We have been following the progress of the new Renault 5 for quite some time, and the long awaited reveal of the R5 will be live streamed tomorrow from the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show.

Some pictures of a bright yellow version of the “production” Renault 5 have been “leaked” to the press. Here is a sneak preview:

And from the reverse angle:

Regular readers will no doubt be aware that our interest lies more in the internal electronics of the R5 than in its external appearance. Whilst we await further small print on the car’s bi-directional V2L, V2H, V2B and/or V2G capabilities from Geneva, here is a fanfare for the R5 shamelessly plagiarised from the launch of an earlier incarnation of such electronics in a much modified Renault Zoe in 2019:

A fanfare for the common (wo)man’s bi-directional electric vehicle?

Here is the recording of the Renault 5 livestream from Geneva:

My initial tech takeaways are:

• 40 kWh and 52 kWh battery options
• 100 kW DC charging
• 11 kW bi-directional AC (dis)charging
• No permanent magnets and hence rare earths in the motor

The accompanying press release adds that:

• The first to use a new AmpR Small chassis optimised for small EVs
• Under four metres (3.92m) in length and a targeted weight below 1500kg
• Two powertrains (90 kW/120hp, and 110 kW/150hp) available
• Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be the first vehicle in the range with V2G and V2L functionality
• First cars planned to arrive in the UK in Q1 2025, with full UK line-up, specifications and pricing to be announced in due course

Looking at the exterior of the Renault 5 E-Tech:

Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be available from launch in five body colours, two of which are absolutely iconic: Pop Yellow and Pop Green.

They are directly inspired by two emblematic shades that were present in the 1970s catalogue and that are forever associated with the Renault 5.

An intense sparkle-effect adds a high-tech note to the pop art look. The effect is only visible when you look closely at the paintwork in the light. From a distance, the paintwork looks solid.

Although Renault 5 E-Tech electric is just 3.92m long, positioned between Clio II and Clio III, it rivals Clio V for interior space, thanks to its AmpR Small platform and 2.54m wheelbase. For interior width in particular, it provides 1.38m at the front and 1.36m at the rear with the three-seater bench.

The battery is placed under the floor to provide generous boot capacity of 326 litres (277 dm3 VDA). This places the car at the top end of the electric city car segment, and even ahead of several bigger traditional ICE-powered city cars. Easy to access with its high floor, the boot can also be divided using the 60-40 split/fold three-seater rear bench.

A further 19 litres of storage capacity is provided by various compartments around the cabin. This space can be configured and customised using 3D-printed accessories, including a tongue-in-cheek baguette holder.

The press release then reveals the really interesting stuff. In my humble opinion!

Renault 5 E-Tech electric will be the first in a long series of cars to be fitted with the new 11 kW AC bidirectional charger featuring V2L (vehicle-to-load) for connecting a device to the vehicle battery and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) for feeding electricity back into the grid and saving on home charging.

This 11 kW AC bidirectional charger will be operational on both the 110 kW and 90 kW versions. The 11 kW charger fitted on all versions makes Renault 5 E-Tech electric even more versatile, ready to take to the road in any UK city.

With an 11 kW AC charging point, the 52kWh battery will take 4hrs 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 100%. The 40kWh battery will take an hour less.

For DC fast charging, the 110kW powertrain has a 100 kW DC socket to charge the 52 kWh battery. The 90 kW powertrain is equipped with an 80 kW DC socket to charge the 40 kWh battery. In both cases, it will take just 30 minutes to charge the battery from 15% to 80%…

With the V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology available on new Renault 5 E-Tech electric with the 11 kW AC bidirectional charger, users can save on the cost of home front wh, while benefiting from low-carbon electricity that can be fed back into the power grid in order to meet demand.

Naturally, Renault 5 E-Tech electric can also be charged from a conventional charging point, at home or on the street.

With the V2L (vehicle-to-load) technology built into Renault 5 E-Tech electric’s bidirectional charger, users can connect a 220V appliance, such as a hoover, kettle or electric barbecue to the car’s battery, via an optional adapter. The power output of this function is 3,700 watts.

Further details will be revealed prior to the technology being rolled out in the UK.

Now that the press embargo has been lifted, here is Jonny Smith’s review of the Renault 5 E-Tech for The Late Brake Show. It’s set to start at the V2x section, but please feel free to rewind to the beginning:

Does the Renault 5 E-Tech herald the advent of an AC V2x revolution in the United Kingdom?

Roll on 2025!

[Update – February 29th]

Here are a couple of close up images of the engineering inside the Renault 5 E-Tech, recorded in Geneva by Robin Berg of We Drive Solar. Firstly there’s the shiny bright “11 kW AC bi-directional charger” under the bonnet:

followed by an “exploded” view of the traction battery and “engine”:

[Update – March 10th]

In answer to some questions Renault UK have given me a bit more information about the V2x capabilities of the forthcoming RHD R5:

The Renault 5 E-Tech will be capable of supplying 7.4 kW to a UK home with a single phase rather than three phase electricity supply.

A compatible bi-directional home charger will become available in the course of 2025. Full details will be disclosed later.

Renault customers in the UK will be offered a service allowing them to substantially cut the cost of home charging. Estimation of V2G earnings in the UK will be confirmed when all the information is available.

An “off grid” V2H service capable of powering a home during a power outage will not be available at the time of the UK launch. However the onboard inverter is capable of doing so, and V2L will be available.

To be continued…