The original Renault 5 sold over 5.5 million units across five continents from 1972 to 1985 was the first car to achieve fuel consumption below the symbolic 5 litres/100km at 90km/h. Its first electric version was launched in 1974.
According to car manufacturer Renault, this new Renault 5 E-Tech  brings some sparkle to the world of compact electric vehicles. It fuses evocative design cues from three models: Renault 5 and Supercinq for their overall look, and Renault 5 Turbo for its wing extenders and attitude, sitting squarely on the road.
If we talk about the new EV today, that’s because it features a range of accessories that reinforce its cheery, mischievous character – some of them have been produced using Additive Manufacturing. Of the full range of 104 accessories, around 33 are ‘iconic’ accessories that will showcase or enhance the car’s design.
In the cabin, 3D printing technology paves the way for a wide range of decorative clip-on features or additional storage compartments with customized lids. For example, a large central storage unit available in three designs and two colors as well as a small central storage unit available in three designs and two colors are 3D printed at the Flins plant of the manufacturer.
That Refractory facility from the company manufactures prototype parts for new vehicle models, spare parts for machines and consumer parts and accessories for new vehicles. While there is no confirmation on the exact AM technology used for the production of these decorative accessories, it should be noted that its production environment would integrate a fleet of 18 machines using melted wire and powder melting technologies for both metals and polymers.
“To develop this car in just three years in France, to the highest technological standard, all our decisions had to be disruptive, and our organization as agile as possible. We were the first ones to make a bet on a 100% electric platform for a small European car, to optimise costs across the value chain, to relocate our industrial ecosystem… Only an iconic car could bring our teams together in this way and move the needle internally,” Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group said. “In the face of significant change in our industry, this car paves a new way for Renault. It’s at the heart of the battle to reinvent European industry against competition coming from the East and the West. With this vehicle, we’re proving that production in Europe, in France really is possible!”
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