A few days after our spy photographers caught a camouflaged prototype of the Renault 5 testing on public roads, the automaker published a revealing gallery of the pre-production model, showing us what to expect from the upcoming EV.
The new R5 prototypes are dressed in a thin black wrap with yellow or red accents highlighting the character lines of the bodywork. These are by far the most revealing shots of the Renault 5 to date, proving how close the final product will be to the previewing concept from 2021.
More: The Renault 5 EV Promises To Offer “Best-In-Class” Performance And Handling
Changes from the concept include the usual suspects, including conventional door handles, larger mirrors, redesigned bumpers, and slightly different LED lighting units which appear to lose the full-width treatment. Overall, the vehicle looks modern, sporty, and compact, while incorporating many references to the first and second generations of the Renault 5 that debuted in 1972 and 1984 respectively.
The new R5 is expected to measure around 3.92m (154.3 inches) long, making it slightly shorter than the 4.05 m (159.4 inches) long Clio, thus more agile in an urban environment. Despite the compact footprint, the packaging of the electric platform will likely result in a cabin that is spacious for the B-Segment’s standards. Renault has yet to show photos of the interior but it is safe to assume that it will use sustainable materials for the upholstery and clever infotainment solutions for entry-level models coinciding with the EV’s affordable character.
Just like the earlier Clio-bodied R5 mules, the pre-production prototypes of the R5 were built in the Technocentre facility near Paris. The prototype facility which opened its doors 25 years ago, imitates the manufacturing process of the regular factories, resulting in an accurate representation of the final production model. Renault revealed it will build over 60 units of the R5 for testing and validation purposes before large-scale production commences at the Douai plant in northern France.
What About Specs And Pricing?
The R5 will ride on the new CMF-BEV architecture which will also be used in the upcoming EV-only Nissan Micra and in many other small-sized models from the Renault Group. Power will come from a front-mounted electric motor producing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS), matching the output of Stellantis’ entry-level EVs. The base model will feature a 40 kWh floor-mounted battery while higher-spec variants will get a larger 52 kWh unit allowing an electric range of up to 400 km (249 miles).
Alpine has already teased a performance variant of the R5 with the A290_B Concept. The electric hot hatch will combine an extensively redesigned bodykit with more power and a sportier chassis setup.
The European market launch of the new R5 is scheduled for 2024. The model is set to replace the aging Zoe, but it will be offered alongside the recently facelifted Renault Clio which will serve as an ICE-powered alternative. According to earlier reports, Renault targets an entry price of less than €25k ($27k) for the R5, matching the VW ID.2 rival which is set to follow in 2025.
