Renault 5 Turbo 3E: the "fat-bottomed" R5 is back in electric form!

It was an open secret: Renault was preparing a very special tribute to a true icon such as the Renault 5 to mark its 50th anniversary. And we are not talking about the future production version of the Renault 5 based on the R5 prototype, which has caused such a stir and which many are already eagerly awaiting.

In this case, the surprise comes with the R5 Turbo 3E, in memory of the sportier versions of the French supermini: the Renault 5 Turbo and the Turbo 2, popularly known as “fat-bottomed” for its distinctive design with a very prominent rear end.

Electric propulsion, 380 CV and ready for drifting

As you may have guessed, the R5 Turbo 3E does not feature a turbocharger as such, despite carrying this word in its name. Here, the engine is electric, mounted on the rear axle (like the turbocharged 4-cylinder of the original model), with the batteries fitted under the floor of a tubular chassis with FIA-homologated safety cages. Total weight is 980 kg, excluding the 520 kg of batteries.

The electric prototype’s power output is 280 kW (380 CV), with a maximum torque of 700 Nm. The battery has a capacity of 42 kWh, which, according to the manufacturer, provides sufficient range for what it was built for: drifting sessions or gymkhanas. To capture the action, it is equipped with twelve cameras strategically placed both outside and inside, designed to record the best footage during the action.

Its performance is astonishing: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 190 km/h. Its design is equally impressive, full of details that link it directly to the tribute model, such as the bonnet and the doors (here made of carbon fibre), the enormous air intakes on the rear wings, the square fog lights (in this case each with 16 LEDs) and the spectacular rear spoiler.

A video game car

The interior recreation is just as remarkable: bucket seats in carbon fibre, safety harness and steering wheel designed by the specialists at Sabelt, the vertical handbrake lever so characteristic of drift cars… Even the instrumentation draws inspiration from that of the Renault 5 Turbo 2, which had a cluster of ten gauges, and here uses ten digital screens as widgets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z80qCl5UKwE&feature=youtu.be

The interior décor uses touches of yellow and pink in contrast with the black cork floor and the Alcantara covering the dashboard and doors.

Although this is a real prototype, the R5 Turbo 3E will also have a virtual “double” to evolve in the world of video games. A collection of NFTs related to the car will also be offered. And the fashion brand La Fameuse has designed a range of clothing that will accompany the R5 Turbo 3E during its first public appearance at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance concours, before its presentation at the Paris Motor Show.

Renault 5 Turbo 3E – Image gallery