Unveiled the Renault 5 E-Tech electric

Presentata la Renault 5 E-Tech elettrica

Fun, iconic, innovative and in tune with modern times, the Renault 5 is back, reinvented to bring some sparkle to the world of compact electric vehicles.

The Renault 5 E-Tech electric, faithful to the 2021 concept car, harks back to this glorious past while building on the enduring love-affair it shared with many. Yet it is also the epitome of modernity, from its all-electric AmpR small car platform through to its agile handling and cool, new technology. That includes Reno, the avatar who is ready to partner you on every journey, and a unique charging indicator on the bonnet.

A unique and emotive design

Renault 5 E-Tech electric fuses evocative design cues from three models: Renault 5 and Supercinq for their overall look, and Renault 5 Turbo for its wing extenders and attitude, sitting squarely on the road.

Unique in the Renault range, the light signature features two rectangles with rounded corners positioned in the front bumper, in the same place as the fog lamps on the Renault 5 Turbo. A floating design with the same rectangular effect is etched into the glass of the full LED headlamps.

Modern proportions

Renault 5 E-Tech electric is modern in every way, with large 18-inch wheels at each corner, and minimal overhangs in a car less than 4m long (3.92m). The wheels are flush with the body, with wide tracks (1.55m at the front and 1.53m at the rear).

The vent grille on the bonnet of the original car has been reinvented to keep up with the times. Today, it is a charge indicator in the form of the iconic number 5. When the driver approaches the vehicle, it lights up, illustrating the close interaction between human and machine.

Inside Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the dashboard stylishly combines the most outstanding features of several generations of Renault 5: for example, the two-tier structure facing the passenger, the padded transverse layout, and the rectangular instrument cluster with rounded edges.

The seats are upholstered in grey fabric, with the H in heather yellow, and a large printed ‘5’, also in yellow. This upholstery is made from 100% recycled fabric.

The battery is placed under the floor to provide generous boot capacity of 326 litres (277 dm3 VDA). This places the car at the top end of the electric city car segment, and even ahead of several bigger traditional ICE-powered city cars. Easy to access with its high floor, the boot can also be divided using the 60-40 split/fold three-seater rear bench.

A further 19 litres of storage capacity is provided by various compartments around the cabin.

Renault 5 E-Tech electric is the first car to be built on AmpR Small, the new all-electric platform developed to showcase its iconic design, with no trade-off in performance.

The new AmpR Small platform is calibrated to enable Renault 5 E-Tech electric to deliver a level of performance and driving sensations on a par with its dynamic design. Setting a new standard in its segment, it further optimises the front suspension with a steering system that has a very short gear ratio (13.7) for unrivalled agility. The rear suspension features multi-link geometry, formerly reserved for vehicles further up the market. Its advantages include more dynamic performance on tight corners and greater stability on wider corners, as well as improved comfort by cutting percussion noise. In the case of Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the advantages are not limited solely to the performance of the running gear. The geometry of the platform also allows the integration of a larger battery (52 kWh), for a range of up to 400km / 248miles WLTP despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions.

The new One Box system groups the braking and ESP functions in the same module to reduce the space required under the bonnet.

The brake pedal is not connected to the callipers, but to an ECU that prioritises energy recovery before switching to the braking system if necessary. The driver can also use the gear lever to select a B mode with increased regeneration.

The heat pump maintains thermal comfort in the passenger compartment, working with the 8 kW HVCH (High Voltage Coolant Heater) system, to save as much energy as possible from the battery. This feature quickly brings the cabin up to a comfortable temperature after start-up when the vehicle is cold. To pre-warm and defrost the vehicle before start-up, the cabin and battery can be preconditioned, either by programming the system or by switching it on remotely from the My Renault app.

Designed for the city and beyond, Renault 5 E-Tech electric offers a choice of motors and batteries, reflecting the intended use of the car. With a power output of up to 110 kW / 150hp, a range of up to 400km / 248miles WLTP and DC charging up to 100 kW, it has all the qualities of a larger car, whilst maintaining its lightness and agility. A rarity in the electric city car segment, it can even tow a trailer, with a towing capacity of 500kg.

Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be available with two lithium-ion batteries. The biggest, which will be the only one available at market launch, has a capacity of 52 kWh and a range of up to 400km/ 248 miles WLTP. The second has a capacity of 40 kWh for a range of up to 300km / 186 miles WLTP. Both use NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) technology, for the best energy density on the market today.

These battery modules are designed to improve energy density without increasing size. The 52 kWh battery includes four large modules in its casing, compared with the 12 smaller modules found on Megane E-Tech electric and Zoe. This simplified architecture brings weight savings of 20kg compared with Zoe. A total of 46 cells are assembled in each of the four modules, each weighing around 55kg.

The 40 kWh battery has just three large modules in the same casing. Each of these three modules includes 31 cells of increased thickness, weighing in at around 240kg.

For improved performance in all conditions, the battery is equipped with a liquid cooling system to regulate its temperature. For greater safety, the cooling fluid does not circulate inside the casing but through the extruded floor.

The electric motor of Renault 5 E-Tech electric uses Renault’s preferred technology: wound rotor synchronous. As it has no permanent magnets, it uses no rare earths, thereby reducing its environmental impact. The magnets are replaced by copper coils, with the wires being ordered and routed in such a way as to withstand the centrifugal force of the rotor.

Based directly on the motor of Megane E-Tech electric and Scenic E-Tech electric, Renault 5 E-Tech electric also benefits from the experience acquired with other electric motors, such as on Zoe, in terms of durability. It also gains several new features, including new-generation power electronics (inverter) and reworked reduction gear. The difference can be seen in size and weight. The motor is 15kg lighter with a rotor that has been made 3cm shorter to fit under the bonnet of Renault 5 E-Tech electric.

The AC/DC converter, transforming the 400V from the battery to 12V, and the accessory box managing power distribution, have been integrated into the charger in order to save space. The new powertrain weighs just 105kg, including the charger.

The motor is available with two power ratings: 110 kW (150hp / 245Nm) or 90 kW (120hp / 225Nm). The 110 kW motor is paired with the 52 kWh battery, while the 90 kW motor is paired with the 40 kWh battery. The first motor will be available at launch, with the other following at a later date.

A full range of services to take advantage of the charms of V2G and V2L

With the V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology available on new Renault 5 E-Tech electric with the 11 kW AC bidirectional charger, users can save on the cost of home front wh, while benefiting from low-carbon electricity that can be fed back into the power grid in order to meet demand.

With the V2L (vehicle-to-load) technology built into Renault 5 E-Tech electric’s bidirectional charger, users can connect a 220V appliance, such as a hoover, kettle or electric barbecue to the car’s battery, via an optional adapter. The power output of this function is 3,700 watts.

Preliminary specifications, awaiting fully homologated data: