Renault has opened order books for the updated Renault 5 E-Tech in the UK. Prices remain unchanged despite a number of technical improvements to the electric supermini.

In the UK, the new R5 E-Tech electric has some meaningful enhancements across the board – just as in the rest of Europe. The new entry-level Evolution 120 Urban Range uses a 40 kWh battery and 90 kW motor, with WLTP range increasing to 315 km (196 miles) – up from 312 km previously. Meanwhile, the 52 kWh version gains 20 km of range to reach up to 430 km (267 miles) under the WLTP cycle. Renault attributes these gains to aerodynamic changes, including a lower ride height and redesigned exterior mirrors, alongside optimisation of the battery electronics.

Despite all this, there’s some positive news for British customers where price is concerned. The entry level Renault 5 E-Tech electric with a 40 kWh battery retains a starting price of £21,495 OTR. This amounts to a much lower UK price than when the model was first launched; its 40 kWh version initially had a starting price of £22,995. The larger 52 kWh Comfort Range version also starts at £23,945. Both prices are inclusive of the UK’s £3,750 Electric Car grant, for which both models remain eligible.

While UK prices remain unchanged, Renault has actually reduced prices for the revised R5 E-Tech electric in Germany. There, the 40 kWh Evolution 120 has received a €1,710 (~£1,470) price cut, and now starts at €26,290 (~£22,620). Conversely, the 52 kWh Evolution 150 – which uses the same battery and motor as the UK’s ‘Comfort Range’ – starts at €29,290 (£25,200~).

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