7 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Indeed, it could a hard sell. But there is always something bigger and better by spending slightly more.

I think it's the physical size that's really attractive. R5 is not A segment car. It can't fit into same space as the Twingo. These little cars are excellent secondary vehicles, where EV's should have started in the first place, IMO.

Only 13 cm ie 5 inches shorter than an R5 but massively less capable.

Applaud use of LFP batteries, thought it might be at least 30 kwh to be signicantly better than the Spring which can be had for about £11k.

Spring is dye to come out soon with about a 100 hp motor. Needs to get better wheels and tyres D already feels skitty.

ICE Twingo was a real hoot. Turning circle like a London Cab and more power than the electric Twingo. Twingo etech needs more battery, more power etc sk hope there will be a hot version. I recall Renault paired with Smart was it, using their relationship abd part ownership of Mercedes to do a hot 120 hp version. We need that as well as a better base model I reckon.

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by lol-lol

Well got my R5 Evolution model Very good at low and medium speeds, near NSL and above, not really impressed but it should help me keep my licence. Gloucester police are pretty hot. Eco button works well as a licence keeper. Better than the Zoe, which sadly left for pastures new after 4 years, where Eco turned it in to a slug.

The Mini Cooper Eco still has the car accelerating PDQ and topping out at indicated 100 mph.

Think the graph below is about 8 mph per 1000 revs so echoes great up to 40 mph and then slow diminish until the motor hit 12,000 rpm at about 94 mph speedo probably indicate 97 or so with the usual overreading error. Best not to do in Gloucestershire where they will nick you for 80 mph on the A417 or M5, me and Princess Anne.

Bit better range after charging to 100% and with the warmer weather, about 160 miles of mostly Motorway driving.

OK with this but wonder how much better it might be with 15 /16 inch wheels and All seasons tyres rather than the 18 inch summer Contis.

The 121 hp, 225 Nm engine in this quite light car is enough to get the traction control working sometimes.

A Frunk tray and cable storing in there rather than in the boot should help get more weight on the front axle rather than the rear axle.

Renault 5, and Alpine 290, and Renault 4 getting the full £3,750 UK government grant.

Battery pack now hits the criteria for French ecological origin as of about 1st of December.

Mini Countryman, made in Leipzig, also has gained full EV grant status of £3750 rather than £1500.

For Mini, what about the 3-door Cooper and Aceman?

How come only the ugly fat one got the grant?

Is it because they are Built in China? Plans for building in the UK from 2026 were binned.

48 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

For Mini, what about the 3-door Cooper and Aceman?

How come only the ugly fat one got the grant?

We have a Cooper E but it is Chinese, ie GWL made and I have not heard of a change there. It is very well made and even the Cooper E is as quick as an Alpine 180 and not far behind a 220 hp version. Cooper SE quick and JWC another level.

Good to see Europe doing some good work as Mini-BMW and Renaultare, just need Stellantis and VW to up their fame more too.

46 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

Is it because they are Built in China? Plans for building in the UK from 2026 were binned.

Yarp.(Hot Fuzz).

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by lol-lol

What are Stellantis failing to do? They have 14 car brands. My local Ford Dealership was taken over by A.M. Phillip that have Light & Heavy Goods dealerships / worshops (Maxus) and other stuff around Scotland. This week they started as Jeep & Leapmotor dealers as well as Ford.

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by Evolution13

I think Stellantis are getting better quite quickly and their very large number of models there is something for most people.

Going from Citroen Peugeot to the massive group it is now and some really quite good cars in the line up. I think their problem is they keep losing out to Renault in the awards etc. So 8 out of 10 for products etc but they could do with win or two plus getting cars in the bigger EV grant category. Of all I hope Nissan LEAF does well as it has the British factory.

The Chancellor has forced Motability to drop Premium (Luxury) cars from their available ones and they are German and also Chinese, Japanese & from Stellantis Alfa Romeo. There are more expensive cars than these Luxury models / Brands but they are still available. She is wanting the contribution from the tax payers in the way of the VAT not paid to help get more UK Built Nissan's first registered / leased. It makes no difference it seems that Motability had better residuals from the sale of the so called Luxury vehicles @ 3 years or sooner rather than the 'Ordinary cars'. This is maybe why Motability are taking such a high advance payment on the Renault 5 EV and the Nissan Micra EV. So looks like, Motability are going to 'Shift' nearly new cars that are looking for new owners. Very likely the thousands of Pre Registered EV,s kicking around in the UK that currently private and business users do not want.

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by Evolution13

22 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

The Chancellor has forced Motability to drop Premium (Luxury) cars from their available ones and they are German and also Chinese, Japanese & from Stellantis Alfa Romeo. There are more expensive cars than these Luxury models / Brands but they are still available. She is wanting the contribution from the tax payers in the way of the VAT not paid to help get more UK Built Nissan's first registered / leased. It makes no difference it seems that Motability had better residuals from the sale of the so called Luxury vehicles @ 3 years or sooner rather than the 'Ordinary cars'. This is maybe why Motability are taking such a high advance payment on the Renault 5 EV and the Nissan Micra EV. So looks like, Motability are going to 'Shift' nearly new cars that are looking for new owners. Very likely the thousands of Pre Registered EV,s kicking around in the UK that currently private and business users do not want.

I gather this is more down to Renault CEO than RR as Renault upper its minimum deposit from 30% to 40%. New Renault CEO seems more busy savvy than the last one. No big discounts on the 5 either as Renault sort of saying it sells itself.

Better deals on the Megane ie i coukd getvm a big Blue Light discount on that but not the 5.

Was ever thus. Small discounts on the bread and butter cars but bigger ones on the segment C and D cars.

Such a bargain now and with cheaper lecky from April first these is good. Hopefully cheaper Publuc charging as well as home lecky.

Motability buy them for Cash Money minus VAT. There are Renaults and Nissans with lower Advance Payments. More expensive models, petrol / hybrid. Manufacturers sell Motability cheap the ones they really need shifted, as Ford did last quarter with the Explorer & Capri.

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by Evolution13

The Renault 5 continues to be a much desired car despite its shortcoming ie principally the lack of rear seat space. I echo what they say as below, granddaughter, just under 2, repeats "Yellow Car, yellow car" multiple times when I visit in it, Red Scenic, nothing. I think the new Polo aka ID2 will also be a big hit and it is not as compromised in the rear seats and boot as the 5. Hope for VW sake it is as the ID3, 4, and 5 does not seem to have had the fan fair so let us home for European workers sake the electric Polo does do well.

"Of all the cars you could drive to catch other folks' eyes at present, Bentley or Lamborghini included, a Pop Yellow 5 creates the most interest. Maybe a passing Ferrari F40 would excite some people more, but the 5 attracts all classes. I'm becoming quite used to returning to my car in the street, getting it started, then pausing because somebody has cantered across the road and tapped on the window, wanting to know more. Maybe it won't last. After all, 5.5 million original 5s were sold even before the Supercinq took over in 1985. The new baby EVs will surely become an awfully common sight, especially if backed by Westminster. But for now, it's everyone's darling."

Autocar

15,000 miles later: The truth about the Renault 5 | Autocar

Retro-infused electric supermini is as good to live with as it is to look at

@lol-lol I thought it would be a perfect 2 seater car, rears folded or an occasional 3 seater. But i sat in one last week just incase i was a bit fatter and taller when i last drove one. But it was still tight in the front and not very comfy. I sat yesterday in a KIA EV3. It was like being in a lounge. Difference price range obviously.

21 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@lol-lol I thought it would be a perfect 2 seater car, rears folded or an occasional 3 seater. But i sat in one last week just incase i was a bit fatter and taller when i last drove one. But it was still tight in the front and not very comfy. I sat yesterday in a KIA EV3. It was like being in a lounge. Difference price range obviously.

Yes the Evolution spec is ok but would not want to do a hundred mike plus and the smaller battery in mine makes it a hour and maybe but all one would ve happy to spend in it but then I have the Scenic which I am happy to do long journeys in. Cheap-ish price or monthly.

Notably smaller than my Zoe.

I could have a base model Megane etech for similar money to a 52 kwh R5 etech, much more hp and range but happy with Evolution 40 kwh R5. I have added aftermarket cup holders and centre arm rest to make it more practical.

Edited 25 February25 Feb by lol-lol

R5 gets UK CoTY 2026 to add to roll call....

(but I think the Polo-e will challenge when out in the UK)

https://www.smithsmotorgroup.co.uk/news/renault-5-e-tech-electric-wins-uk-car-of-the-year-2026/

The Renault 5 E-Tech has been named the overall winner at the UK Car of the Year Awards, one of the most respected honours in the British automotive industry. The title follows its earlier success in the Small Car category and confirms its status as one of the most exciting new electric cars available in the UK. Judged by a panel of more than 30 leading motoring journalists, the awards recognise the best new vehicles currently on sale. After topping its class, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric went head-to-head with other category champions and was selected as the overall winner following final voting.

Edited 28 February28 Feb by lol-lol

I saw one of these near me. It’s not something I’d own, but like the new Peugeot and Citroen models - they look good…

Just now, OccyVRS said:

I saw one of these near me. It’s not something I’d own, but like the new Peugeot and Citroen models - they look good…

The R5 is quite flawed, tiny back seats, smallish boot but on the plus side it handles really well, most likely the styling, quite a good price especially with the full £3750 subsidy. Range is OK and has a good buffer if you run low.

I had a 3008e on holiday in Portugal, quite liked it but I do worry Stellantis as a group keep getting it not quite and they are losing ground to Renault abd other car makers and cannot keep losing ground. Chief designer of Stellantis was headhunted by Renault which I think why some styling cues look similar Stellantis to Renault.