Another cult icon of the 1980s is about to be reborn with a new twist that’s growing a little old: electrification. At the end of Anatomy of a Comeback, a documentary series on Amazon Prime Video, there’s an exclusive reveal of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. While the model may look like it’s still in the concept stage, Renault has confirmed this is no concept: it’s a production model.
Renault
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The Renault 5 Turbo 3E will come with more than 500 horsepower
Renault is playing the specifics of the Turbo 3E close to the chest, but the end of the documentary does give a little information about the upcoming model. First and foremost, the Turbo 3E will feature two electric motors attached to the rear wheels. Together, they’re expected to generate over 500 horsepower, pushing the Turbo 3E to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
The Turbo 3E’s design is a nod to the 5 Turbo that became an icon in rally racing during the 1980s. The production model’s press photos feature a yellow-and-black livery, a reference to the colors Renault race cars wore in the ‘80s. Large rear fenders, a squared-off front end, and a large diffuser beneath the spoilers are just a few of the design choices that scream performance.
Renault
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, though. The automaker unveiled a concept car with the same name at the 2022 Paris Motor Show featuring a large rear wing and an intense yellow-and-purple color combination.
High-powered electric vehicles aren’t anything new, but there also aren’t many hot hatches that have undergone the electric treatment. The Mini Cooper SE electric offers 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The Abarth 600e can hit 60 mph in as little as 5.9 seconds, and the 500e follows its sibling with a time of 7.0 seconds.
If you want to make the argument, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, while technically a crossover, is deceptive at first glance given its hatchback styling inside and out. The all-wheel drive model can launch to 60 mph in as little as 4.5 seconds while the more powerful Ioniq 5 N version shaves more than a second off the AWD model, hitting 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
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Renault is coming to the USA, but the Turbo 3E isn’t
There’s just one problem, at least for hot hatch enthusiasts: Renault doesn’t sell vehicles in the United States right now. That means we won’t see the Renault 5 Turbo 3E in all of its glory on our shores, plain and simple.
There is a glimmer of hope we’ll see something similar, though. Back in June 2023, Renault announced that its Alpine brand was set to enter the United States market in 2027. So far, it seems Alpine plans to lead its expansion into the United States with vehicles Americans love: crossovers and SUVs.
Renault
As of 2023, Alpine had a midsize electric crossover and a large electric SUV on its docket. Considering Americans’ love for large vehicles, there’s little doubt those will be the first two models on the lineup. Alpine currently makes the A290, an electric hot hatch based on the Renault 5, but that model, among others, is likely to stick to European roadways.
Final thoughts
There’s a lot to unload here, starting with the return of the Renault 5. An electric hot hatch based on the rally racing icon of the 1980s sounds pretty slick, in my personal opinion. On top of that, the ever-so-slight chance we might possibly – maybe – see a version of Renault 5 enter the United States as the Alpine A290 has me looking forward to 2027. We don’t have enough hot hatches over here!
Renault
Then again, Alpine EVs are supposed to bring in higher revenue according to Renault, and the brand is expected to break even in 2026. If we do see the A290, it will likely be prohibitively expensive as a result. Unfortunate, but that’s just the state of the industry, I suppose.
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