be an added-cost option, and should match the maximum rate (130 kW) of the Renault Mégane E-Tech. The charging port is mounted on the bonnet, behind a door just in front of the driver on the left-hand side designed to resemble the air intake on the original R5.
The Renault 5 E-Tech will be produced at Renault ElectriCity, formed from the Douai, Maubeuge, and Ruitz factories in northern France;[20] assembly will occur at Douai, using components built at Ruitz and a motor from Cléon. The pre-production prototypes of the R5 were built in the Technocentre facility near Paris that imitates the manufacturing process of the regular factories. Over 60 units of the R5 were built for testing and validation purposes before large-scale production commences.
An Alpine-branded high-performance variant is planned, and will use the more powerful traction motor from the Mégane E-Tech, which is rated at . The Alpine variant is expected to retain the front-motor, front-wheel drive layout of the Renault 5 E-Tech, but the track will be wider for a sportier look.[21]
On 9 May 2023, Alpine unveiled the A290_β, a concept car that previews the production model.[22] [23] [24] However, before the official debut, two photos of the model were accidentally leaked online.[25]
The production A290 was unveiled on June 13, 2024 before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[26] The design is identical to the concept. the base GT Premium is powered by a electric motor, while the more powerful GTS has a electric motor from the Mégane E-Tech that accelerates to in 6.4 seconds. The battery has a capacity of 52 kWh and a range of 380 km (236 miles).
As part of Renault's 50th anniversary celebrations of the original R5 in 2022, the manufacturer presented two "electromods": restomods of the original R5, repowered with electric drivetrains. These were similar conceptually to contemporaneous electrified restomods such as the Hyundai Heritage Series and Ford F-100 Eluminator.[27]
The R5 Diamant is a one-off vehicle that uses the original R5 body panels and silhouette with detail updates, such as protruding headlights and taillights providing a jewel-like look. It was styled by Pierre Gonalons, who stated his goal was to "merge automotive codes with those of interior decoration". The Diamant will be auctioned in fall 2022, with proceeds to benefit Give Me 5.[28] Details on the powertrain were not released.[27]
A sporty restomod version of the Renault 5 Turbo, dubbed the Renault R5 Turbo 3E and inspired by the 5 Turbo and Turbo 2,[29] was unveiled at the on September 25, 2022,[30] also being present at the 2022 Paris Motor Show in October.[29] The car was developed and built by Ligier with input from Yvan Muller.[31]
The Turbo 3E is long, wide, and tall, with a wheelbase of on a tubular chassis with a carbon fibre body and a combined output of / using two electric traction motors, one for each rear wheel.[32] The battery has a storage capacity of 42 kWh.[33] The chassis is a FIA-compliant steel spaceframe.[34] The total weight of the car is, of which slightly more than is the battery, at .[35]
Estimated performance is in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of .[34]