Category Archives: EV

2025 Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

At the beginning of the 70s, Renault’s engineers had the task of developing a car that would fill the gap between the Renault 4 and the Citroen 2CV. The result was Renault 5. The best-selling model in France until 1980 when Renault expanded its offering in this class. Now the French manufacturer has premiered the electric version of this model, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric.

The car is 3.92 meters long, 1.77 meters wide and 1.5 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.54 meters. A retro-futuristic design that gives it a modern look while staying true to its roots. The design of the front lights and vertical rear lights pay homage to the legendary Renault 5, just like the pronounced wheel arches. The rear door handles are integrated into the base of the C-pillars to create the illusion of a three-door body like the original. It is equipped with a multi-link rear independent suspension, a heat pump for quick heating of the interior and a system for recuperating energy by braking, which is used to charge the battery.

Inside, the vertical stitching on the dash and ventilation openings in the shape of a rectangle are reminiscent of the original. There is also a 7.0- or 10.0-inch screen of the digital instrument cluster depending on the version, a 10.0-inch screen of the infotainment system. Although it is a small car, the capacity of the luggage compartment is 326 liters. It is larger than the Twingo, but smaller than the Clio, and is the first model based on the AmpR Small platform previously known as the CMF-B EV.

When it comes to the powertrain, the 40 kWh battery version is powered by an electric motor with 95 hp (71 kW) and 159 lb-ft (215 Nm) of torque or 120 hp (89 kW) and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm) of torque , which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10 seconds. It weighs 1,350 kg. The slightly heavier version (1,450 kg) is equipped with a 52 kWh battery, and is powered by an electric motor with 150 hp (110 kW) and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a range of 400 km.

The price of the new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric will be around 25,000 euros.

Source: Renault

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2025 Dacia Spring

After the recently published teaser on Dacia France’s “X” (Twitter) account with the description “Coming soon…stay tuned!”, Dacia has unveiled the new redesigned Dacia Spring.

Dacia Spring was premiered four years ago, and two years later the front fascia and the new Dacia logo were redesigned. Last year it was introduced with the Extreme equipment with more functions and power. Dacia Spring is powered by an electric motor with a power of 45 or 65 HP (34 – 48 kW), and is equipped with a 26.8 kWh battery that enables a range of between 220 and 225 kilometers WLTP.

The new redesigned edition brings a revised front grille, front LED lights, new logo, redesigned fenders, while the charging socket remains in the center of the hood. Redesigned rear part reminiscent of the Sandero Stepway with LED lights connected by a black strip, which also integrates the brand name. Despite the improvements, the car still weighs less than a ton (984 kg). Dacia also offers a wide range of body colors (6) including two new ones: Safari Beige and Brick Red.

The interior of the new Dacia Spring is now much more practical. The seats are covered with dark eco leather with brown stitching. The steering wheel is adjustable in height for the first time, and behind it is a digital instrument panel with a 7-inch adjustable screen. The media control system is standard from the Essential and Expression packages. Also, the volume of the luggage space has been increased to 308 liters.

Dacia has also taken care of passenger safety, so now the new Spring is equipped with an automatic emergency braking system with the function of detecting vehicles, pedestrians and motorcyclists, a system for recognizing traffic signs with a warning for exceeding the permitted speed, rear parking assistance, an emergency stop signal, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, driver attention control system, and emergency call (eCall).

When it comes to the powertrain, the Dacia Spring is still powered by a single electric motor with 45 or 65 hp (34 – 48 kW). It is equipped with a 26.8 kWh battery that enables a range of 220 kilometers. Many will say that the range is too short, but research has shown that buyers of this model drive an average of 37 kilometers per day, so 220 km is quite enough.

The price has not been announced.

Source: Dacia

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2025 Cupra Born VZ

In May 2021, Cupra presented a small family battery electric compact car, the Cupra Born. Three years later, the automobile brand announces a new, more powerful version of this model called the Cupra Born VZ.

Although last year VW temporarily suspended production of the Born model at its plants in Zwickau and Dresden, the Cupra still managed to sell 45,300 units, which is an increase of almost 45 percent compared to 2022.

The new Cupra Born VZ will be offered in two body colors: Dark Forest and Midnight Black. It will be based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform like the current model, and in addition to its standard equipment, the Born VZ will be equipped with Dark Chrome details and 20″ wheels, revised steering, better braking system and sports suspension.

Inside, the sports seats from the Formentor VZ5 and Leon VZ models are covered in eco-leather, which also covers the door panels, center console and armrests. There is also a centrally placed 12.9-inch display, a Sennheiser audio system with 10 speakers and a power of 425 W (optional).

When it comes to the powertrain, the Born VZ will be powered by an electric motor with 326 hp (243 kW) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque, which is enough to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 ,7 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). Instead of the 77 kWh battery that the current model has, the Born VZ will be equipped with a 79 kWh battery that will provide a range of 570 kilometers. The battery can be charged at fast chargers up to 170 kW.

The new Cupra Born VZ should arrive on the market in the second half of 2024, while the first deliveries can be expected at the end of the year.

Source: Cupra