FIRST LOOK: New Renault 5! £25k Retro EV Hatch
It’s finally here! In simplest terms, the new 5 is Renault’s B-segment electric replacement for the Zoe. But actually, it’s much more than that - it’s the beginning of Renault lighting the retro EV afterburners with e-incarnations of the 4 and Twingo coming down the pipe. The 5 has barely changed from the 2021 concept that stole our hearts with its retro influences - with Renault claiming the production car is 95 per cent faithful to the original.
Three power outputs are available, all single motor and front-wheel drive: 148bhp (181lb ft of torque, 0-62mph in under 8.0secs, top speed 93mph), 118bhp or 94bhp… although the latter probably won’t be offered in the UK. You’ll have the pick of two battery sizes - 52kWh for a range of around 249 miles and 40kWh for a range of circa 186 miles. Max DC charging speed is 100kW, or 30mins from 15 to 80 per cent.
Cost? Whilst we don’t have exact figures yet, Renault has said it’ll start ‘from £25k’ but really, how many cars come with an optional baguette holder?
Join TG’s Jack Rix for a proper deep dive into the new 5, and a step back in time to his childhood…
Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: bit.ly/SubscribeToTopGear
WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:
First Looks: bit.ly/TGFirstLooks
First Drives: bit.ly/TGFirstDrives
American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm: bit.ly/TGAmericanTuned
LISTEN to the Top Gear Magazine Podcast: topgear.podlink.to/Podcast
Sign up for our newsletter: www.topgear.com/newsletter-si...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:51 The headlines
03:33 The original Renault 5
06:47 Walkaround
11:39 Interior
14:51 Conclusion
MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:
Welcome to the official home of Top Gear on KZhead. Here you'll find all the best clips from your favourite episodes, whether that’s Ken Block drifting London in the Hoonicorn, Chris Harris in the latest Porsche 911 GT3 or classic Top Gear clips from Clarkson, Hammond and May. You'll also find the latest performance car reviews from the TopGear.com crew, our brand new series American Tuned with Rob Dahm and the fastest power laps from our in house performance benchmark: The Stig.
This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios.
Service & Feedback www.bbcstudios.com/contact/co...
Would you get the optional baguette holder?
Of course!!!!!!!
UK version will have a pie shelf
Oui! 🥖
+ the croissant holder on the dash ...🥐🥐🥐🥖🥖🥖
the French let their girlfriends to hold their baguettes:) It's the second EV which I find good looking, first one was the Honda e for me too. the car is a bit too overstiled though. Not sure why they couldn't just go for the simple retro design underneath all those plastic bits and logos. In 10 years it would still look fresh but then all the french cars are designed like this. It s like trying a bit too hard. Anyway if prices are good this could be a success while the Honda e failed given the high price and low autonomy.
Cars are an emotional thing for many people, even if it is a rational purchase. An iconic people's car of old, reinvented for modern times as an EV, bridges generations. If other manufacturers do more of this, it will definitely make it easier for older buyers, especially enthusiasts, to make the switch. It helps that the new car has decent range and charging, good weight, at a (potentially) very good price. Hats off to Renault for sure.
We don’t need EV’s as long as they can’t drive atleast 600-700km on single charge in any price category, size etc. just as ICE cars… and that is just as in -30C or +30C without dropping half of range… Battery won’t loose its capacity (it is reported that in 5-8 years it can loose 50-60% of the capacity) and the battery pack replacement is astronomical (15k€ in Europe for Tesla, 5000€ for Toyota Prius Hybrid, but atleast it has petrol engine and you can continue driving it)…The same goes for charging when they will charge in 15min or less to full charge… and maybe then people will consider EV’s… it isn’t the looks or something, it is those problems I stated why people don’t buy the EV’s as much… Volvo reported that making EV’s is worse than making ICE cars when it comes CO2. Toyota reported that in 2023 their sales of EV’s wasn’t even 1% worldwide… Also in my opinion the whole battery industry should change as the Lithium batteries is very old technology, lithium is toxic, hard to get etc. We need to invent battery that could last longer than Lithium one and maybe then the EV’s would be worth considering. In my opinion hybrid, hydrogen cars as the future for next 30 years, not EV’s….
@@webagent90 Amen. Energy density of batteries has to increase massively to cut weight. Batteries up to 600 Wh/Kg. (at optimal temperature) Diesel and patrol up to 12.000 Wh/Kg.
@@webagent90 If you read that Volvo claim you made beyond the headline, you can see that that's only in production, and CO2 emissions are way less over time. About Toyota; they made a terrible EV nobody wants. Of course it's not going to sell. Toyota is also actively lobbying against EV's. It's in their interest to block progress on electric vehicles.
Those specs are kind of bad
@@webagent90 Oh of course, as much as EVs have developed over the past 10 years, they’re far from perfect and there’s a long way to go before EV can really be as environmentally friendly as they can be. I also agree that manufacturers shouldn’t discount hybrids, because they are a good middle ground for now. I’m not sure about hydrogen because extraction requires so much energy, you might as well use that electricity to power an EV. I personally EVs have their place, as short-range commuting tools, the Renault 5 looks to do that very well while looking very cool.
I’m in West Virginia, USA. I grew up with three R5’s in a row. My Dad scared the piss out of my friends utilizing French centrifugal force to plant the outside wheels in turns. Hahaha Oh, and the flop top sunroof was spectacular. My first car was my brother’s 18i. 87 hp and a 4 speed manual. What else could anyone want. I loved it. Come back to the States Renault.
Take my money Renault, this is what a modern, efficient car should be!
Should be a good financial investment ? lol.
@@stevezodiac491 since when were mainstream cars a good financial investment??
kzhead.info/sun/hMOwqc-MhJ2koIE/bejne.htmlsi=RSIaZnrDwXuduj0o
Honestly that's the first electric car that appeals to me and yes its likely the nostalgia as a 50 year old having owned and loved the quirks of many mk2's in the 80's and 90's. I applaud where Renault is going with this one and look forward to seeing one at the dealership.
Honestly, as a 27 year-old this car is also the only car that gets me going. Although I absolutely love the original 5, I don't have the nostalgia. Even then, this car along with Honda E are incredibly desirable and I want to own one. I'm ready to put down my mk4 Clio on the line for one.
Looks really fun. Love the colours. Love the design. Love that it is not a giant SUV.
One of best looking EV car
It's a legit masterpiece design wise & there's going to be a lot of variations (+ upgrades overtime). For us city Europeans we don't need more range. Who drives more than 800 kms in one day? Probably only 50% of the drivers, once a year for summer vacation. So gimme cheap & basic, that's good enough.
Looking forward to alpine’s version!
This has a completely new platform which is amazing,drive unit weighs only 95 kg+10 kg for the charger which is near of an average 1 liter 3 cylinder with dry transmission,battery pack has much advanced packaging and thermal management for lighter weight and much higher energy density,one of the best evs so far along side with 2025 porsche taycan line up,evs will be much more amazing in near future with new generation of batteries arrive with energy density of 400 to 450 wh/kg with semi solid gel electrolyte and silicon anodes which will lead to battery packs with half the weight but with same capacities,i think this renault 5 will be 2024-2025 top seller in europe for daily driver, what every consumer needs is a small light weight hatchback with range of around 250 miles or 400 km combined(city range is about 480 km or 300 miles) which this renault 5 has it all
With a big torch on it? EVs are toss
@@whiteyvegasthen why are u here?😂
@Ur_so_wrong he is here to educate obviously.
Roland Garros et Baccarat 😍🤩
As a child of 5GT Turbo owner, I'm all about this. I can't wait to see the Alpine A290_B
Love it. Styling is bang on both inside and out. Love the dash, shelf (not sure what else to call it) as that harks straight back to the Mk 2 R5. Brilliant. I've not wanted an EV until now.
its gorgeous !!
"from around 25k" meaning when you spec one in a web browser you spend all night trying to get it below 28k
Tow bar is good news. More small cars need bike rack capacity
My first car was an R5, and I became completely insane about these little fellas. Started with a very humble R5 1.3L basic TL and evolved to a 1.4L TX Mirage back in México where I am from. This new electric R5e gave me the goosebumps at how sane, affordable and fully wholesome sensible vehicles with a soul can re-spark the long lost forgotten desire to own a practical, everyday economy car that can reconnect you with your everyday needs without resorting to a scooter, a bicycle or a monstrous SUV. Simple and cute is my motto, and hats off to Renault for delivering back my dream car! Now... If I only could buy it here in California... hmmmm
Too bad the US doesn't get any of these. I think for city dwellers here in the states, this could be a great contender for not only any other car but especially for a model 3 being cheaper, smaller and 250 miles of range is great, not to mention looks fantastic.
Not sure Américans would buy such a small car though
I'm in the USA and I would seriously consider buying this car. We need more small, fun to drive, and relatively affordable cars here. Not everyone wants a SUV or a Crossover.
Did that Renault assistant immediately remind anyone else of the Paperclip assistant that used to be a part of Microsoft Word back in the day?
As a previous owner of the R5GT which I absolutely loved to pieces, I really hope they do a 'hot' version to nod back to what they used to do
Greetings from Poland, first amazing electric car, I love 5
One of the best looking electric cars. Great job Renault 👏
They have really been on point the latest years. The new megane looks spectacular. The Scenic just won car of the year and now this. I have a megane.. it is just a brilliant car :)
Looks great. As excited as I was when my Auntie bought one of the first Renault 5s to come into the UK. I could not believe how well it was designed..... a smallcar with an estate back! She gave me the brochure and I could not stop looking at it. It made every small cat look so old fashioned overnight.
Love your sense of humour Jack... and the super slick manner in which this video has been producer. Well done Renault and well done Top Gear. You've aced it!
Make that produced!
Waiting for the day Renault make a performance EV version of the mid engined Clio V6…wide body, flared arches, low stance, and 2 seats 😮 would be absolutely insane!!! Renault, take note!
with a synthetic sound of V6 ! I have heard that an electric brand in China has designed an EV with a fuel V8 / V6 sound + the same gearbox jerks if wanted.
That's the Alpine A290 which is the sports version of this, looks really cool.
As Madmandonna says, you’re talking about the Alpine A290, which will be the sport version of the new Renault 5. It will be more or less the same car but with a bigger engine. About 220 hp I think.
We are waiting on a Wide arched version with a 250-300hp on the rear axle 😅 and a 4,5-5sec 0-62 time .
Du coup, SVP Renault, vendez nous cela au Canada next week-end!
The yellow pops will make bumblebee shy 😂
it should attract plenty of windscreen insect splatter.
In the USA, we didn't get any cool Renaults. We got the "Le Car" and the Alliance. Road turds, both... I really like this Renault 5. Best question is: Will they enter the US market?
I really need to emphasize this: RENAULT NAILED IT!!! Battery with proper temperature management, V2L (and V2G) are INDISPENSABLE, independent suspension, heat pump as standard, acoustic isolation, gearshift in the steering (very practical), good seats and general comfort, ergonomy, ARM REST almost forgot!!! Also good engine power! This car is checking the boxes it seems, I'm amazed 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 Will it have an option for Rear Wheel Drive? That would be the cherry on top!
It's a stunner - some very clever design, making the most of this car's heritage. All they need to do now is make a petrol version........
Renault have brought back Clippy... Brilliant.
But a ClippyGPT version 😊
I owned 2 Renault 5s and loved them more than another car since. They had personality and were unique little work horses which never let me down. I can see little spin offs from those in this new car and I love it. This would be on my shopping list for a small EV without question. 👍
I bought a R5 GTE in 2001 when I started University for 1800 bucks and it was the most fun car I've ever driven!
One of the coolest new cars lately! I wish it would have a petrol engine and it would be probably the best small car out there! I would buy it straight away!
Brilliant clip - brilliant car. My mum had a bright orange Mk. 1 - I had two Mk. 2's when it was my time ;-) a silver metallic TS some sort of special edition (was it Newman or something? Second hand, of course) and an azure blue metallic GTS (which I was very proud of). Also second hand - bought of my uncle ..... My other uncle had the coolest of them all at that time Mk 1 Alpine .... 🤣🤣🤣
It's going to be a big seller lovely design
Crazy there not bringing the 99bhp here, that’s a bad move Renault think of all the new drivers you could lure in with the right pcp deals as people want new cars now compared to years ago due to good financing deals we get now! Car companies don’t want you buying cars anymore they want you renting them now because they have a guaranteed cash inflow every 3-5years due to you handing it back and getting a new model 😉
I've never been a Renault fan but I have to say that this is cool and ticks a lot of boxes. But then again, I'm 71 years old so hardly representative of the general population.
I think style is style, so your take is right 👍
I owned a R5 GTL (maroon with black vinyl roof), five door in the 80's. Powered by the 1108cc engine, it was moderately reliable, the driving experience and character made up for some of the shortfalls. It would roll like a ship at sea, flipside being a very supple ride. Renault could easily fit an economical 1 litre engine like available with the Clio in this stunning remake. It would lower the price further, and give customers the choice of full EV or economical ICE option. Jeep back peddled and the Avenger is now offered with a petrol alternative, due to feedback and customer demand.
My parents had a -77 Renault 5 when I was a kid in the 90's, I can still remember not being able to press the button door handles to open the door, and the smell of petrol in the car
"and then there´s everyone else under the age of 35 thinking ..." - I am 32 now. And I knew the original R5 well, my parents owned one. I feel slightly offended. ;-)
En mi opinión, si no se pasan con el precio será un superventas. Han interpretado muy bien el primer R5 con unas buenas proporciones enfatizando el toque deportivo con pasos de rueda ensanchados. Y después juegan con esa nostálgica del pasado.....por lo que comvierte en un producto pasional y racional.....esa es la clave. Ánimo al resto de marcas a sacar en versiones eléctricas un Lancia Delta Integrale, un Astra Gsi 16V, Golf gti 2, Ford cosword.....hasta incluso el primer bmw m3. El ejemplo es claro con el fiat 500 y el mini....que después de años y evoluciones se continúan vendiendo como churros. Hay mucho cliente huérfano de coches de los años 80 y 90 que no se siente identificado con las lineas actuales. Aquí lo dejo.....por si algún fabricante de coches empieza a tomar nota
PEUGEOT 205 GTI
We need RENAULT 5 GT TURBO 🔥💪💪💪💪
That Renault assistant looks like a remake of the paper clip assistant on MS Office.
I hope we see more of these on UK roads, rather than those hideous MGs 🤢🤢🤢
as a 36 year old I am absolutely in love with it
Never had any feelings towrads the old 5, but I really like the design of this one.
Finally friendly looking car👍
True. Especially in green it looks like a frog
@@julienbee3467 right
They should make petrol hot hatch too just like GR yaris. And shove 300hp in it.
Clio with 1.8Tce and manual transmission would be fire 🔥
You can't put a nokia 3310 system in an 2024 iphone
It's too bad that we'll never see this in the US.. It's perfect for a large percentage of the driving we do. Of course, we'd hate it and not buy any, but that's because we're kinda dumb. We can't help it. It's what we do.
I called my first car Bertha named after the kids show, “She was a lovely machine and worked like a dream” so maybe you named your 5 for the same reasons. Been interested in this since the prototype dropped as love the looks and styling but that cabin looks cramped up front.
Looks great
Really pleased it’s here, but much prefer the concept headlights and wish the detailing was a bit more minimalist. Roll on the Alpine!
This is really smart. I have a theory…. Room in the back of this is limited but I think the forthcoming Renault 4 will have the same dash but will be much more of a roomy crossover. Could be a very clever move from Renault. Two different flavours that call upon the heritage of the 5 and 4.
Looking so beautiful
I don't even think you need to talk about 0-60 when talking about this car! Just groove!
Not sure why manufactures fail to integrate the instrument display inthe dash. These bolt on's are looking shady
Audi did it on the A and Q series and it's created the best looking interior I've seen a while. Or better still like the R8 and just give the driver the screen in the instruments.
In this case it's trying to recreate the vibe of the Mk.1 R5 dash. Canting the main touch screen toward the driver and having (hopefully, functional) voice control is well considered design
@@xx-----------xx873 I have that stupid tack-on-tablet thing in my S5 an I hate it. In the A6 they've integrated it nicely. And as you've said, no nead for it in the first place, since there's the virtual cockpit anyway (TT does it like the R8 as well).
This is Located more in your road view
@@vamshikrishnareddy8650 What if the just moved it forward to the windscreen to be in your eyeline and was integrated... or maybe a HUD?
I have to admit, I always watch the late break show first 😊 then all the others 👍
Vive la France 🇨🇵
Only real sence I can speak is it's good to see a car making it in a more concept form into production and some great colours available as allot of other reviewers have already made a better point of. Even Johnny from the late break show got that point across better. Cool colours.
My GF has the Zoe 2019 model 52kWh battery. Will the R5 be able to run the heater when charging? Will the R5 have pre warming/cooling of battery before planned charging? Will the R5 heater be enough for Swedish winters?
Renault, allow for colour detail around windowsill to be removed by key? Spray paint to whatever colour. ?
thanks for physical buttons !!
So when will Peugeot follow suit with a retro styled 205?
The 206, 207 then 208.
Right? It's a no brainer Stellantis! Let's have the 2 rowdy sisters reunited.
I’m love the proportions. The graphics are too angular and sharp in my opinion.
So faithful, even the door closing sound is like the original!! 10:20 if anyone wants to rewatch lol
Alpine version is going to be my next voiture. Zut alors, LOVE it so far...
I think I have fallen in love with this outstanding vehicle.
Will there be a right hand drive available in Australia? Will there be any dealer support? Will there be readily available spare parts? Will there be mechanics who know how to fix them? What is the warranty on the battery? What is the likely depreciation rate? So many questions, so few answers .........
The foglamps remind me of the maximize icon on the KZhead player. Isn't it?😂
ok can't wait for Alpine 290
Look so nice and in right size.
Seems somewhat inline with the 500e. I like it, and appreciate more manufacturers are trying to keep the smaller vehicle segment alive even through the transition to EVs.
Brother Evs are dead. Bubble burst in august. Mb even announced days ago they are done. Please keep up.
@@ThorOdinson-zc2kq dead how? What did MB announce exactly?
@@ALMX5DP this comes amid Gm Stellantis Ford Vag Toyota Honda All stating Evs are not the way. Lithium world supplies finite, unstable and that insurance companies double the rates. The big three in America retooled back to ice already and mb joins in
@@ThorOdinson-zc2kq please provide specifics on what is being said or done.
LOVE IT, great work from Renault :)
Great video!!!
See this is the kind of thing I want and never get in the US
The first time since the Abarth 124 Spider I really want a car! Thx, Renault!
Waiting for OG Twingo EV 😎
Love this car upon first sight, I want this in yellow when it's at a cheaper used price 💛
❤ Renault 5 E-Tech ❤
Great car during the eighties and a great success now again. Waiting for the gt turbo.....
I refuse to believe that the R5 would be an unknown to any European petrol head worth their salt and who's under 35. I mean... it's not a 2CV WRT its "French-ness", but it's not far off. Since I am *not* under 35 I can't judge its visual impact on someone who's truly unfamiliar with the OG R5, but I do think it's a nice design - even if you don't know that it's a retro-job. Only initial criticism I have is that it looks like it sits a bit too high above the road, almost as if they were trying to inject it with some sort of SUV/CUV DNA for some reason. All that said: This is precisely what is needed on the EV-market, IMO. A small-ish, half-way affordable car with a decent range and an exterior design that's a lot more interesting to me than any Tesla or VW ID-model (except the Buzz, perhaps). Good job bringing up the Honda e, because that seems to be what Renault were going for with the new 5 - only that the French car seems much more reasonably priced. Next up, hopefully, is a successor to the Citroen e-Mehari.
this thing is beyond cool! Take a bow, Renault!
Pretty, but I’ll wait for the bonkers wide-body RWD (and please Renault add a ludicrous speed button in that case)
They're doing the Alpine A290 which is the sports version. Not RWD though, sticking with the RWD, but according to early reviews it's a fun little hot hatch EV.
Looks great to me and i do love a baguette!
Finally an EV in the 20s! Thank u Renault
I need this shit, waiting the Alpine
Look interesting and in right size.
Really like this car, but I’m 6’4”, so I’ve got no chance! Especially as the smallest in my family is 5’9”, I think we’re going to need a bigger boat (car)😂
What a happy looking face, not innocent but cheerful! Love the yellow, wish we had yellow cars in the US. Maybe I might live in France one day lol IDK, never say never because life takes so much unexpected twists and turns!
Personally I think the Pop Green looks even better.
@@BuildersM8 totally agree!
I hope there will be atleast some crazy car guy that will put a 1.6L petrol engine into it
Good lord. Jack invites us to "have a proper look" and I'm then bombarded by flickering and spinning transitions rather than being able to "have a proper look."
Mount the battery in the middle and put the motor on the back wheels please
I'd buy it today!!
Mine (850cc TL with fabric sunroof + dash mounted gearchange) was called 'Rusty' - and it did so, thanks to the appalling quality of steel the Regie Renault used at the time. I absolutely loved it until it fell apart. This is nice, but far too sophisticated. The AI 'paperclip' icon would send me bananas. Probably to an an Englishman, it would shrug its shoulders and go 'Pfft'
Think about how funny this would be to watch if Clarkson reviewed the car😢
R5 looks wicked. But now they need to do the same with the 4L
*THIS* is what the EV makers should have aimed for in the first place. Finally, we have an actually practical EV for far more drivers. It will be interesting to see what Honda has up their sleeve when the replacement for the current GR/GS generation model (which is not sold in the USA) is unveiled probably within the next 12-24 months. If the new Fit is an EV that goes this route with a range of about 240-250 miles and the ability to charge from a SAE J3400 or IEC 62196 Type 2 connector for DC charging from 10 to 80% in under 12 minutes, they have a huge winner right there.
Price x range does not work yet, but I guess in 5 years it would. Nice design.
We need 5 turbo version like good old classsic
What’s the range?