Renault has unveiled the production version of its new Renault 5 E-Tech at the Geneva Motor Show. The all-electric compact hatchback is a full-on reboot of the Renault 5 of yore, but it’s more than a mere nostalgia operation. Rather, it’s a serious attempt at cornering the lower end of the EV market with a car that mixes technology, retro touches, a good range of about 400km, and an affordable entry-level price of €25.000. 

According to Renault, the production version of the car retains about 95% of the styling the company had already shown on the 2021 concept, with some minor changes. The overall design does a great job of bringing back the lines of the original Renault 5, with retro touches and futuristic lines that give the car an upgraded look. The rear of the car, with vertical tail lights integrated into the sides, is the most recognizable reference to the old 5, with other areas of the exterior that remind us of a ’90s Clio.

The interiors feature a two-step dashboard, with a 10-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch driver display contributing to the contemporary look. The seats’ material is made of recycled plastic bottles, adding to the overall sustainability of the vehicle, and can be customized with bright and poppy color combinations.

The Renault 5 comes in three configurations. The entry-level model has 95hp and a 0-100 acceleration of 12 seconds. The more powerful 123hp model brings that down to 9 seconds and generally offers better performance. The top-of-the-line model shaves the 0-100 down to 7.9s, which is the same as the Volkswagen ID3 S. 

Customers will also have two options for the battery. The 40kWh pack guarantees a range of about 300 km, which is enough for those who will mostly use the car in the city. The bigger 52kWh battery adds another 100km, making it a better choice for those who venture outside the city limits more often. The Renault 5 will arrive in France and other EU countries in September, with a starting price of €25.000.