--- title: "The Renault 5 Turbo Will Return as a 500-HP Production EV" date: "2024-12-13" modified: "2024-12-13" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-renault-5-turbo-will-return-as-a-500-hp-production-ev" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" tags: - "Electric Cars" - "EVs" - "Performance Car News" - "Renault 5 Turbo" --- # The Renault 5 Turbo Will Return as a 500-HP Production EV ![Renault 5 Turbo 3E EV]() *\Renault\* The Renault R5 Turbo is back! Well, sort of. The new Turbo 3E is still a [wild, rear-wheel-drive hot hatchback]() with way more personality than one could reasonably expect to fit into such a small package. What's changed, then? Well, among other things, this one's electric. It's also built on a carbon superstructure to save weight, and packs a whopping 500 horsepower thanks to a dual (yes, dual) rear-motor setup. A rear-wheel-drive hot hatch that can do 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds? We're listening. And yes—Renault says it's destined for production. ![]() ![]() ![]() The R5 Turbo "3E" (It's the third car to bear the name; the "E" is for "Evolution") will sit at the top of the new all-electric 5's performance range, with the standard (and admittedly stylish) [Renault 5 EV]() doing the bulk of the heavy lifting. We called the 5 a "production-ready concept" when it was first shown in 2021; sure enough, the [real thing]() looks exactly like it. The standard Renault 5 EV slots beneath the compact Scenic E-Tech (also a hatchback) and the Megane E-Tech (nominally a compact crossover, but suspiciously hatch-like in proportions). As you can see below, the standard R5 embraces the bubbly city car aesthetic that defines many small European offerings, like the Mini Cooper and [Fiat 500](). ![]() **Renault** The R5 Turbo 3E, on the other hand, leans hard into aggression. From some angles, you need to look closely to see the cuddly little commuter hiding beneath this ripped exterior. The massive wide body fenders, rocker extensions, and air diverters at all four corners alone go a long way toward erasing much of the standard Renault 5's cutesy curb appeal. It's over the top in a very '80s way, but still looks thoroughly modern. Given that we're dealing with an EV, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the giant air intakes on the rear flanks are merely for show. One of them will house a charging port for the R5 Turbo 3E; of the other three, we expect one will simply be blocked off, while the other two will likely channel air to the rear brakes and through the massive rear under-body diffuser. Sticking that much body work into the wind for no gain would be a particularly foolish extravagance in a car where every hit to the aero profile means losing precious range. ![]() **Renault** We have zero expectations for this car coming stateside, so don't hold your breath, but we can at least cross our fingers that its influence will spawn more fun hot hatches. *Got tips? Send ’em to [tips@thedrive.com]()* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()