Why is the Renault 5 Turbo 3E Generating So Much Buzz Among Car Enthusiasts?
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E isn’t just another electric car—it’s a wild, unapologetic homage to the legendary 1980s Renault 5 rally cars, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. With its striking yellow, black, and white livery, the 3E instantly telegraphs its motorsport heritage. But what’s really turning heads is the fact that this 533bhp hyper-hatchback is already sold out until 2028, despite a hefty £140,000 price tag. That’s right: half of the planned 1980 units (a nod to the original’s launch year) have been snapped up, and the rest are expected to disappear fast.
So, what’s behind the frenzy? For starters, the 3E is no ordinary EV. It’s a bespoke creation, built on a platform developed by Alpine—Renault’s performance arm—using lightweight materials and a carbon-composite structure. The result? A car that weighs just 1450kg, barely more than the standard Renault 5, despite packing a much larger battery and dual in-wheel motors. This isn’t just a collector’s item; it’s a statement piece for those who crave both performance and exclusivity.
Who’s Buying the Turbo 3E, and What Makes It So Special?
The buyer list reads like a who’s who of car aficionados: owners of the original R5 Turbo, collectors with stables full of Alpines, Ferraris, and Porsches, and anyone drawn to something truly exotic. According to project leader Michael Grosjean, the common thread is passion—these are people who love wild, uncompromising cars.
What sets the 3E apart is its sheer audacity. With 533bhp and a claimed 3540 lb ft of wheel torque (though real-world delivery is closer to 10% of that), the numbers are staggering. Expect 0-62mph in under 3.5 seconds, 0-120mph in less than 9 seconds, and a track-only top speed of 168mph. The in-wheel motors, supplied by British specialist Protean Electric, allow for pinpoint control and immediate power delivery, while also saving weight and space at the axle. Forget electronic differentials—this setup doesn’t need one.
And then there’s the driving experience. The 70kWh battery is mounted for optimal agility, and the car features a dedicated drift mode and a rally-style vertical handbrake. Renault claims “spectacular” drift capabilities, and the car can be fast-charged from 15% to 80% in just 15 minutes at 350kW. Range? About 250 miles in normal driving, but if you’re hammering it on track, expect 15 to 20 minutes of full-throttle fun before you need a recharge.
How Does the Turbo 3E Balance Retro Style with Modern Performance?
Renault’s designers faced a real challenge: how to honor the iconic look of the original 5 Turbo while meeting modern performance and safety standards. The solution? A body that’s 158mm longer, 256mm wider, and 118mm taller than the standard 5, with the windscreen pushed back and the wheelbase stretched. The result is a car with the length of a city car but the width of a supercar—aggressive, squat, and unmistakably purposeful.
Aerodynamics play a huge role, too. The 3E sports a front splitter, a large air outlet on the bonnet, side scoops, rear wing extensions, and massive intakes to keep the motors cool. Only the mirrors, door handles, and tail-lights are shared with the regular Renault 5. Everything else is bespoke, designed to maximize downforce and minimize drag.
Inside, the car is just as special. Think bucket seats upholstered in Alcantara, hand-woven tartan on the dashboard, six-point harnesses, and a raft of carbon fiber trim. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen are carried over from the standard 5, but the graphics get a retro 1980s twist. Even the driver’s seat gets its own unique color.
What Technical Hurdles Did Renault Face—and How Did They Overcome Them?
Weight is the eternal enemy of electric performance cars, especially when you’re chasing supercar-level agility. As Renault Group design boss Laurens van den Acker puts it, “Weight is a never-ending battle.” At 1450kg, the Turbo 3E is impressively light for an EV with this much power, but it’s still heavier than the featherweight Alpine A110. The team’s solution was to use a mix of carbon composites and aluminum, and to optimize every component for weight savings.
Another challenge was translating the wild concept car into a street-legal, production-ready machine. In the past, carmakers would show off radical concepts that never made it to the showroom. This time, Renault pushed the boundaries, getting remarkably close to the original vision. The result is a car that feels like a concept come to life—something that’s all too rare in today’s risk-averse industry.
Is There a Future for More Extreme Renault Performance Cars?
With the Turbo 3E, Renault has shown it’s willing to take risks and cater to enthusiasts who want more than just another practical EV. CEO Fabrice Cambolive hints that if the 3E is a success, there could be more performance models in the pipeline. There’s even talk of celebrating the heritage of other Renault icons, like the Renault 4, with special editions—though nothing is officially planned yet.
What’s the Real-World Impact of the Turbo 3E’s Technology?
Beyond the hype, the Turbo 3E is a rolling showcase for next-generation EV tech. In-wheel motors, advanced battery cooling, and ultra-fast charging are all features that could trickle down to more mainstream models in the future. The car’s ability to deliver both everyday usability (with a 250-mile range) and track-ready thrills (with dedicated drift and rally modes) is a testament to how far electric performance has come.
The big takeaway? The Renault 5 Turbo 3E isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end. Whether you’re a die-hard collector or just someone who loves seeing bold ideas hit the road, the Turbo 3E proves that there’s still room for passion, creativity, and a little bit of madness in the electric age.