Renault 5 E-Tech Launch adds new retro cool to UK roads

Renault’s retro inspired 5 E-Tech EV is available to order now with prices starting from £22,995. The car has already launched in other European markets but its later arrival in the UK means the full range (excuse the pun) will be available at launch. 

There will be the two powertrains available – a 120hp motor powered by a 40kWh battery with a stated 190-mile range, and a 150hp motor with a 52kWh battery with a stated 248-mile range. There’s a simple three-version line-up from launch, evolution, techno, and iconic along with five suitably eye-catching colour options include Pop Yellow! and Pop Green!

The 5 E-Tech EV, is what Renault call a modern reinvention of the iconic original and like the Fiat 500, although it came from a combustion vehicle originally, should bring some interest to the world of small electric vehicles. 

For those who are averse to too much tech then the 5 E-Tech may not be entirely your thing as it’s filled with the latest technology including built-in Google services with EV-optimised navigation to its ability to power electric devices from the car. 

Standard fare across the range includes 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels a 10.1-inch central display and 7-inch digital driver information display, auto air conditioning, wireless smartphone (Apple CarPlay + Android Auto), cruise control, driver attention alert and traffic sign recognition with speed alert, rear parking sensors and full LED front and rear lighting.

Further up the range adaptive cruise control with stop & go, wireless phone charging, rear-view camera, two-tone paint options, heated steering wheel, heated front seats with lumbar adjustment, adaptive cruise control and hands-free parking
are included.

The interior of Renault 5 has denim upholstery, made from recycled materials, while the top line trim level has seats in heather yellow bearing a large printed ‘5’. A choice of body colours will be available from launch, two of which – Pop Yellow! and Pop Green! – are reminiscent of iconic shades that were present in the
1970s Renault 5.

The 120hp 40kwh battery model reaches the benchmark 62 mph in 9 seconds with its larger capacity 150hp 52kwh version shaving just over a second in a time of 7.9 seconds. From a performance point of view these aren’t especially quick times but one suspects the 5 E-Tech will prove my long-held view that a car doesn’t need to be fast to be fun.

Words by Mark Slack