Announced two years ago, the electric Renault 5 is making headlines again with the start of testing of its prototypes. The successor to the Renault Zoé materializes a year and a half before its planned launch, the future model should offer a more accessible gateway into the world of the electric car. A future rival of the hypothetical Tesla Model A?
Reviving an icon such as the Renault 5 is a daring bet, especially when it comes to electrifying the stars that are the R5, Super 5 and Turbo 5. If we don’t yet know anything about the future B-segment compact, apart from what we saw of the concept car revealed two years ago, it should be much cheaper than the Zoé, currently offered at around €35,000.
The Renault 5 E-Tech is an important model for the brand, which intends to carve out a place for itself in the electric city car market, which is why Renault starts communication very early, revealing its information in small touches.
Tests of the recent CMF-B EV platform have started in various Renault test centers, such as Aubevoye. The curious will unfortunately only be able to see a Clio driving in silence. In automotive jargon, it is a mule, a prototypical vehicle hiding the heart of the car under a different body.
If Renault CEO Luca De Meo’s bet to launch a car for less than €20,000 seems difficult to heed given soaring costs, it’s a safe bet that the Renault 5 will be among the electric cars the most accessible.
For this, Renault uses the new CMF-B EV platform (Common Module Family, B for the segment). Coming from the CMF-B platform, already used on the Clio and Captur, it would allow the brand to reduce production costs by 30% compared to the Zoé, according to Renault.
In addition, the diamond firm would use a wound-rotor synchronous motor, as on the Zoé and the Mégane E-Tech, offering better efficiency than the permanent magnet motor, while controlling the ecological footprint of its R5 E-Tech. . Renault announces a reduction of 20 kg compared to the engine of the Zoé, and 15 kg on the battery pack with four large modules (compared to 12 for the Zoé). A light city car taking advantage of the electric torque and which promises increased driving pleasure: this should appeal to people looking for an exciting car.