Renault 5 Turbo 3E: The French Pocket Rocket with Supercar Performance
By Team Dailyrevs March 18, 2025
Renault 5 Turbo 3E: Where Rally Heritage Meets Electric Power
Back in the 1980s, the Renault 5 Turbo made waves as a mid-engined, turbocharged hot hatch that could embarrass much bigger machines on rally stages. Fast forward to today, and Renault has plugged that spirit straight into the future. The new Renault 5 Turbo 3E is fully electric, rear-wheel drive, and unapologetically wild.
Looking Back: The Original Renault 5 Turbo
Launched in 1978, the Renault 5 Turbo wasn’t your everyday hatchback. Renault moved the engine to the back, slapped on a turbo, and sent it out to battle in the WRC, where it quickly built a reputation for being fast, unpredictable, and thrilling. The Turbo 2 followed with some tweaks, but both models became cult favorites for their rowdy handling and motorsport pedigree.
The Turbo 3E: Built for More Than Just Looks
The Turbo 3E might carry the visual DNA of its ancestors—those wide arches, squat stance, and rally-bred silhouette—but it’s something else under the skin. Carbon fiber replaces steel, electric motors replace the turbo four-pot, and the result is a machine built to handle serious abuse on track or at a drift event.
Styling: Classic Lines with a Modern Twist
At a glance, the Turbo 3E feels familiar—boxy and aggressive, like the rally cars of old. But look closer and you’ll spot the carbon fiber panels, aero tweaks, and playful nods to modern design. The square LEDs and bold rear wing add a futuristic flair without forgetting where this car came from.
Performance: Small Package, Big Attitude
Twin electric motors send power to the rear wheels, and thanks to its lightweight construction, the Turbo 3E delivers proper sports car performance. It’s sharp, fast, and playful, just like the original. But now, you’ve also got instant torque and that electric whoosh that feels more sci-fi than rally stage.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Dual rear in-wheel motors (total: 540 hp / 535 hp) |
| Torque | 4,800 Nm at the wheels |
| Platform | Bespoke aluminum chassis + carbon fiber bodywork |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Under 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | Not officially quoted, but expected > 200 km/h |
| Battery | 70 kWh, underfloor mounted |
| Charging | 800V fast charging (15% to 80% in ~15 min @ 350 kW) |
| Weight | Approx. 1,450 kg (3,200 lbs) |
| Drive Modes | Snow, Regular, Sport, Race, Drift-Assist |
| Production Run | Limited to 1,980 units worldwide |
Inside: No Nonsense, All Business
Step inside and it’s all function over fluff. Racing buckets, harnesses, and a proper roll cage set the tone, but there’s also a pair of digital displays to keep things modern. And yes, Renault threw in a drift mode and a vertical handbrake—because sliding sideways is part of this car’s DNA.
The Takeaway
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E doesn’t just cash in on nostalgia. It’s a sharp, fun-to-drive electric machine that respects its rally roots without getting stuck in them. A proper evolution of the original—louder in presence, quieter in sound.