Renault has taken the wraps off its most ambitious electric vehicle project yet, revealing the production version of the highly anticipated Renault 5 Turbo 3E. This electrified reboot of the iconic 1980s hot hatch promises supercar-rivaling performance in a compact package, positioning itself as what Renault boldly calls the world's first electric mini-supercar.
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| Renault 5 Turbo 3E: The world's first electric mini-supercar, showcasing bold design and supercar performance |
A Design That Honors Its Heritage
The newly unveiled Renault 5 Turbo 3E stays remarkably true to the concept version first shown at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, featuring dramatic styling that pays homage to its rally-bred ancestors. The production model sports the striking yellow and black livery reminiscent of the 1982 Renault 5 Turbo rally car, complete with prominent bumper extensions and an aggressive rear wing. While it borrows some elements from the standard Renault 5 E-Tech electric, including rear lights and wing mirrors, the Turbo 3E's widened stance and performance-focused design make it immediately distinguishable as something far more extreme.
Revolutionary In-Wheel Motor Technology
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the Turbo 3E is its propulsion system. Unlike most electric vehicles that house motors within the chassis, this hot hatch utilizes two in-wheel electric motors mounted at the rear. This configuration delivers 540 horsepower directly to the 20-inch wheels with what Renault claims is zero loss and zero lag time. The design choice not only maximizes power delivery but also creates a rear-wheel-drive platform specifically engineered for dynamic driving and drift capabilities, complete with a rally-style vertical handbrake to initiate slides.
Supercar Performance in a Compact Package
The performance specifications are genuinely impressive for a vehicle of this size. Renault claims the carbon fiber-bodied Turbo 3E will accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 168mph. These figures put it in direct competition with established supercars like the Ferrari Roma and McLaren Artura. Despite its performance focus, the car still offers a practical electric range of nearly 250 miles, making it usable as a daily driver.
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| The Renault 5 Turbo 3E showcases its high-performance design, emphasizing its capability to compete with supercars |
Advanced Charging Capabilities
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E features an 800-volt electrical architecture that enables DC fast charging at up to 350kW. This advanced system allows the battery to charge from 15% to 80% in approximately 15 minutes when connected to a compatible charger. According to Phillipe Varet, one of the project's chief engineers, the car is designed to handle about 20 minutes of track driving before requiring a 20-minute charge to get back on circuit – a practical consideration for a performance-oriented EV.
A Driver-Focused Interior
While Renault has yet to fully reveal the interior, the company promises it will match the exuberance of the exterior design. Expected features include bucket seats, six-point harnesses, and the aforementioned rally-style vertical handbrake. The cabin will blend Renault's quirky heritage with modern technology, incorporating a 10.1-inch driver display and a 10.25-inch OpenR infotainment system borrowed from the standard R5 E-Tech, but with bespoke digital dial designs and Renault's AI assistant.
Exclusivity and Customization
Limited to just 1,980 individually numbered units (a reference to the year the original Turbo was released), the Turbo 3E will be highly exclusive. Renault is taking the customization aspect to new heights, with buyers able to work directly with the company's designers to create unique specifications. Gilles Vidal, Design Vice President at Renault, emphasized that customers will be able to select from various exterior colors and interior finishes, with the design team even willing to accommodate requests as unique as Hello Kitty liveries.
Pricing and Availability
While official pricing hasn't been announced, estimates suggest the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will start at around £130,000 (approximately USD $168,000), with extensive customization options potentially pushing that figure to as much as £200,000 (about USD $260,000). This positions it in the same price bracket as vehicles from Aston Martin and exceeds the cost of the McLaren Artura that Renault benchmarked for performance. Pre-orders are set to open in the coming weeks, with first deliveries expected in 2027.
Renault's Bold Electric Vision
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E represents a significant statement of intent from the French manufacturer at a time when many automakers are reconsidering their all-electric strategies. Under CEO Luca de Meo, Renault appears fully committed to electrification, using this halo model to showcase the exciting possibilities of electric performance vehicles. Following the success of the standard R5 E-Tech, which has already won numerous awards and briefly outsold Tesla's Model Y in France, the Turbo 3E demonstrates that Renault isn't just focused on practical EVs but is willing to push boundaries with genuinely thrilling performance machines.