Electric Renault 5 E-Tech breaks cover

The wraps have come off the hotly anticipated Renault 5 E-Tech - the perky electric car is set to battle the MINI electric and Fiat 500 in the desirable city car stakes when it arrives in 2025.

It's the first production EV to benefit from a AmpR small chassis platform and weighs in at under 1500kg and under 4 metres in length. Bucking the trend for larger, heavier and more expensive battery packs, Renault has confirmed that the Renault 5 will come available with a choice of two capacities - 40 kWh or 52 kWh. Although for launch only the larger capacity will be made available. In terms of real world range, the 52 kWh version should be good for around 220 miles and the 40 kWh around 160 miles.

Renault is also keen to point out that there is new architecture going on under there compared to the current Megane and Zoe EVs - with the Renault 5 benefiting from larger battery modules which means a simplified structure and shaves off 20 kg compared to the Zoe. The 40 kWh battery has just three large modules in the same casing. Each of these three modules includes 31 cells of increased thickness, weighing in at around 240kg.

Looking at charging the Renault 5 E-Tech, the pure electric model will come with a new 11kW AC bidirectional charger, allowing for faster AC charging times on a 11kW charging box. While the bidirectional bit means V2L is available, allowing small appliances to be powered by the vehicle.

When it comes to DC rapid charging, the small battery can accept up to 80 kW of power, while the larger battery can accept up to 100 kW of power. In means in both cases it'll take around 30 minutes to take a battery from 15% to 80% capacity.

Produced in Northern France, Renault is claiming that the Renault 5 E-Tech will have a recyclability level of an impressive 85%, with 22% of materials taken from the circular economy.

You'll be able to lease the Renault 5 from DriveElectric via personal or business contract hire in the coming months.