Following on from news late last year that Renault would put a special high-powered reimagination of the original R5 Turbo into limited production with electric power, the French company has confirmed its full specification ahead of first customer deliveries in 2027.
Is it based on the regular electric Renault 5?
Not really; the 5 Turbo 3E - as it will be called - is built on a bespoke aluminium chassis with carbon-fibre bodywork. Where the normal Renault 5 has an electric motor up front to drive both wheels, the Turbo 3E has two electric motors, one in each of the rear wheels. And the Turbo 3E is a strict two-seater.
Admirably, Renault has managed to retain the 5's compact dimension, so the Turbo 3E is only 16cm longer at 4.08m and the wheelbase is only three centimetres longer. Nonetheless, the Turbo 3E is much wider, at 2.03m, and lower too, at 1.38m (the Renault 5 E-Tech electric's corresponding dimensions are 1.77m and 1.5m). Renault reckons it has created a totally new category, that of the “mini supercar”. Remarkably, on the outside of the car, only the door handles, door mirrors, rear lights and windscreen are carried over - and even then, the windscreen is chopped short so it's not the same component in the end.
The all-square stance gives the Turbo 3 E a dramatic appearance aligning it with the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 of the 1980s. The LED headlights and daytime running lights are shaped to mimic those of the original, as is the sculpting of the bonnet, though it's shaped with airflow and downforce in mind. Same story with the front bumper and splitter arrangement. Bulging box arches will appeal to fans of upright styling from the 1980s, and they're comprehensively filled by the bespoke 20-inch wheels.
Ahead of the rear wheels are two air scoops on either side of the car, the upper ones channelling air under the back lights for aerodynamic purposes. The lower inlets allow air in to cool the brakes, and the charging port is hidden within on the left side of the car. At the back, the unmistakable slope of the rear window calls to mind the original Turbo models, though the huge aerodynamic diffuser underneath brings the new one bang up to date.
And this one doesn't spit fire, I guess?
Sadly no, but buyers shouldn't feel too hard done by, as the 5 Turbo 3E promises to be the most powerful and most advanced road car Renault has ever made. Within each of the rear wheels is an electric motor. These can be individually controlled by the car's computer and when working flat out they produce a combined maximum of 540hp.
Astoundingly, Renault also says there's up to 4,800Nm of torque produced instantaneously, which makes the sub-3.5-second 0-100km/h time sound a little conservative, especially as the car's weight has been kept under 1,450kg.
However, that's the "wheel torque", a figure that isn't comparable to the torque outputs usually quoted from engines and electric motors, but in effect it means the Turbo 3E has about twice as much torque at the wheels as the Alpine A290 has. Conversely, the peak power figure of 540hp is actual "wheel horsepower" with no losses, so that's equivalent to a higher quoted engine/motor power in most cars. For example, the Alpine A290 has a 218hp motor, which at best means about 200hp at the wheels.
No doubt off-the-line acceleration is limited by traction, but Alpine's engineers quietly told us they are hoping to bring the car down to 1,400kg and, with the use of advanced software, the 0-100km/h time closer to three seconds. Maximum speed of the Turbo 3E is 270km/h, which Renault helpfully says is only to be done on a racetrack.
Hang on, this will be road legal?!
Oh yes, it even gets Renault's OpenR infotainment system using a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a full suite of connected services. It will be a two-seat cabin featuring lots of carbon fibre, and the bucket seats get six-point harnesses, but tactile Alcantara trim should prevent it feeling bare inside.
Saying that, the rally-style vertical handbrake stands out, as does the painted roll cage holding up the webbing into which you can pack your helmets... Nonetheless, there's decent boot space behind all that.
It even comes with a useful electric range. Under the cabin is a 70kWh battery, expected to result in a WLTP-ratified range between charges of 400km. Or a few very fast laps of your favourite circuit no doubt. Renault says it should be able to manage two flat-out laps of the Nürburgring and it also hinted at aiming for a record attempt of some sort there.
Even so, recharging is admirably quick, with 11kW AC capability (that's bidirectional as well for V2L/V2G functionality) and up to 350kW charging on suitable DC outlets thanks to the 800-volt electrical architecture. Renault says a 15-80 per cent charge can take as little as 15 minutes and the whole car has been designed to be used all day on track with 20-minute charging sessions after every 20 minutes or so of fast driving.
You can't mention a rally handbrake without telling us more...
Ah yes. It's not just for show, either, as the 5 Turbo 3E gets a drift-assist function. Though there's no Alpine badging on the car, its development has been handed over to the division's engineers, so expect more than a little rally inspiration in the finished product.
We do know there will be a overtake button on the steering wheel to release maximum performance for short bursts, the driver will be able to select from four different levels of brake energy regeneration and Renault's usual Multi-Sense system will feature four distinct driving modes called Snow, Regular, Sport and Race. Within that race setting is where you access the drift-assist function, which itself will have three levels to choose from.
Where do I sign?
Have your credit card at the ready, as the order books open in the next few days and you better be quick as just 1,980 examples of the 5 Turbo 3E will be produced (1980 is the year the original Renault 5 Turbo was launched). We don't have a clue how much it will cost, but “a lot” is likely to cover it. At a guess, not far off €200,000.
Buyers will get a chance to customise their cars to their liking though, including choosing a favourite livery. The distinctive 'Rouge Grenade' red of the original production car will be available, as will the yellow, white and black racing livery of the “Tour de Corse 1982” rally car shown here. We're hoping there's a blue, white and red option recalling the great Jean Ragnotti's racer as well. In fact, buyers will have the option - for a price - to work with Renault's designers to create a bespoke finish for the exterior and interior. Tough choices to be making if you're ordering one, though not as difficult as waiting until 2027 for first deliveries.
