Renault’s striking 5 Turbo 3E concept is entering production in 2026 as a neo-retro “ultimate hot hatch”, according to the firm.
It will be trick too, riding on a bespoke platform and employing in-wheel motor technology.
Production of the last Renault 5 Turbo ended in 1984. The reprised version will have three times as much poke, making it the most powerful production car in Renault history.
Renault product boss, Bruno Vanel, promised Autocar UK that the 5 Turbo 3E will deliver an “outstanding driving sensation, something completely unexpected”. He added that it is “agile like nothing else” as a result of its innovative drivetrain.
The concept upon which the production car is based first aired back in 2022 when power of 279kW was promised. However, the production version will have almost 100kW more (373kW), thanks to two in-wheel electric motors.
These motors mean that each wheel can essentially “do what they want” said Vanel. The in-wheel technology is evidently the product of British specialist Protean Electric. It means no electronic differential is needed, nor the type of simulated ‘manual’ gearshift as used on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Renault suggests a 0 to 100km/h time of under 3.5sec. Vanel described its performance as “breathtaking”.
The Turbo is loosely based on the standard R5 but it will have its own carbon-composite body. Evidently only the windscreen angle is shared between the two. The production car will share the long dash-to-axle ratio of the concept (front wheels set well forward of the windscreen).
The bodywork has aero efficiency and cooling as top priorities. A substantial rear spoiler and diffuser will carry over from the concept, along with flared wheel arches. Side air intakes are needed to cool the in-wheel motors that drive the rear wheels.
The concept car featured three drift modes, one giving the ability to do doughnuts. It also had a manual handbrake which will likely be retained for production.
CEO, Luca de Meo, evidently told the design team to “make me a little beast”. The positive reaction to the concept car helped push it towards production.
Expect it to be a limited run and pricing will be up there, estimated to be around $NZ220k here. That’s because of the amount of unique content, amongst other things.
Alpine will likely be involved in the car’s development. The R5 T may even be made at that firm’s Dieppe factory.
