The Renault 5 Proto has been revealed, and it will be electric
The Renault 5 Proto has been revealed, and it looks nothing like any Renault model you’ve seen before. Now the Renault 5 does hold a prestigious heritage in the French brand’s history. In fact, from years 1972 to 1986, it dominated the French market and was even named the countries bestselling car. Of course, the ’70s, and ’80s are long past us, so doing something drastic to Renault 5 only made sense. The Renault 5 will be just one of 14 new models to be launched by 2025, 7 being fully electric vehicles.
Looking at the outside of the Renault 5 Proto, it’s easy to notice that its inspiration was drawn straight from the ’70s. Unlike other vehicle brands, Renault doesn’t plan to get rid of its iconic box-shaped look. It's clearly not as curvy as the current Renault Zoe EV, but it’s certainly eye-catching. In the front, one of the first things to spot is its huge square-shaped daytime running LED lights and illuminated badge. The front design is very minimalistic, and elements of vintage and a modern design are evident throughout. At the rear, there aren’t many details to brag home, it's actually quite simple. The rear lights stick to a squared shape design and the Renault nameplate is illuminated at the bottom.
Regarding the interior, not much detail has been given. But from what we can see, the big take away here will be its free-standing glass infotainment display. It appears to be quite big and futuristic, which makes us a little more excited. Illuminated rings can be seen on the front-seat headrests, as to what this means, we are not completely sure, but one can suggest it to be a form of built-in speakers.
Renault has yet to confirm the Renault 5’s electric drive system, but for now one can expect it to be an improvement from the current Renault Zoe EV. Now the Zoe EV models can drive 240 miles on a single charge and can charge from 0 to 80% in just under an hour, using a 50kWh charger.
Also worth a look: the New Renault Duster Arrives in South Africa: Pricing & Detail and the New Renault Duster: Tech, Turbo, and Tougher Than Ever.
FAQ
Q: When will the Renault 5 Proto be available in South Africa?
Renault hasn't confirmed an official South African launch date for the 5 Proto yet, but it's part of their 14 new models planned by 2025, so expect it to arrive locally sometime between 2024 and 2025.
Q: What will the Renault 5 Proto cost in South Africa?
Renault hasn't released official pricing for the 5 Proto, but considering it's positioned as a premium electric vehicle with retro styling, expect it to start around R450,000 to R550,000 when it launches in South Africa.
Q: How does the Renault 5 Proto compare to the Renault Zoe?
The 5 Proto features a more angular, retro-inspired design compared to the Zoe's curvy styling, plus it's expected to have better electric drivetrain technology and a more premium interior with that massive infotainment display.
Q: What is the range and performance of the Renault 5 Proto?
Renault hasn't revealed the exact specifications yet, but they've confirmed it will have an improved electric drive system compared to the current Zoe, which suggests better range than the Zoe's 395km and potentially more power output.
Q: Is the Renault 5 Proto worth buying over other electric cars?
If you're after something completely different in the EV space with proper retro charm and modern tech, the 5 Proto could be brilliant, but wait for the full specs and pricing before making any decisions since there are many unknowns still.
Should You Buy It?
Hold your horses there, speed racer. The Renault 5 Proto looks absolutely stunning with its retro-futuristic vibe, but we're still missing crucial details like range, power output, and most importantly, the actual price tag. Without knowing if it'll cost R450,000 or R650,000, it's impossible to give you a proper recommendation. What we can say is this: if you're bored senseless by the current crop of boring electric crossovers and want something with proper character, the 5 Proto could be your jam. But for now, keep your cheque book closed until Renault spills the beans on the full specification sheet and confirmed South African pricing, probably sometime in 2024.
