It looks like Renault is pretty hooked on tickling the nostalgia of automotive enthusiasts with an eco-conscious twist. First, there was the Renault 5 Prototype EV that gave the OG Renault 5 an electric heart. Then came the Renault R5 Turbo 3E, an all-electric race car that you couldn’t buy. Well, now you can—sort of.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is heading to showrooms in 2027, and reservations open in the next few weeks for a limited run of 1,980 units—all numbered because, you know, it ain’t exclusive if ain’t got a number. The edition number is a nod to the birth year of the OG Renault 5 Turbo, but you probably already caught that.
This isn’t just a Renault 5 with an EV badge slapped on. It’s a 540-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, carbon-fiber-bodied mini-supercar built for rallying, drifting, and track thrills. It may only be 4.08 meters (160.6 inches) long, but at 2.03 meters (79.9 inches) wide, it has the stance of a proper supercar. It also packs a 70 kWh battery good for 400 km (249 miles) of range, and when it’s running low, DC fast charging at 350 kW will take it from 15 to 80% in just 15 minutes.
And yes, it’s fast. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3.5 seconds, with 4,800 Nm of torque from in-wheel motors that make sure it stays fast. The Drift Assist mode will even help you get it sideways like a pro.
It’s still years away, but given its specs and the fact that it’s a street-legal, all-electric take on a rally legend, it’s worth keeping an eye on. Just be ready to act fast when pre-orders drop—because if you blink, they might all be gone. Also, I need to remind you that reservations should be opening soon. Oh, words are that it will not be available across the pond. Bummer.
Images: Renault [UK].
