Renault Unveils Limited-Edition R5 Turbo 3E: 1,980 Units to Honour 1980 Original

Renault has announced that its highly anticipated R5 Turbo 3E electric sports car will be limited to just 1,980 units, a nod to the year the original Renault 5 Turbo was launched. Each vehicle will be individually numbered, and customers will have the option to select their preferred number when placing their orders. The French automaker plans to open order books in the coming weeks, with initial deliveries expected in the first half of 2027.

First unveiled as a concept at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the R5 Turbo 3E marks a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. The car combines a battery-electric powertrain with a retro-futuristic design, maintaining visual cues from its predecessors while incorporating contemporary technology. One such homage is the charging port, located within the rear air intakes, reminiscent of the original Turbo.

According to Renault, the R5 Turbo 3E will measure 4080 mm in length, making it 160 mm longer than the R5 E-Tech. The windshield has been pushed back to accommodate an extended wheelbase, increasing from 2540 to 2570 mm. The vehicle's width is set at 2030 mm, and it stands at 1380 mm in height.

Performance specifications reveal the R5 Turbo 3E's sporting credentials. It is powered by two rear-wheel hub motors delivering a combined output of over 536 bhp, propelling the car from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.5 seconds. The top speed reaches 270 kmph on the racetrack. A dedicated button on the steering wheel offers a temporary power boost for overtaking, while another allows drivers to adjust the regenerative braking effect across four stages. Additionally, four driving modes — Snow, Regular, Sport, and Race — are available, with the Race mode featuring a drift assist function.

Renault has also disclosed details about the car's battery and charging system. The R5 Turbo 3E will house a 70 kWh lithium-ion battery and adopt an 800-volt architecture, a first for the brand. This technology enables ultra-fast charging of up to 350 kW, allowing the battery to recharge from 15 to 80 per cent in approximately 15 minutes. Renault has yet to release official figures on range and energy consumption.

Development of the R5 Turbo 3E was not carried out by Renault alone. The project benefited from the expertise of Alpine, Renault’s sister brand known for developing high-performance vehicles. The R5 Turbo 3E will form part of a model family alongside the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, designed as a city car, and the Alpine A290, positioned as a sportier urban model.