What the car is and where it came from
A B-segment battery electric hatchback produced by Renault since 2024. Styled under Gilles Vidal. Inspired by the original Renault 5. Previewed by a concept in January 2021. Unveiled in production form at Geneva in February 2024.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is a front-motor, front-wheel drive B-segment battery electric hatchback. It uses the CMF-B EV (AmpR Small) platform. Charging is via a port on the bonnet, behind a left-hand door that echoes the original R5’s air intake. DC fast charging is available up to 130 kW.
What it gets right
It restates the Renault 5’s visual language without pastiche: compact proportions, upright stance, and a bonnet-mounted charge port that functions as both homage and interface. It anchors EV production in Douai—a deliberate industrial statement.
What it does not
It does not offer all-wheel drive. It does not place the charging port at the flank or rear. It does not exceed 110 kW motor output or 52 kWh battery capacity. It does not use a skateboard chassis layout distinct from CMF-B EV.
What it changed
It moved Renault’s small-electric production from global platforms to a dedicated northern French manufacturing cluster—Douai for assembly, Ruitz for components, Cléon for motors.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for buyers who value French industrial continuity, compact urban usability, and design legibility over spec-sheet dominance. It is not for buyers seeking long-range touring capability, high-power acceleration, or platform flexibility beyond front-wheel drive.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you need an urban electric hatchback that prioritises recognisable form and local assembly over range or performance extremes. No—if you require more than 400 km of WLTP range, rear-wheel drive dynamics, or a charging port in a conventional location.
