Renault 5 Turbo 3E: The French Pocket Rocket with Supercar Performance

By Team Dailyrevs  

Renault 5 Turbo 3E: The French Pocket Rocket with Supercar Performance

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.


CategoryDetails
PowertrainDual rear in-wheel motors (total: 540 hp / 535 hp)
Torque4,800 Nm at the wheels
PlatformBespoke aluminum chassis + carbon fiber bodywork
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)Under 3.5 seconds
Top SpeedNot officially quoted, but expected > 200 km/h
Battery70 kWh, underfloor mounted
Charging800V fast charging (15% to 80% in ~15 min @ 350 kW)
WeightApprox. 1,450 kg (3,200 lbs)
Drive ModesSnow, Regular, Sport, Race, Drift-Assist
Production RunLimited 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.


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