Rarely does an upcoming electric car generate as much genuine excitement as the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. Channeling the wild spirit of the original 1980s Group B rally icon, this 533bhp all-electric tribute delivers not just raw power but razor-sharp agility and modern tech miracles.
At the heart of the 3E are two electric motors nestled inside the rear wheels a rare and clever choice that maximises power delivery and control. These in-wheel motors generate a jaw-dropping combined torque of 4,800Nm, allowing for instant throttle response and precision torque vectoring. This tech enables the 3E to do “enormous on-demand skids,” a nod to its drift-ready rally roots.
Weighing a lightweight 1,450kg thanks to a carbon fibre superstructure and riding on an Alpine-tuned aluminium chassis, the Turbo 3E combines strength and agility. Its dimensions 4.08 meters long and an aggressive 2.03 meters wide put it in supercar territory, with that broad stance translating into exceptional road holding.
Performance numbers impress as well: a 0-62 mph sprint in under 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph on track, wrapped in a package that also offers a WLTP range north of 248 miles from a 70 kWh battery. The battery architecture supports ultra-fast charging, hitting 15%-80% in just 15 minutes on a 350 kW charger.
Driving modes shift the character from plush comfort to wild rally aggression. Race mode with drift assist and a rally-style handbrake make it an electric throwback that revels in sideways antics. On the inside, it's pure race-inspired luxury with carbon fiber details, bucket seats, six-point harnesses, and digital displays styled as an homage to the original R5 Turbo cockpit.
Renault has captured the turbo spirit through power and an all-encompassing driving experience. The Turbo 3E is proof that electrification and extreme driving enthusiasm not only coexist but can turbocharge each other for thrills rarely seen in mainstream EVs.
This is the electric car for those craving nostalgia and innovation, speed and attitude the kind of fearless, fun-focused machine. Renault is raising the bar with the 5 Turbo 3E, and by the sound of it, the 2025 launch can’t come soon enough.
