Renault is reviving its rally-bred legacy with the all-new 5 Turbo 3E, a radical electric hatchback that blends 1980s nostalgia with cutting-edge performance.
Production is capped at 1980 units, a nod to the original Renault 5 Turbo’s rally debut, with first deliveries expected in 2027. Pricing remains undisclosed, though expectations place it squarely in supercar territory.
Power and performance
Unlike the front-wheel-drive Renault 5 EV, the Turbo 3E is engineered on a bespoke aluminium platform with an aggressive, wide-arched stance.
At its core lies a dual-motor setup driving the rear wheels, delivering a combined 400kW. Renault claims a blistering 0 to 100 km/h time of under 3.5 seconds, putting it in contention with performance EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
A dedicated drift mode and a rally-style vertical handbrake reinforce the Turbo 3E’s motorsport DNA, promising dynamic handling and an exhilarating drive.
The 70kWh battery, positioned beneath the floor, provides up to 400km of range under moderate driving conditions. Thanks to an 800V architecture, ultra-fast charging at 350kW enables a 15 to 80% recharge in just 15 minutes.
Aggressive aero with retro cues
The Turbo 3E shares little with the standard Renault 5 EV beyond its rear lights and mirrors. Its wheelbase stretches to 2570 mm, 30mm longer than the stock 5, while the windscreen has been repositioned for a more aggressive profile.
Twenty-inch wheels fill the exaggerated arches, with functional vents in the rear quarter panels aiding brake cooling and aerodynamics.
Renault debuted the 3E in colours inspired by the 1982 Tour de Corse livery, with additional personalisation options available.
A stripped-down, motorsport-focused cabin features carbon trim, Alcantara upholstery, six-point harnesses and a dual-screen OpenR infotainment setup with 10.1-inch and 10.25-inch displays.
Who can buy it?
With its bespoke platform developed by Alpine - hinting at shared underpinnings with the upcoming A110 EV - the Turbo 3E is set to be a unique collector's piece - a statement that Renault is serious about performance EVs.
Renault will open orders for European, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Australian markets in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately, no New Zealand availability is planned after Renault's local arm shifted its focus to commercial vehicles. That means the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will sadly remain just out of reach for Kiwis.
