Renault 5 reborn – icon returns as a £25,000 electric car with retro looks

Back in 2021, the internet broke when Renault debuted an electric concept car based on the cult classic Renault 5.

And now the French manufacturer is keeping fans happy by turning its original reborn Renault 5 concept into reality: A 21st century all-electric reincarnation of the classic 5 hatchback will be hitting the road this time next year.

The new Renault 5 E-Tech – officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show – is available to pre-order now with first deliveries expected in early 2025.

Renault’s zero-emissions ‘super-modern retro-istic pop icon’ take on the original Renault 5 will start from around £25,000 and come with nearly 250 miles of range.

Ray Massey at the Geneva Motor Show with the newly-unveiled Renault 5 E-Tech, an all-electric production version of the 2021 concept car that was based on the classic Renault 5 from 1972

The Renault 5 E-Tech will start at £25,000 and have a maximum range of 248 miles

The design is ’95 per cent’ the same as the 2021 concept car Renault says, and combines sporty design with ‘humanised’ features

It’s full of French fun design elements including this baguette basket, which can double as handy flower holder when someone’s in a romantic mood

Rebirth of a ‘Cinderella’ classic

The new Renault 5 was re-born in late 2020 when the then new chief executive, Luca de Meo, arrived to inspect the troops in late 2020 and, to the alarm of long-serving executives, started nosing around the design studio.

While there, the charismatic Italian spotted a half-hidden full-scale prototype model of a small hatchback that intrigued him.

He told me that he asked a designer what it was. ‘It’s a study for a modern take on a retro hatchback’, came the resigned reply. ‘But we’ve been told that Renault doesn’t do retro, so it’s not going anywhere’.

It was at this exact moment that de Meo experienced a classic light-bulb moment — which he told me was pure ‘gut’ reaction.

And, then, with a wave of ‘fairy godmother’ de Meo’s wand, the car in question was instantly transformed from being an overlooked, half-forgotten and under-appreciated Cinderella design destined for the dustbin of history, to being a glamorous star going to the ball.

When in 2021 de Meo outlined his blueprint to transform his company for the challenges of the 21st century, he stressed that his plan to resurrect and update the classic Renault 5 super-mini as a pure electric hatchback would be a centrepiece of his recovery plan and see the firm ‘reconnect with its past’.

The original Renault 5 gained cult status during the 1980s and was driven by the likes of Joanna Lumley, photographed washing hers outside her flat in London’s Holland Park, and by actress Barbara Carrera in the 007 movie Never Say Never Again starring Sean Connery in 1983.

De Meo, who in his former role at Italy’s Fiat spearheaded the recent revival of the retro 500 – now reborn as an electric-only supermini – told me: ‘At the time, the 5 was not even there as a project. The whole thing was done in a month and a half. Sometimes there’s no big strategy. It’s from the guts.’

But it won’t stop there. The classic Renault 4 is set to be the next classic for a retro reincarnation.

Joanna Lumley washing her Renault 5 outside her flat in Holland Park, London. In order to meet regulations to race, 200 versions of a road-going version of the same vehicle had to be produced over a 12-month period

Barbara Carrera drove the car in Never Say Never Again in 1983. The 5 Turbo, of which 4,987 were built in total and are today highly sought-after collectible models, sold at auction for as much as £80,000 in recent years

The Renault 5 comes in four trims and a range of colours including Yellow Pop and Green Pop

The Renault badge is front and centre and flanked by LED headlights that wink hello and goodbye

The ‘5’ at the front lights up and doubles as a charging indicator in a neat design feature

History of the Renault 5

The original Renault 5 hatchback went on sale from 1972 and sold more than 5.5 million cars between then and 1985.

There was even a limited-run electric version in 1974.

It was replaced in 1990 by the Renault Clio, as epitomised in the UK by Nicole and Papa, although it remained in some markets as late as 1996.

The Renault 5 was France’s biggest selling car between 1972 and 1986 and earned cult status when a road legal version of the 5 Turbo Group B rally car – to which the electric revival bears a particular likeness – was launched.

The 5 Turbo, of which 4,987 were built, is today a highly sought-after collectible model which has sold at auction for as much as £80,000.

The boxier Renault 4 went on sale in July 1961 and more than 8 million were sold across 100 countries over the course of 31 years.

Renault said the 5’s return is ‘the rebirth of a cult car, more modern than ever’ and part of its plans ‘to reconnect with its past’ .

Much like its best-selling 1972 predecessor, this 5 E-Tech will be a small, nippy runaround that won’t break the bank – targeting at the cost-conscious buyer. The difference this time, of course, being the all-electric part.

Along with some other state-of-the-art tech, the 5 E-Tech will come with bi-directional charging which you can use to feed electricity back to your home, gadgets or the energy grid.

Size-wise it sits between a Twingo and a Clio, with sportier look.

The Renault badge sits bang-slap in the middle of the front end, but the rear is badgeless with just has the words ‘Renault 5’. There’s a large air intake on the front bumper (for battery and motor cooling), LED headlights, conventional door handles up front and concealed handles on the back doors, and vertically-stacked spine-like tail lights. Same as the Renault Megane E-Tech the charging port is located by the front wheel arches.

But really when it comes to design, this car is all about charm. It’s packed with personality inside and out – it’s a car to have fun with.

Renault says the production car is ’95 per cent faithful’ to the concept, while using an array of recycled materials including denim made from recycled plastic bottles.

And Renault actively wanted to ‘humanise’ the 5 E-Tech: The LED lights light up and wink a hello or goodbye at the driver, the customisable steering wheel mounted gear-selector is in the shape of a Chanel lipstick holder, and there’s even a baguette basket clipped to the centre console so hungry French drivers can transport their baguettes in style.

Helpfully too the vent on the bonnet of the original car is now an exterior charge-level indicator in the shape of the number 5 – and it also lights up as you approach.

The scene stealer in the interior is the Google infotainment screen but analogue enthusiasts will love that buttons are back too

The seats are made from recycled materials and have a sporty-retro look with contrast stitching

The interior has contrast bright pop colours throughout as well as recycled materials including denim made from old plastic bottles

Inside sporty styling continues the overall theme inspired by the iconic R5 Turbo of the late ’70’s and ’80’s. It’s retro meets very modern tech: The recycled-fabric seats, door inserts and dash stitching match the exterior colour (in this case yellow) and there’s air vents that hark back to the original 5 as well as dashboard buttons.

But the main draw is the Google infotainment screen: It has voice command with AI ChatGPT called ‘Reno’ (just say ‘Hey Reno to activate) and on-board soundscapes developed by composer Jean-Michel Jarre.

The external alarm that warns pedestrians is also designed by Jarre.

The car will be available in five colours (including Yellow Pop and Green Pop) and the UK will get four trim levels including the range-topping ‘Roland Garros’ version.

You’ll be able to choose between a 40kW battery that delivers 186 miles of range, or a 52kW battery that stretches to 248 miles.

0 to 62mph in 9 seconds with the 90kW (120hp) electric motor or save a slightly pointless 1.1 seconds off that time by opting for the 110kW (150hp). Top speed is 93mph.

Available only as front-wheel wheel-drive, there will be no all-wheel drive version – which makes sense as it’s really a city car.

At-home wallbox charging will take three and a half hours and a powerful public rapid charger will give 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes. And don’t forget the handy bi-directional charging which Renault says can save owners up to 50 per cent of their vehicle charging costs.

Will it fit in my garage? Renault 5 E-Tech

Price: £25,000 options

On sale: To pre-order now. £150 priority pass

First deliveries: Early 2025 options

Seats: 5

Length: 3,922mm Width: 1,808mm Height: 1,499mm Wheelbase: 2,541mm

Weight: 1372kg to 1456kg

Wheel size: 18-inch horsepower (on Disco, Techno and Chrome trim)

Battery-size: 40 kW and 52kW

Range: 40kW up to 186 miles and 52kW up to 248 miles

Electric motor and power: 90kW (120bhp) and 110kW (150bhp)

0 to 62: 90kW – 9 seconds and 110kW 7.9 seconds

Top speed: 93mph

Drive: Front-wheel drive (no rear-wheel drive planned)

Emissions: Zero

Towing: 500kgs

Boot: 326 litres

Charging (too 100%) 11kW AC wallbox: 40kW – 3.5 hours, 52kW – 4.5 hours

Charging (to 80%) 100kW DC rapid charging: 40kW – 29 minutes 52kW – 31 minutes

Body colours: 5 (including Yellow Pop and Green Pop)

UK trim levels: Evolution, Techno, Iconic 5 and (sporty) Roland Garros

Features: ChatGPT, Bi-directional charging to feed electricity back to home or grid and electric car pedestrian warning sound by composer Jean-Michel Jarre