Renault isn’t just reviving a nameplate: it’s unleashing a whole new category of performance with the all-electric 5 Turbo 3E. Inspired by the original Turbo and Turbo 2 models of the early ’80s, this new machine is anything but retro for nostalgia’s sake. It’s compact, absurdly powerful, drift-ready, and built from the ground up to thrill. In Renault’s own words, it’s a “beast of a car built for rallying, drift and track performance, adapted for the road.”
With 540 horsepower from in-wheel motors, a sub-3.5 second 0–100 km/h sprint, and 800-volt fast charging, the Turbo 3E doesn’t just pay tribute to its iconic predecessors—it one-ups them. The goal? Create an entirely new class of vehicle: the mini-supercar.
From Rally Icon to Electric Showstopper
The original Renault 5 Turbo broke ground in the 1980s, mixing turbocharged power with hatchback proportions and rally pedigree. The Turbo 3E takes that DNA and injects it with electrons—and attitude. Built on a custom rear-wheel-drive electric platform co-developed with Alpine, it features a carbon fiber body, rear in-wheel motors, and wild aerodynamic touches that scream performance.
It’s still a two-door, two-seat hot hatch at heart, but one that’s 4.08 meters long and 2.03 meters wide — supercar width in a city car footprint. That gives it a length-to-width ratio of 2.01, right in line with exotic track weapons.
540 HP, 800-Volt Architecture, and Real Supercar Speed
At its core, the Turbo 3E delivers numbers usually reserved for hypercars. Two 200 kW motors (one per rear wheel) produce a combined 540 hp and 4,800 Nm of torque — enough to launch it to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds and up to a 270 km/h top speed on the track.
Its 800-volt electrical architecture allows for DC fast charging up to 350 kW. That means 15% to 80% battery in just 15 minutes, perfect for hot laps or a quick charge between stints. The 70 kWh battery provides up to 400 km of WLTP-estimated range, and an 11 kW AC charger handles overnight top-ups in about eight hours.
Drifting, Charging, and Customizing, This Car Does It All
The Turbo 3E isn’t just fast—it’s playful. It features a rally-style vertical handbrake, dedicated drift mode with drift assist, and four driving modes: Snow, Regular, Sport, and Race. A boost button on the steering wheel adds instant punch for overtakes or straight-line drama.
Inside, it’s all about sport and tech. Think carbon bucket seats, six-point harnesses, and twin OpenR screens showing everything from drift telemetry to Google Maps. You can even fine-tune regen braking across four levels.
And personalization is built into the concept. Customers can configure both interior and exterior styling — choosing from historic liveries like the 1982 Tour de Corse yellow, white, and black scheme, or go wild with more modern, gentleman-racer finishes.
Limited to 1,980 Numbered Units
To honor the original 1980 debut of the R5 Turbo, Renault will build exactly 1,980 units of the Turbo 3E. Each one will be numbered, and buyers will get to choose their own. Launch markets include Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. Reservations open in the coming weeks.
This is more than a showpiece. The Turbo 3E represents the boldest expression yet of Renault’s “Renaulution” — bringing performance, emotion, and innovation to the EV era. In a world of cautious electrification, this is a car that leads with joy.