Renault has confirmed that only 1980 units of the two-seat 5 Turbo 3E will be available for markets in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Australia.
Customers will be able to choose their number when they order. Reservations will open in the coming weeks, and the first deliveries will take place in 2027.
A modern, electric reboot of the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 of the 1980s, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E embodies an exuberant design, custom platform and innovative 540 hp in-wheel motors.
With its 800-volt architecture, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E also maximises its charging performance. Its 350 kW DC charging power means that it can go from 15 to 80% battery power in just 15 minutes.
It will be highly customisable, in terms of exterior livery and interior trim.
Customers will be able to combine a wide range of variants to create their unique car.
Design
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is designed to look like a supercar: exuberant – as witnessed by the prominent bumper and rear wing extensions – while never turning aside from the quest for sportiness, agility and optimised aerodynamics. On an electric vehicle, aerodynamics plays a key role in vehicle efficiency, alongside weight.
The design is inspired by the original Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. A few features and characteristics are recognisable from the recent Renault 5 E-Tech electric, such as the rear lights and wing mirrors, but the main idea behind the project was to revive the heritage of these two 1980s models, using cutting-edge technologies to showcase its modern credentials and optimise performance.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is built on a new platform with rear-wheel drive architecture. Compared with the Renault 5 E-Tech electric (3.92m long and 2.54m of wheelbase), the windscreen has been moved back and the wheelbase extended (2.57m) to achieve truly spectacular dimensions (4.08m long, 2.03m wide, 1.38m tall) that showcase the sophisticated lines.
At the front, it maintains the same layout as its predecessors: square headlights – now with LED technology – fusing with the edge of the bonnet, a slim strip with three central sections and two additional square lights, originally long-range lights now replaced by LED daytime running lights.
The aerodynamic splitter running around the front bumper and the large air outlet on the bonnet help to optimise downforce for a perfect balance between front and rear. To maximise air flow efficiency, the intakes on the sides of the bumper channel the air ahead of the wheels, while the side scoops on the rear wings channel the flow under the lights, behind the vehicle. The lower side scoops cool the brakes. The left-hand scoop also conceals the charging hatch.
On the side, a specific surround runs around the windscreen pillars and the cabin roofline, fusing into the rear spoiler in a nod to the original Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. An aerodynamic splitter crosses the body between the two rear lights. Underneath the bumper is a diffuser whose efficiency is maximised by the design of the bumper, extending outwards on either side.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E conceals 20-inch wheels, each fitted with an electric motor, under its wing extensions. All the power electronics are located in between, while the battery is housed under the floor. This architecture frees up plenty of boot space for luggage – a unique proposition for such a sporty vehicle – while lowering the centre of gravity.
Technical architecture
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E was developed around an EV-dedicated platform and architecture to achieve the highest levels of performance with no trade-offs. The objective was to make the vehicle as light as possible for agility and speed, in line with supercar standards, i.e. 0-100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds.
This task was placed in the hands of Alpine. The engineers developed a dedicated aluminium platform able to accommodate any architecture. For the powertrain, they opted for rear-mounted in-wheel motors (rear-wheel drive architecture) for a fourfold advantage:
• 4800 Nm of torque;
• more immediate power without the ‘turbo’ lag of yesteryear
• significant weight and space savings on the rear axle;
• agility enhanced by separate control of the two motors.
The battery is positioned under the floor, lowering the centre of gravity and allowing the Alpine engineers in charge of tuning and suspension to fully develop their ideas for the car, achieving maximum agility, breathtaking performance and spectacular drift capabilities (with a dedicated drift-assist function and rally-style vertical handbrake), for real driving thrills. For this same reason, the vehicle superstructure is in carbon, a strong, lightweight material.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E weighs no more than around 1,450 kilos in total, including the 70 kWh battery. With a powertrain of 540 hp (2 x 200 kW), it boasts an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg/hp. With an expected 0-100 km/h time of under 3.5 seconds and a range of over 400 km on the road (WLTP combined range pending homologation). Full AC battery charging takes around eight hours with the onboard 11 kW charger.
For sportier driving on the track, Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be able to complete several hot laps with a top speed of up to 270 km/h, before initiating DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, thanks to its 800-volt architecture. Charging the battery from 15 to 80% will take 15 minutes. For overtaking, a button on the steering wheel provides a power boost. Another button will allow the regenerative braking to be set to four levels. Finally, four driving modes will be available with MULTI-SENSE: Snow, Regular, Sport and Race, which also includes the drift-assist function.
Interior
The interior will make a statement of sporting intent, with bucket seats and six-point harnesses, components made primarily of carbon to reduce vehicle weight, and materials such as Alcantara for the seats and dashboard. The rally-style vertical handbrake will add the finishing touch to this ambience.
Facing the driver, the 10.1-inch and 10.25-inch OpenR screens will display driving, navigation and multimedia information via an interface inspired by the dashboard of the original Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, while delivering the connected driving experience expected of a vehicle approved for the road, even one with sporting credentials.
The OpenR Link system with Google built-in, will offer access to a wide range of Google services, updated continuously over the months and years. This includes Google Maps, allowing drivers to plan their journey and also schedule charging through to their destination.
Customisable livery
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be available in a choice of exterior and interior colours, some reminiscent of the historic livery of the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, such as the Rouge Grenade seen on production models, or the yellow, white and black racing livery of the Tour de Corse 198” rally model.
New gentleman driver or contemporary livery options will also be available.
At the same time, customers will receive an extensive choice of personalisation options, ranging from the exterior livery to the interior trim (seats, dashboard, door panels, centre console, etc.). Alongside Renault designers, they will be able to combine the variants to create their own truly unique vehicle.
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