{"id":62001,"date":"2025-04-22T04:18:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T08:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/renault-unveils-the-5-turbo-3e-a-revolutionary-electric-hyper-hatch\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T04:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T08:18:06","slug":"renault-unveils-the-5-turbo-3e-a-revolutionary-electric-hyper-hatch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/renault-unveils-the-5-turbo-3e-a-revolutionary-electric-hyper-hatch\/","title":{"rendered":"Renault Unveils the 5 Turbo 3E: A Revolutionary Electric Hyper-Hatch"},"content":{"rendered":"

The automotive world is buzzing with excitement over the latest announcement from Renault: the new 5 Turbo 3E, a limited-run hyper-hatch that\u2019s turning heads and revving engines. Priced at \u00a3135,000, this electric marvel isn\u2019t just a nod to the past; it\u2019s a bold leap into the future, blending retro charm with cutting-edge technology. <\/p>\n

What Makes the 5 Turbo 3E So Special?<\/p>\n

Renault describes the 5 Turbo 3E as a \u201cmini-supercar,\u201d a term that captures its essence perfectly. This isn\u2019t merely a reimagining of the classic 5 Turbo from the 1980s; it\u2019s a complete overhaul that aims to redefine what a hot hatch can be. Laurens van den Acker, Renault Group\u2019s design chief, emphasizes the freedom the design team had in creating this vehicle, stating that it\u2019s a dream come true for designers. This unique approach\u2014designing the car before engineers got involved\u2014allowed for a fresh perspective that\u2019s not often seen in the automotive industry.<\/p>\n

The Turbo 3E is built on a bespoke platform, featuring a lightweight carbon composite structure that keeps the kerb weight around 1450 kg. This is only slightly heavier than the original Renault 5, despite the added performance and technology. The design pays homage to its predecessors while incorporating modern aerodynamic features, such as a front splitter and large air outlets to enhance downforce. <\/p>\n

Performance That Will Leave You Breathless<\/p>\n

When it comes to performance, the 5 Turbo 3E doesn\u2019t hold back. With two in-wheel motors generating a staggering 3540 lb-ft of torque (though realistically, the road torque will be about 10% of that), it promises exhilarating acceleration. Expect to go from 0 to 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds and hit 120 mph in less than 9 seconds, with a top speed of 168 mph for track enthusiasts. The immediate power delivery from the in-wheel motors allows for precise control, making it a joy to drive on both the road and the track.<\/p>\n

The vehicle is powered by a 70 kWh battery, offering a range of around 250 miles under normal driving conditions. However, if you\u2019re pushing the limits on a racetrack, expect that range to drop significantly, lasting only 15 to 20 minutes of high-octane fun. But fear not; the Turbo 3E is designed with thermal management in mind, allowing it to maintain performance even at high speeds. Plus, with fast-charging capabilities, you can recharge from 15% to 80% in just 15 minutes at 350 kW.<\/p>\n

A Nod to the Past, with a Modern Twist<\/p>\n

The aesthetic of the Turbo 3E is a striking blend of nostalgia and modernity. It features a livery reminiscent of the iconic 1980s Renault 5 rally cars, complete with a squat, aggressive stance. The dimensions have been altered to give it a more muscular appearance, making it 158 mm longer, 256 mm wider, and 118 mm taller than the standard model. This change not only enhances its visual appeal but also contributes to its performance capabilities.<\/p>\n

Inside, the Turbo 3E is just as impressive. It boasts bucket seats upholstered in Alcantara, a dashboard adorned with hand-woven tartan cloth, and a high-tech instrument display that nods to its 1980s roots. The design is focused on reducing weight while maintaining comfort and style, ensuring that every detail is crafted for performance.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead: What\u2019s Next for Renault?<\/p>\n

Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive hinted at the possibility of more performance models in the pipeline, depending on the success of the Turbo 3E. This suggests that Renault is not just dipping its toes into the performance market but is ready to dive in headfirst, exploring what the future holds for electric performance vehicles.<\/p>\n

With only 1,980 units set to be produced\u2014paying homage to the launch year of the original 5 Turbo\u2014this limited-edition model is sure to become a collector\u2019s item. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first half of 2027, giving enthusiasts something to look forward to.<\/p>\n

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is more than just a car; it\u2019s a celebration of automotive history, innovation, and the thrill of driving. Whether you\u2019re a fan of the original Turbo or simply someone who appreciates cutting-edge design and performance, this hyper-hatch is poised to make waves in the automotive landscape. Get ready to experience a piece of history reimagined for the modern age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Renault<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Yellow, black and white livery clearly takes inspiration from 1980s Renault 5 rally cars<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

New limited-run hyper-hatch is a “dream come true”, says Renault<\/p>\n

\n

The wait list\u00a0for the radical Renault 5<\/a> Turbo 3E has opened, pricing the extreme hot hatch<\/a> from \u00a3135,000.<\/p>\n

An\u00a0electric reincarnation of the 5 Turbo of 1980,\u00a0it\u00a0is said by Renault to have created an entirely new segment: the ‘mini-supercar’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Renault Group design chief Laurens van den Acker said: “Essentially there were no restrictions with this. I think we’re living in quite a good era in design at Renault Group at the moment. All our dreams seem to be coming true, and to do a little car with these proportions is a dream.”<\/p>\n

This was achieved through a one-of-a-kind role reversal between designers and engineers, he\u00a0said: “We had designed a car before the engineers got their hands on it and then the engineers made it happen, whereas in a normal world it would be the other way around.”<\/p>\n

The 5 Turbo 3E\u00a0is loosely based on today’s retro-styled Renault 5<\/a>\u00a0electric\u00a0supermini<\/a> but with a bespoke platform, its own bodywork and a pair of in-wheel motors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These combine to produce a claimed 3540 lb ft of wheel torque, although the torque transferred to the road is likely to be more like 10% of that figure.<\/p>\n

The resulting performance is a 0-62mph time expected to take less than 3.5sec, 0-120mph in under 9.0sec and a track-only top speed of 168mph.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The in-wheel motors are said to deliver their power to the rear wheels more immediately than conventional ones, while enabling more precise control of each wheel and providing a “significant” weight and space saving at the axle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The technology \u2013 which\u00a0Autocar understands\u00a0has been supplied by British specialist Protean Electric \u2013 removes the need for an electronic differential.<\/p>\n

The motors draw their power from a 70kWh battery pack that is fitted in a way that optimises agility and offers “spectacular” drift capabilities, claims Renault.\u00a0It even has a dedicated drift mode and a rally-style vertical handbrake.<\/p>\n

The battery pack is good for a range of 250 miles, although Renault has admitted that it will last between 15 and 20 minutes when driven flat-out on a track.<\/p>\n

Given its track credentials, the thermal management of the battery is such that it can be driven at speeds of up to 168mph before being fast-charged at 350kW, enabling it to charge from 15% to 80% in 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive said: “For me, it was very important to be able to have as extensive as possible coverage in terms of customer needs for the 5 – beginning with a very interesting price bracket but opening the adoption of this car to people who want extreme sensations.<\/p>\n

“When you have such a car which is such fun to drive, why not push the boundaries?”<\/p>\n

The all-aluminium platform was developed by Renault\u2019s sporting sister brand Alpine<\/a> and has been designed to achieve no compromise in performance, lightness, agility or efficiency. It aims to be “in line with supercar standards”.<\/p>\n

The platform sits under a bespoke body made of lightweight materials, with only the mirror, door handle and taillights carried over from the standard Renault 5.\u00a0Its carbon composite structure means it has a kerb weight of around 1450kg, which is just 1kg more than the Renault 5 despite its larger battery pack, extra performance and additional motor.<\/p>\n

It has been designed to look like a supercar<\/a> while referencing the original 5 Turbo and 5 Turbo 2, with aero-optimised front and rear bumpers as well as a front splitter and a large air outlet on the bonnet to maximise downforce. It also has side scoops to funnel air under the rear lights and make it as slippery as possible, along with rear wing extensions, large intakes to cool the motors, 20in alloys and a squat overall appearance.<\/p>\n

The menacing appearance has been achieved thanks to a change in dimensions. It’s 158mm longer, 256mm wider and 118mm taller than the standard 5, with the windscreen moved back and the wheelbase extended to help it achieve “the length of a city car for the width of a supercar”.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Talking about the challenges faced when designing the car, van den Acker said: “The big enemy is weight because of the battery. This car is 1450kg and we’re trying to get it lower knowing that an Alpine A110<\/a> in aluminium is 1000-plus\u00a0kilos. This is the biggest drawback: weight and price. Weight is a never-ending battle.”<\/p>\n

When asked about the subsequent learning curves during development, van den Acker said: “I think we’ve learned that\u00a0conceptually\u00a0it’s possible to put our dreams on the road. I’ve had a long career in design and we’ve stood there in front of a concept car and said ‘this gives you an impression of the future direction, but it won’t be like this, because A, B, C, D, F’. The biggest eye-opener to us is how close to the concept we can get if the company is behind it.”<\/p>\n

Inside are a pair of bucket seats upholstered in Alcantara, hand-woven tartan cloth on the dashboard, six-point harnesses, a raft of weight-reducing carbon and the same 10.1in instrument display and 10.25in infotainment touchscreen from the standard 5, although in this the instrument display will\u00a0have its own, 1980s-inspired look. The driver’s seat will be upholstered in its own colour.<\/p>\n

Cambolive previously suggested to Autocar that there could be more performance models in the pipeline for Renault after this. “I prefer to speak about Turbo 3E, and after that to see what we can do on top of that if Turbo 3E is a success,” he said. “Let’s build our ‘sportivity’ step by step.”<\/p>\n

Just 1980 examples will be built, in reference to the launch year of the original 5 Turbo,\u00a0and deliveries will begin\u00a0in the first half of 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":62002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62001\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}