One of many most enjoyable automobiles of the previous few years hasn’t had big turbos, neck-straining acceleration figures, or a cabin strewn with simulated stars. It’s a small French hatchback that harks again to a automobile from the Seventies.
Renault’s upcoming 5 EV was first conceptualized in 2021, and the corporate’s CEO, Luca de Meo, cherished it a lot he determined that Renault would construct a manufacturing mannequin by 2024.
For these not conversant in Renault, or the unique Renault 5, the story is fairly easy. Renault has specialised in reasonably priced, well designed, fun-to-drive automobiles largely for the French market (it’s a French firm in any case). Within the twentieth century, it had a string of in style automobiles that acquired the lots motoring: the agricultural Renault 4, the stylish Clio, the family-sized Megané, the Espace (which mainly invented the “folks provider” section), and, after all, the Renault 5.
The dinky 5 got here with engines to go well with all budgets—the R5 Turbo was a moderately spicy proposition—and ensured simple, spacious journey in a small bundle. It’s a automobile that’s undoubtedly been romanticized over time, so the prospect of a brand new electrical model precipitated tongues to wag and hopes to rise.
The manufacturing automobile is because of seem within the second half of 2024, however Renault was feeling assured sufficient to let WIRED behind the wheel of an early prototype, and the corporate hosted a number of media retailers, together with WIRED, in Sweden for a glance. Sadly, the prototype we’re driving on the ice doesn’t seem to look remotely just like the idea that wowed crowds three years in the past. As an alternative, for now not less than, it’s acquired the physique of Renault’s staple hatch, the Clio. We’re assured, nevertheless, that the ultimate design will resemble the 2021 idea.
However there are already loads of new options to gawk at. Below the door line is an enormous slab of steel, which is the brand new, decrease platform. Nestled within the nostril is a flap that hides its cost port. The rear wheel sits ahead within the arch, highlighting the 5’s shorter wheelbase. The 5 additionally has a wider observe (each entrance and rear) than the Clio, so plastic wheel arch extensions have been bolted to the facet. The inside is a mass of huge crimson buttons to cease the automobile’s numerous features in an emergency.
{Photograph}: Renault Group
