Renault 5 Turbo 3E: This Electric Hot Hatch is INSANE!

Renault is moving forward with an exciting new addition to its lineup, the production version of the 5 Turbo 3E. After unveiling the concept in late 2024, the company has now finalized the design, keeping it almost identical to the prototype. The most noticeable change is the addition of the RS logo just behind the B-pillars. Unlike the standard Renault 5, which features rear doors and five seats, the 5 Turbo 3E sticks to a two-door, two-seat layout. Another major difference is its drivetrain, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels rather than the front.

Inspired by the original Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, this widebody performance machine sits on enormous 20-inch wheels. Its aggressively flared rear fenders house two in-wheel motors, each producing 268 horsepower, for a combined output of 536 horsepower. Torque figures are staggering, listed at 3,540 pound-feet, though this likely represents wheel torque rather than motor torque, similar to how GMC and Tesla have reported figures for the Hummer EV and Roadster. In reality, the true torque output should be closer to 10 percent of the claimed number.

The 5 Turbo 3E delivers serious performance, accelerating from zero to 62 miles per hour in approximately three seconds and reaching a top speed of 168 miles per hour. While it is built for high performance, Renault has ensured that the electric hot hatch retains a practical driving range. Thanks to a 70-kilowatt-hour battery pack, it can travel up to 249 miles on a single charge under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure cycle.

Despite its larger size and more powerful battery compared to the standard Renault 5, the 5 Turbo 3E keeps its weight impressively low at 3,197 pounds. That is roughly the same as the base model fitted with a 52-kilowatt-hour battery. Renault achieved this by making extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the body and interior. Additionally, removing the rear doors and seats contributed to weight savings. Engineers are still working on reducing the weight even further before production begins.

Beyond its striking design, the 5 Turbo 3E benefits from cutting-edge technology, featuring an 800-volt electrical system. This allows it to support ultra-fast charging at up to 350 kilowatts, a significant improvement over the standard Renault 5’s 100-kilowatt limit. Under ideal conditions, the battery can charge from 15 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.

While the Renault 5 already has a sportier variant in the Alpine A290, the 5 Turbo 3E is an entirely different beast. The inclusion of a rally-style vertical handbrake lever signals its motorsport-inspired nature. The interior is fitted with Alcantara upholstery, a full roll cage, and bucket seats with six-point harnesses, reinforcing its race-ready appeal.

Renault will open order books in the coming weeks, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for 2027. The company has not disclosed pricing details yet, but given its exclusivity and high-performance capabilities, it is expected to carry a six-figure price tag. Only 1,980 units will be produced as a tribute to the original Renault 5 Turbo, which debuted in 1980. The 5 Turbo 3E will be sold in Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia.