There aren’t many cars that generate excitement before the interior is even revealed, but the Renault 5 Turbo 3E might be one of them. Three years after its initial concept launch at the 2022 Paris Motorshow, this anticipated hyper-hatchback, a modern electric version of the iconic Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, has been partially unveiled.
At a brand-hosted event near Renault headquarters in Paris, the exterior of the new hot hatch was revealed for the first time outside of renderings. As has become common with EV concepts, the production version looks as audacious as expected, featuring the striking yellow and black livery reminiscent of the 1982 Renault 5 Turbo rally model.
Renault claims this is its most powerful and advanced car to date, even calling it the world’s first electric mini-supercar. The inspiration from its namesake is clear, with prominent bumper and rear wing extensions. However, it also borrows elements from the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, including the rear lights and wing mirrors. Different from the E-Tech, though, the Turbo 5 3E is exclusively rear-wheel drive and is built on a new platform that moves the windscreen back and extends the wheelbase, giving it the width of a supercar in the length of a city car.
The car utilizes rear in-wheel motors that, according to Renault, will bring the Turbo 5 3E’s performance in line with supercars like the Ferrari Roma and McLaren Artura. These motors deliver immediate torque to the car’s 20-inch wheels, without any lag. The result is a car that promises both speed and a thrilling drifting experience.
The specifications are impressive: 540 hp, a maximum speed of 168 mph, and 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds, all aided by a lightweight, carbon fiber body. Renault says the 5 Turbo 3E will support DC fast charging up to 350 kW with an 800-volt architecture. With the right charger, this would allow it to charge from 15 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.
Notably, the interior of the EV was not shown at the event. Renault promises that it will match the exuberance of the exterior, with bucket seats, six-point harnesses, and a rally-style vertical handbrake. Buyers will allegedly be able to work with Renault’s designers to customize the interior according to their preferences, along with a range of exterior colors.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is slated for a 2027 launch, with preorders set to open in the coming weeks. Only 1,980 individually numbered units will be available, a nod to the year the original Turbo was released.
Official pricing hasn’t been announced, but estimates suggest a starting price around £130,000 (approximately $168,000), with extensive customization options potentially increasing the price to £200,000 ($260,000). This pricing puts it in Aston Martin territory, and even higher than the McLaren Artura.
This means that if all 1,980 units of the 5 Turbo 3E are sold, potentially before the interior is revealed to prospective owners, this “mini-supercar” could generate over $500 million in revenue for the automaker.
