While the original Renault 5 ceased production a decade before I was even born, the appeal of the French classic was never lost on me. That model ran from 1972 to 1985, selling over 5.5 million units. So suffice to say, the revival of the Renault 5 has come with huge expectations.
Bringing back a beloved nameplate can go one of two ways in the eyes of the public. Ford being the perfect example of it going bad with its decision to resurrect the Capri fastback coupé as a chunky electric crossover SUV, met with pitchforks from the purists.
Renault, on the other hand, has nailed it. Yes, it is also a fully-electric revival, but it is impossible to drive the new Renault 5 E-Tech without a huge smile on your face. The R5 remains a small car, but is packed with personality inside and out.
Built on the AmpR Small platform, the new Renault 5 E-Tech is a refreshing addition to the electric vehicle market. It comes with the choice of two lithium-ion battery options; a 52kWh with a quoted range of 400km, and a 40kWh for a quoted range of up to 300km. I tested the larger battery, which returned just over 300km across a mix of rural and motorway driving. It is also the battery option that makes the most sense, as you get quicker DC charging speeds and a better power output (150hp compared to 120hp ).
Admittedly, there was a little voice inside my head that wished the new R5 had a petrol engine and a manual gearbox, but it is oh-so easy to look past that. There is not a dull feature on this car. The best example being the colour options, with boring grey excluded. There is a green, navy, white and a black, but really the head-turning 'Pop Yellow' is the only hue to pick.
The vent grille on the bonnet of the original car has even been reinvented as a clever charge indicator, in the form of the iconic number 5. The 18-inch wheels sit under circular wheel arches to give the R5 E-Tech a cool stance, while the light signature features two rectangles with rounded corners positioned in the front bumper, in the same place as the fog lamps on the R5 Turbo.
The leather-free interior features denim fabric on the seats, dashboard and door panels. The seats are upholstered in grey fabric, with the H in heather yellow, and a large printed '5', also in yellow. Facing the driver is a 10-inch digital instrument panel displaying driving information, while the central multimedia screen is also 10-inch and comes with Google built-in.
Similar to other new Renault models, the gear selector in the R5 E-Tech is annoyingly located behind the steering wheel in close proximity to the wiper stalk. Far from a deal breaker but it is an odd design decision.
To my surprise, I was able to fit two sets of golf clubs and one cabin-sized suitcase into the 326-litre boot. That was without folding rear seats, although I did need to remove the boot cover. Rear passenger legroom is snug, but would suit kids comfortably.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric is priced from €25,995 and brings a welcome sparkle to the world of EVs.
