Renault is taking a unique approach to electric vehicles by offering retrofit kits for classic models, including the Renault 4 and 5 and the first-generation Twingo. The kits, which are being produced by R-FIT, a brand belonging to oldtimer specialist MCC Automotive, will be showcased at the annual classic auto show, Rétromobile in France.
This is not the first time Renault has offered retrofit kits for older models, despite also working on electrifying these model series from the ground up. The Renault 4 and Renault 5 are set to be fully electrified in 2024 and 2025, while the third-generation Twingo platform has been designed for electric drives since its launch in 2014.
The Renault 5 electric retrofit kit will go on sale in France in September 2023, with the equipment for the first-gen Twingo to follow at a later date. The Renault 4 kit, however, will be available next month, which could be significant given the Renault 4 has sold around eight million units from the 1960s to the 1980s.
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“These electric retrofit kits will enable people who love their classic cars and young people to drive in France in our iconic Renault 4, Renault 5 and Twingo, powered by electricity,” said Hugues Portron, Director of The Originals Renault. “In addition to the circular economy created by these new electric engine fits, the electric retrofit kits offer a solution that combines the pleasure of driving with savings and reliability without taking anything away from the style and the original designs of these well-loved timeless classics.”
The kit, which includes a brushless synchronous motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, will cost €11,900 including VAT and installation. While the partners have not released prices for other retrofit kits, this may be a more cost-effective option compared to purchasing a new electric vehicle from Renault. The carmaker plans to offer small electric cars such as the Renault 5 at prices starting at €20,000 in the future, but currently, electric vehicles like the Renault Zoe or Peugeot e-208 cost around €30,000.
The Renault 4 retrofit kit has already passed all tests at the UTAC and is eligible for national and regional subsidies in France. Renault has taken a two-pronged approach to electric vehicles, offering both new and retrofit options. The company argues that retrofitting a combustion-powered vehicle is a commercially attractive alternative to buying a new electric vehicle.
Phoenix Mobility has also been working on retrofitting ICE Master vans into electric vehicles since the summer of 2022 as part of Renault’s Re-trofit unit, which focuses on prolonging vehicle life and experimenting with the circular economy. It is currently not known if the retrofit kit will be offered in other markets.
