The new model is expected to be cheaper than the R5, but more expensive than the Dacia Spring
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Affordable EVs seem to be a growing trend among automakers and Renault couldn’t be missing from the game. Besides the upcoming sub-€25k Renault 5, the French company is reportedly working on an even smaller and cheaper model that is set to arrive in 2026 as the entry point in its EV lineup.
The yet-unnamed EV will serve as a replacement for the Renault Twingo which is about to be phased out. Insider sources suggest that it will be built in Renault’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, which is also home to the production of the Twingo. Since we don’t have any spy shots or official teasers, we created the above speculative rendering of a fully electric city car incorporating Renault’s current styling language.
It is not clear if the model will share the CMF-BEV architecture with the 3.92m (154.3 inches) long Renault 5 but it will certainly have a smaller footprint. Rivals in the A-Segment will include the likes of the upcoming VW ID.1, Citroen e-C3, Fiat Panda, as well as Hyundai’s and Opel’s rumored entry-level EVs. To some extent, it could also compete with the Dacia Spring which is currently Renault Group’s cheapest electric car, but the Renault will likely offer higher levels of quality and refinement.
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More: Renault To Launch 8 New Models For Markets Outside Europe By 2027
In an earlier interview with Autocar, Renault’s CEO Luca de Meo disclosed plans for the “democratization” of EV ownership in Europe. He also revealed that the concept of Japanese kei cars served as an inspiration for Renault’s new entry-level EV, albeit translated into “European language”.
The rumored market launch of the new EV might be two years away, but insider sources suggest it will debut on Wednesday, November 15, during the investor’s day of Renault’s Ampere EV unit. Reuters reports that this move will help with the stock market listing of the new unit, amidst reports about weak demand for EVs and increased competition from China.
Renault’s Ampere will launch 6 new EVs by 2030, including the R5 supermini in 2024, the R4 SUV in 2025, and the smaller urban EV in 2026. Pricing for the latter has not been disclosed but chances are it will start from around €20,000 ($21,454), bridging the gap between the Dacia Spring and the upcoming Renault 5.
Note: This independent rendering is off-the-record and unrelated to Renault
