Fantastic 5: 2024 Renault 5 teased in production form ahead of its launch at the Geneva motor show

The 2024 Renault 5 hatch has been previewed for the first time following the French
car-maker releasing multiple images that give us a glimpse of how it will evolve the 2021
concept-car fantasy into production-car reality.

Locked in for a full reveal on February 26 at the 2024 Geneva motor show, the first pics
preview a cool entry EV that could be on sale in Australia as soon as next year priced from
less than $40,000.

The fresh pics include our first look at the Renault 5’s redesigned headlamp that has
switched to a crescent-shaped LED headlight, rather than the concept’s larger projector-
style lamp.

Other changes, compared to the concept that was first revealed back in 2021, include a
larger charge indicator embedded within the bonnet that includes a ‘5’ logo that fills to
communicate how full the battery is or how much longer it needs to charge.

Staying faithful to the original, the flared arches carry over pretty much unchanged from
before that hint at squat and wide sporty hot hatch proportions.

Finally, the good stylistic news continues when it comes to the rear boot lid. Despite
dropping the show car’s cool OLED full-width light bar and lamps there’s three-dimensional
stacked LED lamps that pay tribute to the 1972 R5 and a slimline lightbar.

What’s missing is the cool diamond-shaped illuminated ‘5’ logo.

Full technical details of the R5 will remain under wraps until its unveil but Renault has said
that range-topping versions will come with a 52kWh battery that will provide for a range of
up to 400km.

Luckily, there’s lots we already know about the incoming retro hatch and that includes that
it will be based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s all-new CMF-B EV
architecture created specifically for small EVs.

To keep costs low the new platform shares 70 per cent of parts from the CMF-B combustion
platform that’s used for cars like the current Renault Clio. It all ensures the R5 is up to 30
per cent cheaper to build compared to the outgoing Renault ZOE.

Despite the rapid cost-cutting the R5 won’t miss out on the hardware needed to ensure it
will be great to drive, with the small Renault getting a multi-link rear suspension that, combined with a lower centre of gravity, is claimed to set a new benchmark for handling in its class.

We also know the Renault 5 will incorporate extensive weight-saving throughout, including
a novel battery arrangement that sees the power pack split into four modules that slashes
weight by around 15kg compared to the ZOE’s 52kWh battery.

A smaller, lighter 40kWh battery pack will also be offered on the cheapest models.
A further 20kg is saved by integrating the charger, converter and electronics into one casing.

When launched, it’s thought the most basic Renault 5 will come with a single 100kW electric
motor that will drive the front wheels.

If that doesn’t sound punchy enough you’ll have to spend more and snap up the hot hatch
that will be based on Alpine A290 Beta concept – that car is primed to get a more muscular
160kW electric motor but remain front-wheel drive.

Expect the Alpine-branded A290 baby hot hatch, which will go head-to-head with the new
Abarth 500e, to also bag sports suspension and a more aggressive body kit.

Faster variants will follow including one that could be inspired by the wild 280kW Renault 5
Turbo 3E concept.

New tech introduced by the R5 includes bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging,
allowing owners to feed electricity back into the power grid.

When it’s launched at the Geneva motor show on February 26, the 2024 Renault 5 is
expected to carry a price tag of less than €25,000 ($A41,000).

To beat the queues in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK,
Renault is inviting fans of the Renault 5 to spend €150 ($A250) for an R5 R Pass that gives
priority when placing an order. It will also reward them with a toy R5 and should ensure
they’ll be among the first owners to take delivery.

Timings for Australia have yet to be confirmed but it’s thought it will land either in late 2024
or in the first half of 2025.

Once launched Renault will introduce a more rugged R4 SUV that will feature a utilitarian
look and feel when it too land in our market around 2025.

As well as the small R5 and R4 Renault has also revealed that in 2026 it will roll out an all-
new Twingo EV that could be priced below $33,000.

Smaller in size than the R5 the next-gen Twingo will share plenty under the skin but get a
smaller less powerful powertrain that has been developed for class-leading efficiency.