The spirit of 1980s rallying has roared back to life, yet this time it’s propelled by a silent, electric force. Renault‘s new 5 Turbo 3E is far more than a nostalgic reboot of the iconic R5 Turbo and Turbo 2; it is a profound piece of automotive engineering and design that establishes a wholly new class: the electric ‘mini-supercar.’ Developed by the experts at Alpine, this audacious vehicle was recently put through its paces in Corsica ahead of the Historic Tour de Corse rally, confirming its extreme agility and breathtaking performance capabilities. This is a compact, high-performance machine built specifically for driving thrills and spectacular drifting, translating pure sporting spirit into the electric vehicle era.
At just 4.08 metres long, but a pronounced 2.03 metres wide, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E boasts proportions that are aggressive and instantly convey its supercar intent. Beneath its muscular, wide-body shell lies a bespoke architecture featuring a stiff, lightweight aluminium platform optimized with carbon-fibre components. This attention to weight-saving, including an all-carbon superstructure that weighs under 100 kilograms, results in an overall mass of just 1,450 kg—a crucial factor in its dynamic behaviour and excellent power-to-weight ratio. The design language is a clever blend of retro-futurism, nodding to its heritage with square headlights and chunky fenders while embracing a cutting-edge, ultra-sporty profile.
The technology packed into the rear axle is arguably the 3E’s most significant innovation. Rather than a traditional setup, the car uses mighty in-wheel motors at the rear, developing a total of kW, or 555 hp, and a colossal, instantly available torque of 4,800 Nm. This dual motor setup allows the wheels to be controlled separately for optimised agility and extreme drift-ready dynamics, a true homage to its rally ancestry. The result is brutal acceleration: a sprint from 0-100 kph in under 3.5 seconds. For track enthusiasts, a rally-style vertical handbrake is included, underscoring its focus on pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.
Beyond the raw power, the electric specifications are just as advanced. The 800V architecture is paired with a 70 kWh battery, offering an estimated WLTP range of over 400 km. Critically for a car designed for both road and track, it features an onboard DC charger capable of handling up to 330 kW, allowing for a rapid 15 to 80% charge in just 15 minutes. This technical capability ensures the Turbo 3E is not just a showpiece, but a genuinely usable, zero-emission performance car, moving the segment forward with exceptional utility.
The prototype’s recent demonstration runs in Corsica—the spiritual home of the original Turbo’s sporting triumphs—were symbolic, sporting liveries that celebrated the 1985 victory of the Maxi 5 Turbo driven by Jean Ragnotti. This blend of heritage and modernity has ignited huge excitement. Even before initial deliveries, reservations for the limited-edition run of 1,980 numbered examples—a tribute to the original’s launch year—have seen overwhelming demand, despite a starting price from €160,000.
For those securing one of the exclusive models, the next phase offers unprecedented personalisation. From early 2026, customers will be able to immerse themselves in a bespoke art and design process, selecting historic colours like Rouge Grenade or even meeting Renault’s designers to create a completely unique exterior livery and interior trim, choosing colours and materials for the seats, dashboard, and door panels. Set for delivery from 2027, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a statement: it’s an emotional, high-voltage icon that successfully merges past design legend with future electric vehicle technology.