Manufacturing Renault 5 Turbo 3E ‘Mini-Supercar’ Has In-Wheel Motors With 536 HP, Weighs Underneath 3,200 Kilos

On the finish of final yr Renault confirmed off its electrical 5 Turbo 3E, a wild-looking prototype evocative of the outdated mid-engined 5 Turbo and Group B rally automobiles. 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 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 automobile, which appeared kinda ludicrous, however now the manufacturing 5 Turbo 3E has been revealed and it seems similar to the present automobile.

Renault has additionally taken the wraps off the 5 Turbo 3E’s two-seat inside and divulged all kinds of juicy specs and efficiency info, which completely again up the French model’s supercar claims. The 5 Turbo 3E would be the second manufacturing automobile to make use of in-wheel motors — after the ill-fated Lordstown Endurance — and it will be much more widespread than you is perhaps anticipating. Renault is constructing 1,980 of the 5 Turbo 3E, with order books opening in a couple of weeks and deliveries set to start out in 2027. There will likely be a whole lot extra 5 Turbo 3Es on this planet than Ferrari F40s, 841 extra of those Renaults than Bugattis with the W16 engine. That guidelines.

Man, does this factor look freakin’ superior. Nothing concerning 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 novel physique with ridiculously huge fenders impressed by the Nineteen Eighties 5 Turbo. Its headlights are extra retro than the conventional 5, virtually an identical in look to the ’80s automobile, and the dramatic bumper and skid skirt designs make it appear like a Cyberpunk Group B automobile. Parts just like the rear fender intakes and big diffuser are practical, 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 an alternative of sharing the 5 E-Tech’s Renault-Nissan AmpR Small structure. The 70-kWh battery pack (18 kWh greater than the A290) is underneath the ground for a low heart of gravity and so the suspension engineers to “absolutely develop their concepts for actual driving thrills,” and the automobile’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.

As was the unique Renault 5 Turbo, the 3E is rear-wheel drive in distinction to the front-wheel-drive format of the conventional 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 can be mentioned to ship much more instant energy than a traditional motor. Renault says the Turbo 3E makes 536 horsepower (268 hp per motor), which provides the automobile a power-to-weight ratio of about 6 kilos per hp, and it will be capable to dash from 0 to 62 mph in underneath 3.5 seconds, faster than a 992 Carrera. An overtake button on the steering wheel offers an influence increase, and there are 4 totally different regenerative braking modes, together with a Race setting.

Renault says the Turbo 3E could have a spread of round 250 miles on the European WLTP cycle, in the identical realm because the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and because of an 800-volt structure it has 350-kW DC fast-charging functionality, which may juice the battery up from 15 to 80 p.c in fifteen minutes. Utilizing the onboard 11-kW charger it will take about eight hours to totally cost at house. The Turbo 3E will be capable to full “a number of” scorching laps earlier than needing to recharge, even if you happen to attain the automobile’s 168-mph high velocity. It will even have bi-directional charging and plug-and-charge performance.

In case you’ve pushed a Renault 5 Turbo in actual life (or a online game like me), or have simply learn opinions or watched outdated rally YouTube movies, you understand the French scorching hatch was recognized for being very tail-happy. I imply, a mid-engined rear-wheel-drive automobile with a curb weigh of lower than 2,200 kilos and 160 hp from an engine with an enormous turbocharger will try 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 automobile incorporates 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 house. And as you may see from the picture above, the Turbo 3E additionally has a rally-style vertical handbrake, which is a uncommon sight in any road-going automobile, not to mention an EV. 

The inside is sort of completely distinct from the conventional 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 lined 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 virtually no space for storing. 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 conventional street automobile.

Renault

Bear in mind how I talked concerning the packaging advantages of in-wheel motors and the customized platform? One other massive profit is in cargo house, which the Turbo 3E has a ton of. The traditional Renault 5 is a very tiny automobile, 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 outdated 5 Turbo that had an engine taking on many of the cargo house, the Turbo 3E has a large expanse of open house, even making an allowance for the bolted-on roll bar. 

In case you’ve been studying by means of this story and might’t imagine this factor is actual, I will reiterate it for you: In a couple of weeks Renault will likely be opening up order books for the 5 Turbo 3E in “key markets” like Australia, Europe, Japan and the Center East, with deliveries to start out in 2027. Renault says that “as privileged companions, the sellers who reserve the automobile will take part in its pre-financing, in line with the ‘upfront funding’ precept,” which I assume means Renault will try to combat markups.

Only one,980 of those will likely be constructed, a tribute to the yr the 5 Turbo got here out, and never solely will every one be numbered, however clients will be capable to decide which quantity they need. The Turbo 3E will likely be supplied with a bunch of heritage coloration and livery schemes, just like the red-and-blue Rouge Grenade from the unique 5 Turbo, however you may additionally be capable to select from all kinds 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 will likely be, however I’ve a sense it will be quite a bit.

Renault

Renault

Renault

Renault