You probably didn’t miss the presentation of the Renault 5 E-Tech at the Geneva Motor Show last week. After more than three years of anticipation, the diamond manufacturer’s neo-retro electric city car has officially unveiled its first specs, dimensions and… prices? No, not yet for the price range, but Renault does mention a base price in its press release “about 25,000 euros”.

But, as is often the case with product launches, we’re entitled to a high-end version. Regarding the presented models, from our side, even if the price list is not yet known, we count on prices of around 32,000 or even 35,000 euros. A far cry from the €25,000 mentioned by Renault, but what concessions would we have to make to drive an R5 for €25,000?

Some concessions on the technical level

The battery + motor structure is already the first element of the answer. no wonder it will be an R5 with a small 40kWh battery that guarantees a range of 300km according to the WLTP cycle. This battery will be connected to the electric motor by power 95 hp. In general, nothing scandalous, since these characteristics will be suitable for most cases of use, even if for reasons of “safety” customers will undoubtedly prefer the version equipped with a 52 kWh battery and 400 km of autonomy.
Even if the battery and engine are working, technically Renault will have to make some concessions, starting with the charging part. Bidirectional charging will take a back seat, like fast DC charging. AC will have 11 kW and that’s it. From 10 to 80% will take about 3:30.
But how does Renault plan to save money on its model by keeping the same multi-link rear axle and the same NMC batteries that come with the higher trims? Because this equipment is not sold at such prices in any segment. Actually, the manufacturer had to save on other aspectsand especially regarding equipment.

Inexpensive Renault 5 E-Tech will be less beautiful

In October next year, the Renault 5 E-Tech range will be divided into three trim levels: Evolution, Techno and Iconiq Cinq. In 2025, when the R5 E-Tech is due to hit the market from €25,000, the initial Equilibre processing should appear. And in terms of appearance, it will not be the same as the presented versions.
A bright charge indicator on the hood? done 18-inch alloy wheels? Without a series, and even if the sheet metal wheels remain the same size, you will have to do with caps. Cool colors like two-tone, decorative stickers and inserts? Also gone are the dark rear windows, headlight covers and body-colored door handles and mirrors. That starting level of R5 is suddenly going to be a little sadder.

Cleaning inside too

Those external savings won’t be enough to make the €25,000 R5 a profitable model. You will also have to clean the interior. To cut costs, say goodbye to the fabric dashboard and dual 10-inch screen, room for a smaller 7-inch screen, like the Evolution treatment we already know. Customization options will be reduced to nothing, and the beautiful OpenR Link interface with Google services will disappear in favor of an internal system with support for direct smartphone connection, which will then act as a screen.
As far as driver aids are concerned, Europe and its standards allow damage to be limited, but also keep the base price high, as €25,000 for a city car under four meters remains fundamentally expensive. The GSR II standard, mandatory in Europe for all new cars, guarantees the presence of ADAS, such as lane keeping assistance, obstacle detection when reversing or even automatic emergency braking.

As for adaptive cruise control or a rearview camera, you will have to do without them.

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