The fully electric Renault 5 supermini was introduced in concept form back in 2021, with the final production version set to be unveiled in 2024. Until then, Renault is giving us a few details about the technical specifications of the EV, which is going through the last stages of development.
Thanks to the new modular CMF-B architecture, the Renault 5 will cost 30% less to manufacture than the similarly-sized Zoe. Notably, the EV platform borrows 70% of the parts used in the CMF-B which underpins the Clio and the Captur. It also supports different tracks and wheelbase lengths, for accommodating models from different segments – including the upcoming Renault 4Ever SUV, its LCV counterpart, and the electric successor of the Nissan Micra.
Renault didn’t reveal any specifications of the powertrain, but Jeremie Coiffier, the head of engineering for the B-Segment EV family, promised “best-in-class performance”. The automaker also expects the R5 to be “the benchmark for its segment in terms of driving pleasure”, making us impatient for the already confirmed Alpine-badged hot hatch variant. Despite its compact footprint and affordable positioning, the R5 will feature a sophisticated multi-link rear axle, while benefiting from a lower center of gravity and increased rigidity thanks to the floor-mounted batteries.
Read: What We Know About The 2025 Renault 4 Budget EV With A Retro-Twist
Speaking of the battery pack, it will feature four large modules, compared to the 12 modules used in the Zoe, and take less physical space for more kWh while also being 15 kg (33 pounds) lighter. The electric motor of the R5 is based on the ones used in the Zoe and Megane E-Tech, but it is smaller and roughly 20kg lighter. Renault says that the synchronous motor has better output than a permanent-magnet motor, and doesn’t use rare-earth metals in its production resulting in a lower environmental impact. Other components in the electric powertrain include the DC/DC converter (400V into 12V), the charger, and an accessory box for managing power distribution.
Mules of the Renault 5 wearing a Clio body have been spotted by our spy photographers, and now the automaker admits using nine of them for testing purposes. The CMF-B EV platform mules were driven in the ice-cold Arvidsjaur of the Swedish Lapland, and near Renault’s French technical centers in Lardy which is close to Paris, and in Aubevoye, Normandy.
We expect to learn more about the production Renault 5 in the coming months. The model will eventually replace the soon-to-be-discontinued Zoe, while the Clio will live on as an ICE-powered alternative.
