On the finish of final 12 months Renault confirmed off its electrical 5 Turbo 3E, a wild-looking prototype evocative of the previous mid-engined 5 Turbo and Group B rally vehicles. Although it shares styling with the smash hit 5 E-Tech, the Turbo 3E is extra of a bespoke rear-wheel-drive EV that simply seems to be prefer it’s primarily based on the 5 — Renault describes it as a “mini-supercar,” which I feel is apt. Renault promised that the 5 Turbo 3E was going to develop into a manufacturing automotive, which appeared kinda ludicrous, however now the manufacturing 5 Turbo 3E has been revealed and it seems to be identical to the present automotive.
Renault has additionally taken the wraps off the 5 Turbo 3E’s two-seat inside and divulged all types of juicy specs and efficiency information, which completely again up the French model’s supercar claims. The 5 Turbo 3E would be the second manufacturing automotive to make use of in-wheel motors — after the ill-fated Lordstown Endurance — and it will be way more widespread than you may be anticipating. Renault is constructing 1,980 of the 5 Turbo 3E, with order books opening in a couple of weeks and deliveries set to begin in 2027. There can be tons of extra 5 Turbo 3Es on the planet than Ferrari F40s, 841 extra of those Renaults than Bugattis with the W16 engine. That guidelines.
Customized platform and fewer weight than a Cayman
Man, does this factor look freakin’ superior. Nothing in regards to the design has modified over the previous few months, which I am not complaining about. Although some particulars just like the taillights are shared with the fundamental Renault 5 E-Tech, the Turbo 3E has a singular physique with ridiculously large fenders impressed by the Nineteen Eighties 5 Turbo. Its headlights are extra retro than the traditional 5, nearly equivalent in look to the ’80s automotive, and the dramatic bumper and skid skirt designs make it seem like a Cyberpunk Group B automotive. Components just like the rear fender intakes and big diffuser are useful, too. Renault moved the windshield additional again and elevated the wheelbase by about an inch in comparison with the 5 E-Tech, and the Turbo 3E is about three inches longer, eight inches wider and 5 inches decrease in peak than the Alpine A290 model of the 5 E-Tech.
The Turbo 3E makes use of its personal specifically developed aluminum platform as a substitute of sharing the 5 E-Tech’s Renault-Nissan AmpR Small structure. The 70-kWh battery pack (18 kWh greater than the A290) is beneath the ground for a low heart of gravity and so the suspension engineers to “absolutely develop their concepts for actual driving thrills,” and the automotive’s superstructure is comprised of carbon fiber to maintain weight down. Renault says the 5 Turbo 3E weighs simply 3,127 kilos — 133 kilos lower than the A290, 100 kilos lower than a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
In-wheel motors and monitor functionality
As was the unique Renault 5 Turbo, the 3E is rear-wheel drive in distinction to the front-wheel-drive structure of the traditional 5 E-Tech. As an alternative of utilizing conventional electrical motors, the Turbo 3E makes use of in-wheel motors behind these 20-inch rear wheels which are stated to ship much more quick energy than a traditional motor. Renault says the Turbo 3E makes 536 horsepower (268 hp per motor), which provides the automotive a power-to-weight ratio of about 6 kilos per hp, and it will be capable to dash from 0 to 62 mph in beneath 3.5 seconds, faster than a 992 Carrera. An overtake button on the steering wheel supplies an influence enhance, and there are 4 totally different regenerative braking modes, together with a Race setting.
Renault says the Turbo 3E can have a spread of round 250 miles on the European WLTP cycle, in the identical realm because the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and due to an 800-volt structure it has 350-kW DC fast-charging functionality, which might juice the battery up from 15 to 80 % in fifteen minutes. Utilizing the onboard 11-kW charger it’s going to take about eight hours to totally cost at house. The Turbo 3E will be capable to full “a number of” sizzling laps earlier than needing to recharge, even should you attain the automotive’s 168-mph prime pace. It will even have bi-directional charging and plug-and-charge performance.
Constructed for drifting
If you happen to’ve pushed a Renault 5 Turbo in actual life (or a online game like me), or have simply learn critiques or watched previous rally YouTube movies, you recognize the French sizzling hatch was identified for being very tail-happy. I imply, a mid-engined rear-wheel-drive automotive with a curb weigh of lower than 2,200 kilos and 160 hp from an engine with an enormous turbocharger will do this. The brand new 5 Turbo 3E will proceed the mannequin’s drift-happy character, however hopefully with extra objective and management this time.
Renault
The automotive contains a drift-assist perform, although Renault would not give any specifics. Having separate management of the 2 rear motors is a boon for agility and efficiency, together with saving weight and area. And as you possibly can see from the picture above, the Turbo 3E additionally has a rally-style vertical handbrake, which is a uncommon sight in any road-going automotive, not to mention an EV.
Room for 2 and your stuff
The inside is nearly completely distinct from the traditional 5 E-Tech as nicely, solely sharing the oblong encompass that homes the recessed digital gauge cluster and extra distinguished touchscreen, which is angled on the driver. The Turbo 3E’s shelf-like dashboard, pared-down door panels and carbon-fiber racing bucket seats are coated in Alcantara that has a candy plaid sample. You continue to get a row of bodily local weather controls, although the tall heart console appears to have nearly no cupboard space. Renault additionally redesigned the infotainment system and gauges to have a extra retro look, however you continue to get all the identical Google Constructed-In system and different tech options as the traditional highway automotive.
Renault
Bear in mind how I talked in regards to the packaging advantages of in-wheel motors and the customized platform? One other huge profit is in cargo area, which the Turbo 3E has a ton of. The traditional Renault 5 is a extremely tiny automotive, and there is not a lot room behind the second row of seats (and even with the seats folded). The Turbo 3E is only a two-seater, and in contrast to the previous 5 Turbo that had an engine taking over many of the cargo area, the Turbo 3E has a large expanse of open area, even bearing in mind the bolted-on roll bar.
Renault’s actually gonna construct it
If you happen to’ve been studying by means of this story and may’t imagine this factor is actual, I am going to reiterate it for you: In a couple of weeks Renault can be opening up order books for the 5 Turbo 3E in “key markets” like Australia, Europe, Japan and the Center East, with deliveries to begin in 2027. Renault says that “as privileged companions, the sellers who reserve the automotive will take part in its pre-financing, in response to the ‘upfront funding’ precept,” which I assume means Renault will attempt to combat markups.
Only one,980 of those can be constructed, a tribute to the 12 months the 5 Turbo got here out, and never solely will each be numbered, however clients will be capable to choose which quantity they need. The Turbo 3E can be provided with a bunch of heritage colour and livery schemes, just like the red-and-blue Rouge Grenade from the unique 5 Turbo, however you will additionally be capable to select from all types of personalization choices for the inside and exterior and work with Renault’s designers in your dream spec. We do not but understand how costly the Renault 5 Turbo 3E can be, however I’ve a sense it’s going to be rather a lot.
Renault
Renault
Renault
Renault
