The marketing people will tell you that there is nothing to beat a bit of nostalgia when it comes to selling cars.
Look what Volkswagen did with the retro-look Beetle; BMW with the modern-day MINI classic, even Ford with the Mustang (but probably not with the electric Capri resurrection). Yes, like everything else in life, there can be flops but there are far more of the successors than the latter.
The car manufacturers have found it to be a great way of getting both young and more mature customers into the modern idiom. The mature buyer would, as you’d expect, be attracted to the link with a car they, possibly, grew up with; went to dances/discos with, had it as their first car and so on. Younger buyers would be expected to be enamoured by the mix of name/emblem on the tailgate and design, while expecting prolific technology on comfort and safety.
Renault, the subject of this week’s review, are not alone in planning many such trans-generational models in the near future but they are setting a pace. The Renault 4 E-Tech electric is ready and is under starters orders for the 252-reg period.
But taking precedence right now is its forerunner – the new 5dr supermini Renault 5 E-Tech electric that takes over from the Zoe which has been around for a long time.
So how have they fared in taking on modern expectancy while keeping the car in some way anchored to its historic roots? Overall, I think they have managed well to stay true to the essence of a Seventies icon. The car’s turbo version was outstanding. No wonder they have used it as the wellspring of design for the new car.
This new 5 looks bulkier and is styled as an urban BEV (battery electric vehicle) runaround. At under four metres long with a squat stance, wide track and 18ins wheels, dynamism is built into the styling and profile.
There are strong lines, dashing curves; a rear spoiler and roofline give it muscularity. The front lights package is eye-catching too, more so than the previous one.
There isn’t much there that harks half way to the 70s in the cabin which reflects current attire and technology.
Strangely for a small car, it was noticeably plush with excellent seating.
They really fired it up its visibility with strong colours and soft, smoothing upholstery. My test car was draped in mad yellow while inside a padded dashboard faced the front-seat passenger and lots of similar soft spots around the cabin. I would call it a vibrant environment in which to travel. I can see those younger drivers loving this.
Modernity permeates. There is a digital dashboard right in front of the driver (7.0ins – 10.1ins depending on model) from which you can choose five views. And then, more centrally, there was an excellent 10ins touchscreen which had exceptional clear graphics. Powered by Renault’s ‘OpenR Link’ system with Google built in, it was easy on the eye – as well as to use.
However, it is a bit like out of the frying pan into the fire with one aspect of the infotainment system. Let it be said that they have kept faith with buyers by providing physical switches for elements such as the air conditioning rather than having to fooster around for an icon on the screen as can be the case with some automakers who went too far with their total immersion of everything behind the big screen.
But, on the other hand, they have far too many buttons squashed in a slot to the right of the steering wheel. You really need to know what you are looking for when poking your fingers in there. There are individual stalks for drive, sound system and wipers. It’s a bit over-crowded. I also felt that the stalks and switches looked old-fashioned and not altogether in tune with such a clever and modern car that is bright and comfortable with plenty of room for the driver and front passenger.
But I have to say the rear-seat room is really tight. I know this is a small car and isn’t intended to be ferrying large families around. But I still think it is a pity they couldn’t find a way to make a tad more room back there. It is quite cramped so you’ll just have to put up with it, I suppose.
Incidentally, those offending rear seats split/fold 60:40 so you can carry longer items through the apertures; the boot is average at 326 litres but has a handy underfloor slot for the charging cables.
My 52kWh version (150hp) could certainly move, though there was a touch of front-wheel spin when I jabbed down the right foot. It comes in two trims: techno, priced from €30,995, and the flagship iconic, starting at €32,995.
It was lively and engaging on poor roads with a taut, vibrant feedback through the sporty chassis and steering wheel. With 150bhp on tap, there was certainly time to enjoy not alone the latest ‘5’ but also to recall some memories of a bygone era in which another ‘5’ had the power and poise to make it a great little driver.
There 40kWh battery with 120bhp electric motor can drive a claimed 310kms range between charges, while the 52kWh with the 150bhp electric motor can, they claim, get you to 410kms.
There are three trim levels: evolution, techno, and iconic. Prices start from €25,995 for evolution, €27,995 for techno, and €29,995 for the top-spec iconic.
Standard spec incudes automatic climate control, Arkamys speaker system, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, automatic LED lights. There is a 7ins digital driver display, and a 10.1ins OpenR Link multimedia system, rear parking sensors, and electric parking brake all on evolution trim. The techno adds diamond cut alloys, Google Built-in, EV route planning, rearview camera, and heated door mirrors. Range-topping iconic trim comes hands-free parking, heated seats and an advanced driver assistance system
Overall, Renault has managed to conjure a classy look that proclaims Renault 5 E-Tech 2025 has emerged from the shadows as an electric car in its own right.
