Renault's Electric 5 Turbo 3E Draws 850 Orders in First Week
1min read Renault, a leading French automaker, has announced that its newly launched limited-edition electric vehicle, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, has received 850 orders within its first week of release. Despite its high starting price of 15.5 million euros (approximately 17.6 million dollars), the vehicle has attracted significant interest from customers. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a modern reinterpretation of the classic 1980s fuel-powered hatchback, the R5 Turbo, originally designed for rally racing.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is planned to be produced in a limited run of 1,980 units, each equipped with 555 horsepower. The vehicle retains the iconic body structure and rear wing design of the R5 Turbo, while also boasting advanced driving modes that enhance its handling and responsiveness. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 167 miles per hour (approximately 269 kilometers per hour). This impressive performance is achieved through the use of two in-wheel electric motors mounted on the rear wheels, a technology that Renault is employing in a production vehicle for the first time.
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is powered by a 70 kWh battery pack that supports charging at up to 350 kW, allowing the vehicle to charge from 15% to 80% in just 15 minutes. The car's body is constructed from carbon fiber, keeping the overall weight at 1,450 kilograms. In-wheel motors, integrated into the wheels of an electric vehicle, offer several advantages. They eliminate the need for a driveshaft and transmission system, freeing up interior space, improving power delivery, and extending battery range due to reduced vehicle weight. Renault has partnered with Protean, a British in-wheel motor technology company, to supply the motors for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E.
Since opening pre-orders on April 22, Renault has received 850 orders for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, primarily from markets in Europe, Japan, the Middle East, and Australia. To secure their purchase, customers are required to pay a deposit of 50,000 euros and wait until 2027, when the vehicle is expected to begin delivery from Renault's Alpine factory in Dieppe, France.
The launch of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E comes at a time when European automakers are grappling with escalating trade tensions. The high demand for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, despite its premium price point, underscores the growing interest in electric vehicles and the potential for high-performance electric sports cars. The success of this limited-edition model could pave the way for future electric vehicle offerings from Renault, as the company continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving automotive landscape.
