Just say it: Volkswagen ID2 or Renault 5?

Volkswagen is certainly a magnet for discussions on this site. That we see a positive trend in the many reactions to the Volkswagen ID2all between all the side roads and strong opinions, says a lot more. It is not very surprising, by the way, because the ID2all seems on paper to be devoid of everything that is less pleasing with the current ID range from Volkswagen. For example, it does not have the somewhat forced-hip appearance of the ID3, ID4 and ID5, the over-digitized controls in the interior are missing and the car as a whole appears more serious and high-quality, while it is the smallest model in the entire ID. series.

The idea is that the ID2all will actually dry up as a production model, as early as 2025. If that production version resembles the ID2all – and everything points to it – Volkswagen is going back to its ‘roots’ in a way through the down-to-earth, user-friendly and timeless character of the ID2all. to embrace again. Volkswagen also literally refers to the past, because the ID2all has some hidden retro jokes. For example, it is possible to choose a ‘Retro’ or ‘Classic’ theme via the infotainment screen, after which the instruments and screen are transformed into the style of an early Golf and an old Beetle, respectively. Nice!

Renault

A brand that looks even more clearly to the past is Renault. The French will come with several electric retro models in the coming years. One of them, the Renault 5, will appear in 2024. We already know a concept car from this car, the Renault 5 Prototype. The compact electric Renault combines a coach strongly based on the original Renault 5 with modern EV technology and, on paper, is directly in the waters of the Volkswagen ID2. That leaves us with a choice: German sobriety or French nostalgia?

We cannot say too much about the specifications of both cars, although Volkswagen does make a number of striking promises. For example, the ID2 must have a range of up to 450 kilometers and can be purchased for less than €25,000. The two don’t necessarily belong together and almost certainly won’t. For those 25 grand – if that works out – we rather count on about 300 kilometers, and as we are used to from Volkswagen, a fully loaded ID2 will quickly be expensive. Anyone who knows that a Polo costs at least €26,890 nowadays should not be surprised by a dressed ID2 of around €40,000.

The Volkswagen ID2 will be on the new MEB Entry platform, making it the first MEB-based car with front-wheel drive. The Volkswagen is not alone in this, because group members Cupra and Skoda are coming with compact EVs on the same platform. The Renault is also a front-wheel drive, which is also common with Renault for the larger EVs. The 5 shares its CMF-EV base with the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric, although there are differences due to the size and positioning.

Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa Electric

Renault is still tight-lipped when it comes to performance and other figures, although we did see a driving range of about 400 kilometers. In any case, the R5 fits well with the competitors that already exist, because the Peugeot e-208 in its latest form also comes about 400 kilometers away. The technically identical Opel Corsa will soon receive a similar upgrade, with the power also significantly improved. Stellantis is doing good business with the electric 208 and Corsa and can hardly keep up with demand, partly due to all kinds of shortages. In the future, the still very young group will clearly have a less easy time, because the electric B segment awaits expansion of some very interesting newcomers in the coming years. This expansion may have consequences for prices in this segment, where the difference between electric and petrol is currently quite large, even in the ‘bpm country’ of the Netherlands.