The production-spec Renault 5 electric hatchback appears to have been leaked ahead of its official reveal early next year.
The retro-styled electric hatch is due to be revealed at the 2024 Geneva motor show in February, as reported by Autocar, but it seems we already know what the little electric vehicle (EV) will look like before it hits the show floor.
Leaked images have appeared on Korean website Autospy. A user says the pictures were taken from a presentation, however their exact origins remain unclear.
While the images are quite blurry, they do reveal how similar the production model is to the concept version, which was revealed in 2021.
Since the concept was revealed however, the French marque has teased the 5 multiple times, releasing images of camouflaged prototypes.
Apart from a few details such as larger side mirrors, protruding door handles, slightly different fog light signatures and the absence of an illuminated ‘Renault’ badge on the front grille, the leaked car remains the same as the 2021 concept.
The wheels on the production-spec model also appear to be wearing ‘aero’ covers.
Through the front windshield, we can faintly see a large screen assembly that stretches from in front of the driver to the centre of the cabin, as we could see on a prototype teased in July.
Full-scale production of the Renault 5 is expected to start in 2024 and will take place at Renault’s Douai plant in northern France.
The 5 will be the first model to use the AmpR Small platform, previously referred to as the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi CMF-B EV platform, which will also underpin the electric Nissan Micra as well as the retro Renault 4 and potentially the next-generation Twingo.
The platform will share around 70 per cent of its components with the CMF-B platform that underpins the likes of the Renault Arkana and Captur, and Nissan Juke.
The 5 will be powered by an electrically excited synchronous motor named ‘ePT-100kW’ that’s said to be more powerful than a permanent magnet design and doesn’t require any rare earth metals, making it cheaper and cleaner to produce.
This new electric motor is a derivative of the more powerful ePT-160kW electric motor used in the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
Renault hasn’t revealed battery capacities for the 5, but we know the largest battery offered in the Zoe is a 52kWh unit, which has a WLTP driving range of 395km.
The company has been tapping its long history as it adapts to the electric vehicle era.
The next-generation Twingo will feature styling heavily inspired by the original, hot-selling Twingo, while a production version of last year’s 4Ever Trophy concept will see the iconic Renault 4 reborn as a small crossover.
The Renault 4 badge returns after a 30-year hiatus and a production model is due by 2025.