Renault 5 Electric – Iconic Compact on Smart Platform

As part of an extensive development program, nine prototypes of the all-electric new edition of the iconic small car are undergoing extensive driving tests under partly extreme conditions. The platform, drivetrain, and battery of the test vehicles are technically identical to the future production vehicle. Only the exterior of the prototypes is deceptive – the new technology is housed under a Renault Clio body.

Presentation of the new platform – unfortunately without more detailed technical information

During a press event, engineers and project managers from the French automaker are answering questions. However, the information on the new Renault 5 remains sparse.

“We will have a new motor, a new architecture – and all on a new platform,” says Gilles Godinot, Chief Engineer of the CMF-B-EV platform. “I can only provide limited information on further technical details.”

CMF-B-EV is on a test drive

The final testing phase for the upcoming electric R5 is being conducted both in winter tests on ice and snow in Arvidsjaur (Swedish Lapland) and during drives at the Renault technical centers in Lardy near Paris and Aubevoye in Normandy. The 613-hectare site features 35 test tracks with a total length of 60 kilometers, 42 test benches, 2 wind tunnels, and 18 corrosion chambers. The extensive grounds are surrounded by a 272-hectare forest area to protect the prototypes from prying eyes.

Hard test at the Arctic Circle

During the tests in Arvidsjaur in northern Sweden, the vehicles are subjected to extreme stress. Close to the Arctic Circle, temperatures on some winter days drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius with continuous wind. It is the ideal place to thoroughly test the electric Renault 5 prototypes even under the harshest conditions. The focus is not only on the electric motor and the drive battery, but also on the performance of onboard systems such as heating and windshield defrosting. In addition, the development teams ensure that brakes, shock absorbers, and the electronic stability program (ESP) work flawlessly on snow. Many of these scenarios cannot be reproduced at a test facility, providing valuable insights only under real-world conditions.

"With the first prototype tests, we wanted to determine whether the development direction we have taken with the new electric Renault 5 in terms of comfort and driving behavior is correct. Without giving too much away, the new model plays in the top league of its segment, fully in the tradition of the Megane E-Tech Electric. Accordingly, we will be highly motivated to continue the final tuning until its market launch next year," says Jérémie Coiffier, Technical Director of the B-EV family.

Scalable base for Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi

The new Renault 5 will be the first production model based on the CMF-B-EV platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. "CMF" stands for Common Module Family, "B" for B-Segment, and "EV" for electric vehicle. With the newly developed technical base, the French automaker aims to provide the most competitive and efficient platform in the small car class. 70 percent of the parts come from the CMF-B platform, which underpins Clio and Captur. Compared to the Renault Zoe E-Tech Electric, the CMF-B-EV platform is expected to be 30 percent cheaper to produce. The modular concept allows for the development of a new generation of electric vehicles with varying track widths and wheelbases, permitting different body types and shapes.

"The new CMF-B-EV platform offers enormous potential, as it allows for a lot of driving pleasure in the future Renault 5 and contributes to high competitiveness in the compact class," explains Delphine De Andria, Head of Product Development in the B-EV segment.

According to De Andria, the platform will be globally compatible across all 11 production sites of the Renault group. While the production costs of the new platform are cheaper than previous ones, it will not reach Tesla's level. For a traditional automaker, the art lies in combining new manufacturing techniques with existing production lines.