Renault 5 hatchback is returning with electric propulsion

Renault is going 'back to the future' as the company has revealed the concept version of its upcoming fully-electric hatchback, which takes design inspiration from the 1970s' iconic Renault 5 hatchback.

Electric propulsion may be the future, but it’s not a bad thing to mix it up with the past. That’s exactly what Renault plans to do, as the French carmaker has revealed the Renault 5 Prototype – a future EV that’s inspired by the iconic Renault 5 hatchback from the 1970s. The production version of the all-electric prototype is expected to go on sale in global markets by 2025. Not only that, Renault plans to bring in as many as 10 fully-electric vehicles in the next four years under the brand’s new ‘Renaulution’ business strategy.

Coming back to the Renault 5 Prototype, it definitely looks the part with its neat retro-modern design – something that we’ve already seen with the Honda e. The overall shape is boxy just like the old car, albeit it’s packed with modern bits and bobs – for instance, there’s futuristic full-LED headlamps, illuminated Renault logos, sleek ORVMs, and massive wheels. Even at the back, the prototype has similar proportions. Overall, the design is quite pleasant.

What’s more, it features a couple of styling elements from the old car, albeit they’ve been modernised – the asymmetrical air intake hides a charging port, the rear lights include aero flaps, and the fog lamps have been replaced by daytime running lights.

According to Gilles Vidal, Renault Design Director, 'The design of the Renault 5 Prototype is based on the R5, a cult model of our heritage. This prototype simply embodies modernity, a vehicle relevant to its time: urban, electric, attractive.'

Renault hasn’t revealed the interior of the prototype, but expect it to be minimalistic and cutting-edge. The drivetrain details haven’t been disclosed either. However, the Renault 5 EV is expected to be based on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-EV platform, which been developed exclusively for its future electric vehicles.

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