What's all this about?

This is our first look at the production-ready Renault 5 E-Tech electric, some three years after the French company signalled its intention to resurrect the nameplate from its past in the form of the so-called “Prototype”. Remarkably, the showroom car is 95 per cent true to the concept, retaining the unmistakable influence of the original R5 from the 1970s while adding a layer of distinctly modern finishing.

Well that looks cool...

It does a bit. Where the first Renault 5 had a bonnet vent, for example, the new one has a battery charge indicator in the shape of a large “5”. The new car’s high-tech LED headlights, meanwhile, look quite similar to those of the ‘happy’ looking original and there’s even a feature line joining the two door mirrors via the rear spoiler that calls to mind the distinctive rain gulley of the 1970s. Buyers can specify that in red, black or gold. Indeed, there’s lots of personalisation available and a focus on bold colours outside and in.

Is the interior as stylish?

It certainly is, and even the basic models should be impressive. The front seats are designed to look like those from the madcap, mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo - though featuring recycled materials - and there’s even a padded, stitched design to the section of the dashboard in front of the passenger and a textured headlining above. Bringing the cabin back up to date is a curved display in front of the driver encompassing digital instrumentation and a 10-inch touchscreen. That even gets a cheesy new avatar called “Reno”.

Fromage. Is the R5 more serious underneath?

Indeed it is. This is the first car built on Renault’s new AmpR electric-car platform, with the battery under the floor and a sophisticated multi-link rear axle. Designed from the ground up to be an EV, the R5 is no heavier than 1,456kg.

Buyers can choose from 40kWh and 52kWh battery packs for an official range in the region of 186 miles and 250 miles respectively. Both come with 11kW AC-charging, though the larger battery can take a charge at up to 100kW on a DC connection - that’s limited to 80kW for the smaller unit. We don’t know which will be offered to UK buyers yet. Same story with the electric motors, as there are three different ratings available, resulting in peak power outputs of 95hp, 120hp or 150hp. The most powerful allows the front-drive R5 to hit 62mph from rest in 7.9 seconds and is backed up by 245Nm of torque.

Decent. How much are we talking?

Your guess is as good as ours, I’m afraid, as UK pricing has yet to be confirmed. We’re optimistic that the entry-level version will come in at under £30,000. Regardless, initial demand is expected to be strong, so Renault UK has set up a pre-order system allowing those that want to get their order in quicker to purchase the “R-Pass” - for £150. First deliveries will be in early 2025 regardless.