renault 5 turbo 3E comes out as electric reboot of a mini supercar

mini supercar renault 5 turbo goes electric with model 3E

Renault 5 Turbo 3E comes out as an electric reboot, paying homage to the 1980s model of the mini supercar. The team draws its design from the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. It has elements from the Renault 5 E-Tech electric as well, such as rear lights and wing mirrors. Built on a new platform, the electric mini supercar Renault 5 Turbo 3E features a rear-wheel-drive architecture. Compared to the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the team extends its wheelbase and positions the windscreen further back. The vehicle ‘has the length of a city car for the width of a supercar.’

The windscreen pillar integrates into the front wheels for a streamlined look. The front maintains the layout of its predecessors, with square headlights, a slim central strip, and additional square LED lights replacing long-range lights. The aerodynamic splitter at the front bumper and the large air outlet on the bonnet improve downforce. Side intakes in the bumper direct air ahead of the wheels, while scoops on the rear wings manage airflow under the lights. Lower scoops cool the brakes, and the left scoop conceals the charging hatch.

all images courtesy of Renault

Layout inspiration from the original 5 Turbo and Turbo 2

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E features a ‘specific surround’ that extends from the windscreen pillars along the cabin roofline. It merges into the rear spoiler, referencing the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2. An aerodynamic splitter runs between the rear lights. Then, a diffuser below the bumper improves efficiency with its outward-extending design. The car is a 2-door, 2-seater with 20-inch wheels housed under wing extensions, each containing an electric motor. Power electronics are positioned between the wheels, and the battery is placed under the floor. This layout lowers the center of gravity and allows for additional boot space.

The company says it is an uncommon feature in an electric mini supercar like the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. Stepping inside, the vehicle has bucket seats made of lightweight carbon components. The design team uses Alcantara for the seats and dashboard, while they place a rally-style vertical handbrake. The driver interface includes 10.1-inch and 10.25-inch OpenR screens. They display driving, navigation, and multimedia information. Overall, the layout takes inspiration from the original Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 dashboards.

Renault 5 Turbo 3E comes out as an electric reboot of the 1980s mini supercar

Custom seats, dashboard, door panels, center console and more

The electric mini supercar Renault 5 Turbo 3E offers a selection of exterior and interior color options. These include designs inspired by the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, such as Rouge Grenade from the production models and the yellow, white, and black racing livery of the Tour de Corse 1982 rally car. Additional contemporary and ‘gentleman driver’ livery options are also available. Customers can even personalize the Renault electric mini supercar’s exterior livery and interior trim, including seats, dashboard, door panels, and center console.

The goal of the Renault electric mini supercar is to revive the heritage of the 1980s models. It follows the retro-futuristic design approach seen in the Renault 5 and Renault 4, now reimagined as electric models. The model is set to be available in key markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia. There’s a limited production run of 1,980 units to pay tribute to the year the original Renault 5 Turbo debuted. Each vehicle is individually numbered, and customers have the option to select their preferred number at the time of purchase. Reservations are set to open in the coming weeks, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2027.

the team draws the design of the Renault electric mini supercar from 5 Turbo and Turbo 2