Renault 5 Turbo 3E
Developed as a “mini super sports car”
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E, which delivers the most powerful maximum output in Renault’s history of 547 PS, was developed as a “mini super sports car” that offers performance comparable to a super sports car in a compact car.
“A beast built for rallying, drifting and circuit racing, adapted for the road.” These words sum up the development and engineering of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. Developed as Renault’s most powerful and advanced road car to date, this fully electric sports car embodies the Renault brand’s passion for motorsport.
The 5 Turbo 3E pays homage to the 5 Turbo and 5 Turbo 2, developed in 1980 to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC). These two mid-engine rally cars, based on front-wheel drive compact cars, made their mark on the era with their powerful performance in the rally field. The 5 Turbo was based on technology introduced by Renault to F1, and was also the first French model to feature a turbocharged gasoline engine.
The 5 Turbo 3E is more than just a restomod, a modern reimagining of the iconic French sports car of the 1980s. It features a modern, innovative, and cutting-edge fully electric powertrain, delivering performance that far exceeds that of its predecessor. In addition to a system output of 547 PS and 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3.5 seconds, advanced customization options are also available to meet any customer’s wishes.
Only 1,980 units will be sold in several major markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Australia, in honor of the year the original 5 Turbo was launched. Each will be serially numbered, and customers will be able to choose their number when ordering. Reservations will begin within the next few weeks, with the first deliveries scheduled to take place in 2027. Renault Brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive commented on the announcement of the 5 Turbo 3E:
“With the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, we have created a new category: the ‘mini supercar’. The Renault brand has once again demonstrated its passion and the bold and innovative spirit that has led the brand to its times.”
“This exhilarating and thrilling model, with a length of just four metres, is unprecedented on the market and promises the best performance and feeling. With this car, Renault is making EVs even more desirable, promising to satisfy all needs and desires.”
A modern reboot of a 1980s rally car
Its aggressive exterior is a modern reinterpretation of the 5 Turbo rally car that raced through Monte Carlo and the Tour de Corse in the 1980s.
The exterior of the 5 Turbo 3E features a design reminiscent of a super sports car. The bumper and rear wing are fitted with special extensions to improve aerodynamics. In a fully electric model, aerodynamics not only directly affects speed and cornering performance, but also improves efficiency, making it an important factor alongside overall weight.
Although some features, such as the taillights and wing mirrors, have been carried over from the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, the inspiration for the car was primarily the original 5 Turbo and 5 Turbo 2. The essence of the iconic 1980s rally cars has been interpreted in a modern way, and the retro-future design concept used in the 5 (Cinq) and 4 (Quatre) has been introduced.
Gilles Vidal, Renault & Ampere’s Vice President of Design, explained the design of the 5 Turbo 3E:
“Reinterpreting the legendary Renault 5 Turbo and 5 Turbo 2 was a bold challenge for us. We have fused modern technology and aerodynamics optimized for the EV era while retaining the excitement and racing spirit of the rally cars of that time. Every line and form expresses a balance of performance and individuality. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is not simply a homage to a classic car of the past, but a machine with a feel and emotion that can be infinitely personalized by anyone.”
Windscreen retracted to extend wheelbase
The windscreen has been moved back from the 5 E-Tech Electric and the wheelbase has been extended, resulting in a more elongated and wide form.
To revive the genes of the original 5 Turbo, a specially developed rear-wheel drive fully electric architecture was developed. Compared to the 5 E-Tech Electric (total length 3920mm, wheelbase 2540mm), the windscreen is set back and the wheelbase is extended to 2570mm. The result is a compact yet wide and relaxed form with a total length of 4080mm, total width of 2030mm, and total height of 1380mm.
This exquisite size allows the 5 Turbo 3E to have the same overall width as a supercar and the overall length of a city car. This is what Renault has named the category “mini supercar.” The front section adopts the same layout as the previous 5 Turbo. The trapezoidal LED headlights blend into the hood together with the thin grille, and three slim air intakes are placed in the center.
The aerodynamic splitter surrounding the front bumper and the large air outlet on the hood optimize downforce levels. To maximize airflow efficiency, the intakes on the sides of the bumper direct air in front of the wheels, while the upper side scoops on the rear fenders direct air under the taillights. The lower side scoops are for brake cooling. The left side scoop also hides a charging hatch.
Equipped with a 200kW motor on each wheel
The 5 Turbo 3E is rear-wheel drive, with a 200kW motor on each rear wheel, and is expected to have a range of over 400km.
All power electronics are located between the 20-inch rear wheels, which are equipped with a motor. The heavy battery is housed under the floor, ensuring a low center of gravity while still providing ample trunk space. Furthermore, the body upper structure is made of carbon fiber, allowing Alpine engineers in charge of tuning and suspension to fully utilize their ideas regarding maneuverability.
The 5 Turbo 3E’s total weight, including the 70kWh battery, is approximately 1,450kg. It features a powertrain with a maximum output of 547PS (200kW motors mounted in both rear wheels), achieving a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7kg/PS, the same as the Super Sport. It accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in under 3.5 seconds, and also features drift performance features (special “Drift Assist” and a rally-style vertical handbrake).
The planned driving range is over 400km (WLTP combined, homologation application pending). Charging time is approximately 8 hours with an on-board 11kW charger. After completing several hot laps at a top speed of 270km/h, the battery can be charged from 15% to 80% in approximately 15 minutes using a maximum 350kW DC fast charger. In addition, the regenerative braking level has four settings to suit the driving environment.
Vertical handbrake reminiscent of a rally car
The racing-inspired cockpit, which combines carbon fiber components and Alcantara, is equipped with a vertical handbrake reminiscent of a rally car.
The interior features custom bucket seats with six-point harnesses, carbon fiber components for weight reduction, luxurious Alcantara upholstery on the seats and dashboard, and a vertical handbrake that evokes the cockpit of a rally car.
The driver-facing 10.1-inch cockpit screen and 10.25-inch “OpenR” screen feature an interface inspired by the original 5 Turbo’s dashboard, displaying driving, navigation and multimedia information interactively.
