Many companies base their marketing messages on nostalgia. Let's take the Fiat 500, which has been produced for many years, and this is not the only example. Renault also has iconic models in its history, so why not use them to advertise a modern car? Even for electricity. This idea was born among the managers of the French concern, and its result is the Renault 5 E-Tech. And while I'm usually quite skeptical about “electrics”, I really like this one, which was only confirmed by my week's driving.
Of course, Renault is only loosely based on the famous “5” from the 1970s. The references can be seen in the body line and in individual details. This was done to create a contemporary interpretation of a car from years ago, enriching it, of course, with modern accents. We have LED headlights and LED rear lamps, and there are also eye-catching “LEDs” for daytime driving, placed in the lower part of the bumper. I really like the whole thing, especially the eye-catching yellow color. It's hard to ignore the modern “five”.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
There are definitely fewer references to history inside. The cockpit is as modern as it gets, with a 10-inch infotainment screen in front of the driver and another that serves as the instrument cluster. The only references to the old style are the square air vents and the characteristic bulge on the right side, in front of the passenger.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
The electronics in the Renault work perfectly. The multimedia system is designed very well and is based on Google's car solutions. As standard, we have sensible and up-to-date navigation. You can also use your phone and your own Google maps – after connecting your smartphone via the Android Auto interface. No problem with that. A big plus is also the physical buttons for controlling basic air conditioning functions. This means you don't have to take your eyes off the road when changing settings.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5 E-Tech – a comfortable “townie”
The next issue is the seats. Even though we are dealing with a small car, they are spacious enough and there is enough space. Seat adjustment is also sufficient. Almost everyone will find a good driving position. Of course, it's a bit worse at the back. When assessing the space for people who will travel there, I would use the word “acceptable”. Tall people will definitely feel the lack of headroom, but that's no wonder – it's not a family car for long journeys.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
This is also evidenced by the trunk with a volume of 326 liters. It's not enough for family packs, especially since the space is also taken up by charging cables. In addition, the shape and depth of the trunk may make it difficult to optimally place large suitcases in it. However, there is enough for shopping bags.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
The electric drive also affects the comfort of driving in the city. The Renault 5 in the tested version offers a drive with a power of 150 HP, which is quite large. 245 NM of torque will also be useful – thanks to it, the car accelerates immediately after pressing the gas pedal and does it smoothly. It accelerates with equal verve while driving, at higher speeds. It is thanks to the characteristics of the electric drive that electric cars can be driven so well in the city.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5 E-Tech – the perfect drive for the city
However, the most important thing in an electric car is how many kilometers you can drive after charging the battery and how quickly you can replenish the energy.ć. In the tested “5” I had batteries with a capacity of 52 kWh, and the manufacturer claims that you can count on a range of 410 km. This is not a real number.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
In practice, during test drives I achieved less than 15 kWh/100 km, which will allow me to travel just over 300 km after fully charging the battery. In the city you can count on a result of 12-14 kWh/100 km, but on expressways the appetite for electricity will increase up to 19 kWh/100 km. So let's not count on a range of 400 km on the route, but rather 250 km. Unless we follow the truck, as electric car drivers sometimes do.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
One more thing: the Renault 5 in the tested variant can accept electricity with a power of 100 kW, so the recharging ranges from 10 to 80 percent. will last less than 30 minutes. Tbut definitely more than filling up with 40 liters of fuel. However, fast chargers are quite expensive. In short, it is better to drive the “five” around the city and charge it at home or in the office. All in all, the electric Renault will also work well in the provinces, for example to go to a nearby town for shopping. This is a rarely mentioned role that “electrics” can play outside large cities.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5 – is it worth buying?
Of course, yes, as long as someone wants to have an electric city car and appreciates cars with impressive styling. The Renault looks great, drives very well, has a well-designed interior and a powerful drive. Its range is also completely sufficient if we want to move around the city or over short distances. This is one of the most interesting electric “little guys” currently available for sale.
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Renault 5, technical data:
Electric motor, 150 HP, 245 Nm. Automatic gearbox, 1-speed. Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 7.9 s. Maximum speed – 150 km/h. Range: 410 km (WLTP). Price: from PLN 133,900.
The car was loaned by the brand's importer and returned after the test
