We went to the roads of Monaco to understand what was inside the new Renault tram. It’s true that the brand promised a lot and the design encouraged the return of a classic from the past. Does the Renault 5 E-Tech keep the soul of that old and missed R5?
What are we talking about?
The inheritance is heavy. At issue is a car that alone has sold more than 5.5 million units. This was between 1972 and 1996. Will this one be up to the task?
This new proposal presents itself as a small electric car, which is located in a part of the price range curve with a very good value. At launch, the 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech will include a 52 kWh "comfort range" lithium-ion battery, with a WLTP range of 410 km. However, according to the brand, a second 40 kWh battery will soon be launched, with a WLTP range of up to 300 km, and will be available to order with 70 kW and 90 kW powertrains.
Therefore, the cheapest bet must reach the market with a price below 25 thousand euros.
The car has an elegant chassis that makes anyone behind the wheel smile. The preference for manufacturing at the Douai factory is noted. That place reserved for a privileged few. This car has that I don't know what!
Small on the outside, but big on arguments
It's not a car with a lot of interior space, but that doesn't mean it's uncomfortable.
In fact, it is a very well-utilized space, which could be more cramped for passengers in the back row. But they won't be uncomfortable, unless they are passengers with a more Viking look.
Renault calls them H seats; one-piece backrests with rectangular reinforcements. A hazy yellow color with Iconic finish and yellow stitching on the dashboard. The Techno trim gets black denim with blue seats. According to the brand, these materials are recycled.
The boot is a "decent" 326 liters, including a useful compartment for cables (or anything else the size of a backpack) under the floor.
Think of a trunk to store everyday purchases, or a backpack, possibly two small travel bags, coats, an umbrella... the trivial stuff! It all fits.
In terms of measurements, the new R5 measures 3.92 meters in length, falling between the Twingo (30 cm shorter) and the Clio (13 cm longer).
It has an optimized wheelbase (2.54 meters), around 4 cm shorter than the Clio.
Regarding width, the tram measures 1.77 meters, great for urban environments, and 1.50 meters in height. This is 6cm higher than the Clio and 5cm lower than the Twingo.
Therefore, we are talking about a compact set, without being squeezed and without losing important areas as we will realize.
Renaulution: what is promised is due!
Between the presentation of concept, revealed in 2021 and the presentation of the production model in early 2024, there was some anxiety to understand whether the brand's designers had not deviated from what they promised.
We switched to static presentation mode and the certainty that the car would be a success deepened. I needed to feel the R5 in my hands. We crossed paths with him again at the Paris Motor Show, but it was on the roads of the Côte d'azur and the winding curves of Monte Carlo that we enjoyed it!
During our test, we were able to see that the electric R5 was a real hit with passersby.
Have no doubt, through the rich streets of Monaco, the head-turner didn't get lost among the cars that overflow in the Monegasques' parking lots. Between a Ferrari Purosangue and a Lamborghini Urus, our green 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech caught the eye. The color is an asset of this car. Our greenery gave a fresh look there.
Speaking of colors, this B-segment city car is available in 5 colors. It follows the general idea of its first version released in the 60s, but with some improvements (basically everything is new, of course!).
The new LED lights give a unique touch, connecting a little to what was the beginning, but integrate perfectly into the construction of the car. They give a modern, young and technological touch.
In the cabin, the choice of materials is balanced (and intelligent) for an urban vehicle of this price. In fact, they are of good quality regardless of which version you choose. Fabric reigns supreme, which certainly provides more comfort than the cold, hard plastic that we see in many current models.
In fact, the touch of jeans, with bold patterns, gives the car that youthful, simple and lasting detail.
The infotainment system is one of the best available, with OpenR Link, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and the Reno - yes, it has AI to help with some tasks, as we can see below.
For driving quality
As with many city cars, we expected the R5 electric car to not be as good to drive. Yes, it is always a hasty judgment, but it is habit that makes the monk! And we know that light, small cars, as a rule, have some deficit in dynamics, stability and some "defects" typical of too much engine power and little structural support.
This error in judgment was quickly corrected, as the performance of the 110 kW engine and its 245 Nm of torque are “breathtaking”.
With a turning radius of 10.3 meters, the car is very efficient in its maneuvers, a pleasure to behold. THE stiffer steering gives that feeling of security.
The 110 kW motor and large 52 kWh lithium-ion battery, with an NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cathode, increase the car's range, in the WLTP cycle, to 410 km.
The handling is also remarkable, thanks to its low weight of 1,450 kg and its chassis. In the curves, we did not notice any imbalance and its braking quality is exemplary.
Brake management can be a problematic point in electric vehicles, as the mechanism has to combine regeneration and friction. The new decoupled One Box system solves this problem by avoiding the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the hydraulic braking system: the electronic system manages the entire braking phase and the delicate exchange between the two technologies is imperceptible to the driver.
For everyday use, it particularly shines in the city thanks to its size. Its soundproofing against external noise is also particularly surprising. Finally, the Renault 5 E-Tech is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds.
The electric motor is progressive and, frankly, quick enough - it feels balanced against the tires. It starts smoothly (unless you use the automatic parking brake, which tends to release with a click) and then picks up pace smoothly.
The mode button - called MultiSense - is on the steering wheel and Eco limits the power, which makes it smoother when you're in traffic or running errands. hypermilinga very fashionable technique these days.
MultiSense settings adapt the sensory experience to the driver's preferences through four modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco and Personal.
Then there are the Comfort and Sport modes, plus a Personal modewhere you can configure the pedal map, the aggressiveness of the air conditioning and the cruise radar, as well as the colors of the environment.
Each mode combines the various equipment settings to provide a different driving atmosphere and characteristics (e.g. steering weight and accelerator pedal response).
Want more than 150 hp? Then the Alpine A290 is your choice. (Keep this phrase as it will trigger a new chapter of this Renault epic!)
Present on all versions, the large 18-inch wheels are a key element of the ideal proportions of the 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech. Summer tires 195/55 R18 were designed by Continental and all-season tires by Goodyear.
When approaching a curve, the brakes are also progressive, in that the braking force increases proportionally to the travel. THE system is completely electrical, without any mechanical connection between the pedal and the pads.
A controller balances regeneration with friction so it doesn't feel like a transition. It does not change even when the battery is full and cannot receive regenerated energy.
Under the hood, the R5 has a 5 divided into 4 parts. Each of them represents 25% of the battery, allowing us to know the energy consumed and what we still have left.
In terms of suspension, we're not talking about a feather pillow, which it isn't! At city speeds, the ride is quite firm, but never harsh or noisy.
As speed increases on bumpy roads, the springs will handle large impacts with great dexterity. In fact, sometimes it gives the impression of a car with even more weight, which is a compliment.
As the stabilizer bars are soft, the occupants are not rocked and feel firm. And the sophisticated rear suspension keeps high-frequency harshness well under control.
This refinement, as well as the progressive steering controls, makes the R5 feel like a bigger, more grown-up car when that's what we need.
Did you know that the R5 features AI?
The 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech is the first car to feature Reno, a new virtual travel companion. An avatar with a real personality, Reno accompanies and interacts with Renault customers throughout their entire user experience, inside and outside the car. The feeling of empathy created will reinforce the emotional connection between the user and their 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech.
Inside the car, Reno incorporates technology with a human touch and guides the driver as he explores the car and its features. He is also a virtual co-pilot: he skillfully controls various functions related to driving and charging.
It responds to your voice, but can also be proactive, spontaneously suggesting new settings when driving conditions change (e.g. switching from Sport mode to Eco mode at the right time depending on the driving context). The Reno may also suggest switching to the air conditioning's "auto" mode if it detects a risk of fogging.
The Renault 5 E-Tech 100% has an avatar, the Reno... pic.twitter.com/NFOQ3Cimlu
— Pplware (@pplware) October 21, 2024
An unbeatable quality/price ratio
The issue of price is often a thorny one, especially when it comes to buying a car... with Portugal's taxation. With this model, Renault's promise is to offer all the expected features without exploding the price of the car.
Although a version priced below 25,000 euros is planned, this electric car currently starts at 33,000 euros (Techno), rising to 35,000 euros (Iconic).
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
