Irish pricing for the much-anticipated Renault 5 E-Tech electric has finally been announced. The new R5 will be available here early in 2025 from just €25,995 including incentives, rising to €32,995 for the higher spec.
The original Renault 5 sold over 5.5 million units across five continents from 1972 to 1985. Always ahead of its time, it was the first car to achieve fuel consumption below the symbolic 5 litres/100km at 90km/h, and was even available in an electric version as far back as 1974.
Built on the AmpR Small platform, the new 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 ).
With a power output of up to 110 kW / 150hp, a range of up to 400km (WLTP ) and DC charging up to 100 kW, the new Renault 5 boasts 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.
The 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 (WLTP ). The second has a capacity of 40 kWh for a range of up to 300km (WLTP ).
The 110 kW motor is paired with the 52 kWh battery, while the 90 kW motor is paired with the 40 kWh battery. The former will be available at launch, with the other following at a later date. For the 110 kW version, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in under eight seconds.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be the first in a long series of cars from the brand to be fitted with the new 11 kW AC bidirectional charger featuring V2L (vehicle-to-load ) for connecting a device to the vehicle battery and V2G (vehicle-to-grid ) for feeding electricity back into the grid and saving on home charging.
This 11 kW AC bidirectional charger will be operational on both the 110 kW and 90 kW versions. With an 11 kW AC charging point, the 52kWh battery will take 4hrs 30 minutes to charge from 10 to 100 per cent. The 40kWh battery will take an hour less.
For DC fast charging, the 110kW powertrain has a 100 kW DC socket to charge the 52 kWh battery. The 90 kW powertrain is equipped with an 80 kW DC socket to charge the 40 kWh battery. In both cases, it will take just 30 minutes to charge the battery from 15 to 80 per cent.
The award winning OpenR Link multimedia system with Google built-in has proved hugely popular since its launch on the Megane E-Tech electric. This takes centre stage on the 10-inch digital instrument panel of Renault 5 E-Tech electric, providing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant and a host of apps (50 or more depending version ) via the Google Play catalogue.
The new Renault 5 is only 9cm shorter than the Clio, but it still has a generous boot capacity of 326 litres, which 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.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be available from launch in five body colours, including Pop Yellow (pictured ) and Pop Green. The three other shades are: Artic White, Diamond Black and Midnight Blue. The two-tone paintwork with the Diamond Black roof will also be available on some trim levels.
Reflecting Renault's decision to keep production in France, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be assembled in Douai, the battery pack will be manufacturer in Ruitz, while the motor will be produced at the Cléon plant in Normandy.
