Renault is working hard on it the imminent electric restart of the 5 hatchbackfirst teased in 2021. Now the French company has shared some additional information ahead of a 2024 debut.
The electric 5 rides on the CMF-B EV platform and uses up to 70% of the components of the Clio hatchback and Captur small SUV. It is the first model to use the platform – the Clio and Captur use the CMF-B architecture with combustion.
This hardware sharing approach allows Renault to reduce production costs by up to 30% compared to the Zoewhich was pulled from sale in New Zealand a few years ago due to a dismal safety rating, and will not get a new generation.
Delivered
The Renault 5 EV debuts in 2024 with tasty new technology.
Name the Zoe, that car uses 12 small modules to assemble its battery pack. However, the 5 will use four larger models, which Renault says will drop around 15kg of curb weight. They will also increase energy density and increase underbody stiffness through better platform integration, which has the bonus effect of reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. Range was previously pegged at around 400km per charge.
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At the back there will be a multi-link rear suspension, which is quite rare in the segment and should result in an improved driving experience.
Multi-link rear suspension and a low-mounted, stiffer battery pack should make for a great-driving hatchback.
“The new CMF-B EV platform is a great opportunity from a ‘product point of view’ as it means that the future electric Renault 5 will boast real driving pleasure while remaining highly competitive for its segment,” said Delphine De Andria, B- EV Segment Product Performance Director at Renault.
Power-wise, the motor will be an electrically-excited synchronous motor, similar to what powers the Zoe and Megane E-Tech, offering better output than a permanent magnet motor. It also does not require rare earths, meaning that large-scale production costs and environmental impact are both lower.
Renault says it will combine the DC/DC converter (which turns the 400V battery into 12V), the battery charger and the accessory box that manages power distribution into one unit. This reduces the weight of the powertrain by a further 20kg compared to the Zoe, again improving driving dynamics.
The engine will be a reworked version of what powers the Zoe.
Last we heard the engine was going to be lifted straight out of the Zoe, but now it sounds like there’s more to it. That means the previous figure of 100kW could change ahead of full launch.
As for the styling, the concept version of the car took many design cues from the original 5, produced from 1972 to 1996. It featured squared headlamps, squared air intakes with LED outlines and an interesting black bonnet patch near the windshield.
We’ll get more details as part of the teaser drip feed ahead of the Renault 5’s launch in 2024. It’ll likely look like an affordable commuter hatchback, while Renault’s performance arm, Alpine, will eventually join the party with a performance variant.