Renault has confirmed that it will put a new 5 Turbo into production as a rear-wheel drive, 500bhp electric hot hatch. Meet the all-new Renault 5 Turbo 3E, is a car whose makers hope that it will become a new French performance icon for the electric era.
Like the original R5 Turbo, the new R5 Turbo 3E is a rear-wheel drive experience only, the hot hatch is set to be produced in a ‘limited series’, and likely accompanied by a very high price. The EV combined 500 all-electric horsepower to the ground for an experience. Renault promises it will have ‘performance worthy of a supercar’ with a 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds.
We have to wait for the more detailed specs of the latest hot hatch, as the automaker has not revealed much. The release itself provides limited information about the car and seems to serve as a marketing strategy to promote its upcoming Amazon Prime Video documentary, Anatomy of a Comeback. The documentary will tell the story of how Renault Group managed to turn itself around and overcome a crisis that surpassed anything previously experienced in the automotive sector.
During a press release Renault said:
In a world first, Renault uses the documentary to reveal a new production vehicle. Right at the end of the fourth episode is an Easter egg. Viewers follow Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, Fabrice Cambolive, CEO Renault brand, and Gilles Vidal, VP of Renault Design, on a visit to the Design Department to see the future Renault 5 Turbo 3E, confirmed by Luca de Meo as an upcoming production model. Forty-four years after the launch of the first Renault 5 Turbo, Renault is set to wow enthusiasts with the revival of this ultimate sporting icon.
Like the original, the new Turbo version is quite distinct from the standard Renault 5 hatchback. The new model features a wider body and a carbon ‘superstructure,’ making it unique. It’s expected that very little, if anything, will be shared between the two versions. Additionally, the car’s charging socket is cleverly integrated into one of the rear air scoops.
