Renault 5 Prototype revealed, set to be one of 7 new EVs
The Renault 5 is back. Fully electric, retro-inspired, designed to “democratise the electric car in Europe” and, well, looking bloody gorgeous.
The French brand – which announced it was moving into a new era as part of its “Renaulution” – will build a production version of this Renault 5 Prototype; one of seven new full-electric models on sale by 2025.
UPDATE: Renault promises to make EVs cheap with revival of 4 and 5 as part of EV onslaught
“Enjoy this one, because we will make it,” said Renault designer director Gilles Vidal at the car’s reveal. Good news indeed.
Vidal and his team have taken inspiration from Renault’s classic R5 (1972-1996), a city hatchback that was so enduringly popular it remained France’s best-selling car for 14 years. Little wonder the struggling brand is looking to its greatest hits for a reversal of fortunes.
Renault 5: Cult car reborn as EV
Renault’s calling the 5 Prototype “The rebirth of a cult car, more modern than ever.” In typical French lyrical style, we’re told it’s a “cute, pin-sized, city car…with a modern, 100% electric twist.” Most poetically, it has “kept the fun, anti-crisis and mischievous side with the pop of yellow headlights.”
No interior pictures or details on the electric setup were revealed, but when the reborn electric Renault 5 comes to market in the next few years it’d be an ideal replacement for the successful (if not in Australia) Zoe EV. Following earlier reports, it is likely to go on sale alongside another retro-inspired EV, this time of the classic Renault 4 (1961-1994).
Fans of the original R5 will notice the Prototype’s front and rear lights, slope of the tailgate and wheels being nods to the old hero city car, while the French Tricolore flag in the side mirrors are there to proudly highlight its “invented in France” origins.
Funky aspects include the bonnet air intake hiding the battery charging port, fog lamps in the bumper are daytime running lights, while the front and rear Renault badges illuminate, as do the ‘5’ logos behind the muscular, boxy arches.
Performance version too?
Speaking of boxy arches – and the Prototype’s red stripes – there are enough hints to show inspiration from the cult Renault 5 Turbos and Renault 5 Gordini hot hatches. An electric high performance version linked to the rebirth of Renault’s sporting sub-brand Alpine wouldn’t seem too far fetched.
Renault boss Luca de Meo announced all of Renault’s new models will have an electric or hybrid version as it transforms into a “tech, service and clean energy brand.”
Interestingly, hydrogen was also thrown into the eco mix as part of a fuel cell electric vehicle. “We’ll move to an energy brand, strengthening our EV leadership … and investing in hydrogen, aiming at achieving the greenest mix in Europe by 2025,” said de Meo.
Last October Renault revealed its electric Megane eVision concept SUV, hinting at the brand’s electric SUV coming to market later this year.
