We might get the funky Renault 5 after all … as a Ford! Blue Oval’s next-gen Fiesta and Puma EVs to have French origins

Ford and Renault have announced they’re teaming up to launch at least two new small, affordable electric cars.

To be based on Renault’s Ampere (also known as AmpR) EV platform, the alliance will spawn a Fiesta-sized small car based on the Renault 5 and a Puma-sized small EV based on the Renault 4.

The R5-based ‘Fiesta’ will be in European showrooms early 2028.

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Ford hasn’t revealed when the Renault 4-based Puma EV lands, but it’s thought it will follow shortly after the small hatch.

The pair will not only be based on Ampere but also employ the R5 and R4 powertrain tech.

At the moment it’s not clear what implications this move might have locally. The standard R5 is not confirmed for Australia, with only the Renault 5 Turbo 3E hot hatch currently headed our way.

Ford has not revealed whether Fiesta or Puma could make it back to Australia. If affordable, they would boost local EV stocks, which are currently limited to the Mustang Mach-E passenger car and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans.

It cancelled plans to bring the current Puma EV to Australia 12 months ago.

Probably not helping an Aussie business case, Ford and Renault have also revealed the new Fiesta and Puma will be built at the same Renault-owned ElectriCity complex in Douai, France.

Ford also has substantial US-based EV plans that are expected to be part of future local EV structure. It can also use China as a source, as other brands such as Mazda are increasingly doing.

Where the new Ford EVs will differ from the Nissan Micra (not coming to Australia), which is merely a rebadged Renault 5, is an entirely new design created in-house.

Beneath the skin the Fiesta and Puma will also gain a distinct suspension tune.

In a statement, Ford said both cars would “feature distinctive driving dynamics”, with “authentic” brand DNA and “intuitive experiences”.

From launch, it’s expected the Fiesta and Puma will come with the choice of either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh power pack for a range of up to 400km.

Later on, faster versions that could be branded ST and should boost the outputs to either 130kW or 160kW. That matches the outputs of the sporty Alpine A290 hatch, which can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds.

While not explicitly confirming it will revive the Fiesta nameplate, the return of a small affordable hatch comes after the Blue Oval walked away from the segment after eight generations and almost 50 years in 2023.

The motivation for the introduction of a low-cost family of EVs comes after Ford’s market share in Europe slumped from a high of 12 per cent to less than 4 per cent.

The dramatic drop-off in sales is said to be linked to slow uptake of the Volkswagen-based Capri and Explorer SUVs that in part prompted the US car-maker to cancel an all-electric switch by 2030.

Ford now finds itself in desperate need of new product within the European region following its decision to also axe the Focus hatch last month, leaving just a small range of SUVs and commercials with a high price point that’s a deterrent for some markets.

It’s not known why Ford didn’t expand its existing relationship with Volkswagen and base the new Fiesta on the German brand’s latest MEB Entry platform that will be used for the next ID. Polo hatch and ID. Cross SUV.

One theory is the Renault brand is ahead of VW when it comes to the cost efficiency of its latest Ampere platform, with some suggestions that the Renault partnership will offer the Blue Oval EVs a higher-profit margin.

As well as small EVs, the new Renault-Ford deal is also said to involve co-developing vans, but no details have been released on what segment they will compete in.

Ford already builds both the VW Amarok and Transporter – based on Ranger and Transit Custom – respectively on behalf of the German brand, but it’s not known if the Blue Oval will build the new family of Ford-Renault vans.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said: “The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the-future business in Europe.

“We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable and distinctly Ford in spirit.”