New Renault 5 prototype debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Styling clearly inspired by original
• Expected release 2024
• Minimalist interior likely

A prototype of the latest Renault 5 will appear in public for the first time, making its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed’s Electric Avenue. The contemporary take on the iconic French hatchback has been reimagined as an EV, taking as its cues bold and boxy styling lines of the Seventies original.

Renault announced plans to create a new version of the classic Renault 5 hatchback at the beginning of 2021. Unlike the 1980s original, the new Renault 5 will be sold as an electric car, rivalling cars like the Honda e and MINI Electric.

Top 10 best small electric cars 2022

A confirmed price is a long way off but Renault boss Luca de Meo has promised an affordable starting point. It should undercut the cars mentioned above, and may come in at under £20,000, like the entry-level electric Fiat 500.

The prototype of the Renault 5 won’t be alone at Goodwood as it will be joined by the new Megane E-Tech EV as well as the new Limited Edition A110 from sister firm Alpine.

The styling is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Renault 5 design, with LED lighting elements and tiny overhangs. It’ll be a five-door, with the rear door handles hidden in the rear pillars. Clever touches include daytime running lights in place of the original’s fog lights and the bonnet air vent repurposed as a charging port.

12

We’re yet to see the interior of this concept but a pared-back look is likely. This would make it feel both modern and retro because the original car had much less standard equipment than any current Renault model. A large touchscreen similar to the one in the Renault Clio and Renault Captur may be fitted on higher-spec models.

What does it mean for car buyers?

This electric Renault 5 concept combines the old-school charm of the original model with a powertrain that’ll bring it right up to date. While technical details like range and performance aren’t yet known, it should offer similar statistics to its main rivals. Crucially, it should be cheaper than the similarly retro Honda e and MINI Electric, so we can see this becoming a popular model when it finally hits showrooms.

Read our guide to the cheapest electric cars on sale now.