Revamped Retro Racing: Introducing the Renault 5 Turbo 3E
Updated Retro Racing Icon: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Showcases Fuller Facial Features
Gear up for a modern spin on a iconic car, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E! Revealed at Renault's plant in Flins-sur-Seine, Paris, this electric powerhouse carries the coveted Turbo name, promising muscle, speed, and a substantial price tag, with details to be unveiled in April.
Back in the 80s, the original Renault 5 Turbo rocked the automotive world with its turbocharged gasoline engine and puffed-up rear wheel arches. But get ready to be blown away by its electric counterpart!
This electric horsepack featuring an impressive 540 PS powertrain and 4800 Nm of torque, is efficiency personified. Accelerating from 0-100 km/h in an astonishing less than 3.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 270 km/h on the track, this electric racer will give drivers the adrenaline rush they’ve been craving[1].
While claims suggest a projected everyday use range of 400 km, full throttle in racing conditions means energy might last just a few laps[1]. Official performance stats are yet to be verified, but a virtual preview of the vehicle's body and interior has been shown. Excited investors can reserve their spot from April, with deliveries scheduled for 2027[1].
So, how much will it cost? Chief designer, Sandeep Bhambra, hints at a competitive price-performance ratio for the supercar, with a potential starting price below €100,000[1]. Despite the high asking price, it’s a competitive deal compared to the price of an original R5 Turbo, fetching around €170,000[1].
Nostalgic Nostalgia, Modified for the Future
One good look at the Renault 5 Turbo 3E reveals its classic roots. Slender rectangles in the small front, despite the massive side skirts, give it an old-school, slightly pinched expression, and the side and rear lights bear a striking resemblance. Renault refers to this design as "confidently retro-futuristic"[1].
The rear, however, is significantly enlarged, reminiscent of an expressive comic book drawing of the old Turbo. It's fitting for a racing behemoth that's not designed for your average grocery shopping in Hamburg or Cologne[1].
Research Lab and Dream Machine
For Renault, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is not just a collectible item for deep-pocketed enthusiasts, but a valuable research lab for future technologies. It'll be the first to use an 800-volt architecture, promising ultra-fast charging. With a direct current charging power of 350 kW, the battery can be charged from 15 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes[1].
Practical, Usable, and Agile – The Perfect Triad
Joining the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Alpine A290, and the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, Renault is bringing back the successful trio of the 1980s (Renault 5, Renault 5 Alpine, and Renault 5 Turbo)[1]. Practical, everyday usable, and fit for professional sports, this spectacular triad is Renault's formula for electric world domination[1].
Developed on a new, specially created rear-wheel-drive platform, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E boasts striking dimensions – length 4.08 m, width 2.03 m, and height 1.38 m. Despite its city car-like length and super sports car-like width ratio of 2:1, you can bet this electric racer will turn heads on the road[1].
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Weighing approximately 1450 kilograms, Renault plans to reduce this to around 1400 kilos for the production model.[1] The car, including the 70-kWh battery, will be compatible with AC charging, with a standard 11 kW on-board charger capable of fully charging from 0 to 100 percent in around eight hours[1].
First glimpses of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E have left both young and old in awe. Nostalgia or originality – whatever the reason, expectations for this retro powerhouse are through the roof[1]. As CEO Luca de Meo put it, he had a good nose for realizing this vehicle. As they say, taking a look back to go full speed ahead!
Sources:1. ntv.de, Daniel Killy, sp-x
- Renault models
- Classic cars
- French car manufacturers
- The Renault 5 Turbo 3E, a French car manufacturer's newest offering, boasts a turbocharged electric powertrain and is reminiscent of the classic 80s model, making it an exciting blend of nostalgia and modern technology.
- Kultauto enthusiasts might be intrigued to learn that the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, despite its high performance, could migrate from the race segment to everyday use, offering an everyday range of 400 km with its impressive 800-volt architecture.
- The Renault 5 Turbo 3E, with its powerful 540 PS engine and striking design, promises to be a dream machine for collectors, blurring the line between practicality and adrenaline-fueled racing experience, all while offering a competitive price-performance ratio under €100,000.
