THE RENAULT 5 TURBO 3E IS ONE OF THE BEST ARGUMENTS FOR EVS YET. DAAAAMN!
Renault is diving deep into its back catalog and emerging with something truly special: the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. This all-electric homage to the legendary Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 of the 1980s isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a full-throttle, drift-happy reimagination of one of France’s most iconic hot hatches. Back in the day, the Renault 5 Turbo was the first French car to rock a turbocharged petrol engine, bringing F1-inspired tech to the streets. Now, the Turbo 3E takes that same spirit and catapults it into the EV era, packing outrageous styling, insane performance, and a level of agility that should make even the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N nervous. Renault didn’t just slap a few nostalgic design cues onto an existing EV - this thing is purpose-built. The silhouette echoes the original, but the execution is pure 21st century, complete with a wider stance, massive fender flares, and an aggressive aerodynamic package. The squared-off headlights, oversized rear wing, and vents upon vents serve both form and function, optimizing airflow and downforce. At the rear, the iconic boxy lights meet a dramatic aerodynamic splitter and diffuser setup, ensuring it looks just as wild from behind as it does from the front. Underpinning the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a brand-new aluminum platform developed by Alpine’s engineering wizards, designed specifically for high-performance EVs. The car features rear-wheel drive, with twin in-wheel electric motors delivering an earth-shattering 4,800 Nm of torque. No, that’s not a typo. That’s the kind of torque that’ll turn tires into vapor. Thanks to instant power delivery and clever torque vectoring, the driving experience should be nothing short of exhilarating. “Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a fantastic opportunity for Alpine to demonstrate its expertise in engineering, architecture and the development of electric sports cars, all designed to enhance the driving experience. To meet the very ambitious specifications of this ‘restomod’ inaugurating the mini-supercar category, and to equip it with the most modern and innovative technologies, we have spared no expense, developing a specific platform and the world premiere of these 540-horsepower in-wheels motors enabling a 0-100 km/h time of around 3 seconds. The chassis has been calibrated to reproduce the same agile sensations as before, and to put driving pleasure above all else.” Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine brand and CTO of Renault Group.
Despite its electric underpinnings, Renault has kept the ethos of a proper hot hatch intact. The car weighs just 1,450 kg - including its 70 kWh battery - resulting in a blistering power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg/hp, putting it squarely in supercar territory. Expect a 0-100 km/h time of under 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 270 km/h. And if you’re more about slides than straight-line speed, there’s even a dedicated drift mode and a rally-style vertical handbrake for the full hoonigan experience. With an 800V electrical architecture, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is built for rapid charging. Plug it into a DC fast charger, and you’ll get from 15% to 80% in just 15 minutes - about as long as it takes to cool down after a few hot laps. On a full charge, Renault claims over 400 km of range, though let’s be honest, no one’s driving this thing conservatively. Inside, it’s all about the fusion of motorsport function and French flair. Bucket seats with six-point harnesses, Alcantara-lined surfaces, and carbon fiber trim make it clear this is a driver-focused machine. The digital interface offers multiple drive modes - Snow, Regular, Sport, and Race - each tweaking power delivery, regen braking, and handling dynamics. And for those moments when you just need a little extra shove, a button on the steering wheel unleashes an extra jolt of power on demand. Renault knows that nostalgia is a powerful thing, so they’re offering a variety of liveries inspired by the OG Renault 5 Turbo models, including the classic “Tour de Corse 1982” yellow, white, and black rally scheme. But if you want something a little more modern, an extensive personalization program will let buyers create their own unique colour and trim combinations. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is more than just a throwback - it’s a properly engineered, high-performance EV with an attitude problem in all the right ways. Whether you’re a die-hard Renault 5 fan or just someone who appreciates an electric car that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this thing is shaping up to be one of the most exciting EVs to hit the market.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, you’ve got company.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows Top Gear Editor-in-Chief, Jack Rix, takes a close look at the best argument for EVs yet, the reincarnated Renault 5 Turbo: FIRST LOOK: Renault 5 Turbo 3E – Mad 540hp, RWD ‘Mini-Supercar’ | Top Gear
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe butto