After 5 years at the head of Renault, c’es l’Enciere time for Luca de Meo. Etc’es precisely this figure “5”, which will undoubtedly remain associated with its transition to the Chief of the French manufacturer with the revival of a mythical model: the R5.
If c’de fact, it is the megane e-tech that marked the beginning of the “Renaulution”, the great strategic plan launched by Luca de Meo in early 2021, the project already existed before the one of the Italian leader. The Megane would prefer to be the “baby” of Gilles Le Borgne, who arrived a few months before, in early 2020, to direct the R&D of the French manufacturer.
An unexpected concept of technology
The Evision Mégane, the concept that foreshadows the future Electric Mega is presented on October 15, 2020 by Luca de Meo, who assumed the position of general director of the group in July. Etc’es during his first steps within the Technocentre of Guyancourt (Yvelines), where the future Renault models are taking shape, that the one that passed by Fiat and the seat has a favorite for a concept that a little remains to’Bondono.
The concept of an echo, “a real orange model” inspired by the R5 is thus presented to the al’italian then 53 years as a simple “style exercise” that remains in the boxes. “Do’es only the exploratory work of a designer, François Leboine”.
Luca de Meo, Marketing at Fiat at the time of the launch of the New 500 in 2007, a model that will save the Italian manufacturer, smells the entire potential of this rebirth. If the zoé was a pioneer of the Diamond brand, Carlos Ghosn would have opposed a modern R5. On the contrary, his successor sees the’ocasion of making the head of the bridge’un strategy resolutely towards the increase in zero emission, with a nostalgia effect to embark to the clients’ yesterday in this transition that must embody the diamondfuturo of the diamond.
From concept to reality
On January 14, 2021, the R5 concept was the icing on the “renaulution” cake. The presentation of the prototype immediately unleashes a certain passion, especially when its designer, Gilles Vidal, specifies that the series model will resume 90 to 95% of the concept.
Do’Esta in the Geneva Motor Show, in February 2024, which Luca de Meo released the R5 serial version. We found there the ingredients that made the charm of the concept, in particular this retro-facture design that drives the stylistic codes of the model of the present and especially in the Renault function.
A year later, still in the Geneva Motor Show, the R5 received the European car title of the year. A double for Luca de Meo after the same trophy won the previous year by the new Scenic, now it is only offered in 100% electric. do’es the first time that the same brand wins this prestigious title two years in a row from Fiat in 1995 and 1996, with the double and brave/brava.
Commercial beginnings with fanfarria
The commercial launch of the R5 was particularly expected, more than three years after the presentation of the concept that was largely shown in the advertising campaigns that present the manufacturer’s electric future.
Beyond the seduced design, the first tests in October 2024 confirm progress compared to the Zoé, either in electrical performance and equipment on board.
A leap to modernity that seems to find its audience: at the end of the year, the R5 increases the sales of’Electric in Renault and prepares the field for the R4, a more familiar version, and that Renault has just launched at the end of the spring of 2025.
The beginning of the year is also promising for little r5: from January to April in Europe, it is function at 22,610 copies. Enough to compete with a Volkswagen ID.3, with just over 24,000 units during the same period, or a Citroën ë-C3, with 16,343 units.
A 100% electric electric bet
But, unlike its designer competitor, the new Renault 5 remains a fairly expensive electric car: more than 30,000 euros for the first versions sold and 28,000 euros for the version “Urban Autonomy” launched in early 2025. A little far from the object of democratizing the’Electric but shown by Luca de Meo from the presentation of the concept in 2021. which now begins at 25,000 euros (excluding bonds) with a less powerful engine of 95 Cheveaux and L’Al lack of fast charge.
Above all, the 100% electricity bet seems risky when sales fell last year in Europe and that the context is still complicated since the beginning of La’Año.
In this context, a large part of the public, a fan of the design of this new R5, affirms thermal versions. Officially not in El’Agenda with a platform dedicated to La’electric, where Stellantis is committed to multiple energy, in theimagen of the Citroën C3, also offered in gasoline and hybrid versions.
Beyond its success in El’electric, R5 N’Tampoco has become the “Best-Seller” of Renault. It occupies the 13th position in the market (all combined engines) in the French market from January to May, with 12,923 units, far behind the Clio, first in 42,672 sales and that particularly benefits the rise of L’Ibrido.
Luca de Meo N r5’por there, it has not yet confirmed all expectations. A model that, therefore, can be seen both today.
Source: BFM TV
