Just months after the debut of the Alpine A290 GT, Renault is reportedly considering an even more extreme version of the new Renault 5 E-Tech under the iconic 5 Turbo badge. The move would follow the brand’s earlier tease of an electric super hatch concept, the 5 Turbo 3E, which was designed as a modern nod to the Group B rally era.
Renault insiders have hinted at an internal push to turn the wild 5 Turbo 3E concept into a production reality. Auto Express reports that this high-performance model could feature a bespoke spaceframe chassis and come with a steep price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker tempered expectations by stating that the project was “not high on our priority list right now,” he left the door open, noting, “We always have ideas, every designer has his dream cars in his drawers.”
The potential for a road-going 5 Turbo 3E isn’t new. In late 2022, Renault CEO Luca de Meo hinted at the feasibility of the project, but acknowledged that budget constraints were a significant hurdle. “We don’t have deep, deep pockets,” de Meo said at the time.
The 5 Turbo 3E concept, revealed as a tribute to Renault’s rally heritage, packed 375 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque from dual electric motors, powered by a 42 kWh battery. Weighing in at just 980 kg (2,160 lbs), the concept could sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds, combining lightweight design with electrifying power.
With Renault’s success in launching retro-themed EVs like the 4 E-Tech and 5 E-Tech, a production version of the 5 Turbo 3E could serve as a high-performance halo model, adding to the brand’s growing EV portfolio.
Source: Auto Express
