Renault opens 5 Turbo 3E reservations: 540 CV of retro madness for €155,000

Renault has unleashed its retrofuturistic electric beast on the arena: the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. And it has done so like someone launching a rocket into space… or an arrow of 540 CV straight into the heart of nostalgics with good taste and plenty of, plenty of money.

Yes, we are talking about the return of a myth. But this is no ordinary revival. This is not a tribute. This is a resurrection with an 80s flavour, designed to devour corners with the same fury as a Turbo 2 fresh from the 1982 Tour de Corse… but in silence, and with cutting-edge software.

Mini in size, supercar in dynamics

Measuring 4.08 metres long and 2.03 metres wide, the new Turbo 3E is a road car with the looks of a prototype and the soul of a rally car. The layout is simple but wild: two motors on the rear wheels, 540 horsepower, 4,800 Nm of torque delivered instantly, 1,450 kg and a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in under 3.5 seconds. All of this powered by a 70 kWh battery and an 800-volt architecture that charges from 15 to 80% in just 15 minutes.

Range? More than 400 km on the WLTP cycle, but let’s be honest: you don’t buy this car to take a Madrid-Valencia trip. You buy it to show off, roar around urban circuits, and leave others red-faced while drifting with Jean Ragnotti’s moustache tattooed on your heart.

1,980 units… and you could be one of the chosen few (if you have €50,000 to “reserve”)

Renault has devised a purchasing process as exclusive as the car: if you want one of the 1,980 numbered examples, you must put down a deposit of €50,000. Then, if you wish, you can pay the rest — a modest €155,000 for the first 500 brave souls — when the time comes to place your order, around 2027. Because yes, this is going to be slow-cooked, like everything worth having (and requiring bespoke carbon fibre).

And if you thought money was the only thing that mattered, wait: you will also be able to choose your car’s serial number. Because few things say “this car is unique” like being able to pick the number of your unit in a limited edition that only a few will have.

Do you want yours in garnet red, or would you prefer the Tour de Corse livery?

From 2026, buyers will be able to unleash their gentleman driver side and configure every last aesthetic detail of their Turbo 3E. Colours, materials, upholstery… you can even sit down with the designers of Renault to create a unit to your taste. Because if you are going to spend the equivalent of a flat on a large toy car, you had better make sure it is your perfect toy.

This model is not a rash whim. Behind it are the finest minds in the Renault group. Alpine develops it, Dieppe manufactures it, Ampere provides the software and Mobilize adds all those electric extras that sound futuristic: bidirectional charging, Plug&Charge, connected services… basically, an iPhone of almost 2 tonnes with rear wheels that squeal.

See you at Goodwood

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E already has its seduction tour planned. First, it will visit the Renault Hubs in Madrid, Paris, Berlin and other capitals of automotive posturing. Then we will see it in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, from 10 to 13 July. Because if you are going to present a 540 CV electric mini supercar, it is better to do so surrounded by smoke, petrol (someone else’s) and applause.

Renault 5 Turbo 3E image gallery