Renault Showcases R5 Turbo 3E Prototypes in the Sidelines of the Tour de Corse Historique

• The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a modern version of the R5 Turbo and Turbo 2 from the 1980s.

• Driver Julien Saulnier demonstrates the capabilities of this electric sports car before taking part in the race with a classic Maxi 5 Turbo.

• The Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be available for purchase in select markets starting at 160,000 euros.

Unveiled seven months ago, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is showing what it’s capable of in the periphery of the Tour de Corse Historique, a classic car race which is currently taking place on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

As its name suggests, the R5 Turbo 3E is a modern and even more powerful version of the emblematic R5 Turbo and Turbo 2 from the 1980s.

Unlike its predecessors, this small sports car does not have a mid-engine, but rather an all-electric powertrain. The configuration of this powertrain is not conventional, however, as it benefits from wheel-hub motors at the rear.

According to Renault, this technical solution allows for an even faster delivery of power and torque than with traditional electric motors mounted in the car’s chassis.

Exclusively rear-wheel drive, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E has 555 horsepower and 3,540 lb-ft of torque. The hub motors also make it possible to better control the power distribution from one side of the car to the other.

Although it shares its name and general appearance with the new electric Renault 5, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E benefits from its own aluminum and carbon platform developed by Alpine, the performance brand of the Renault group.

This lightweight platform combines with an all-carbon superstructure to give the car a total weight of less than 1,450 kilograms (3,196 pounds), improving its road handling and allowing for an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds.

In addition to its performance, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E can boast a range of over 400 kilometers according to the WLTP standard and the ability to fast-charge from 15 to 80% in just 15 minutes thanks to an 800-volt electrical system.

The choice of the Tour de Corse Historique for this model’s track debut is not insignificant, as 2025 marks the fortieth anniversary of Jean Ragnotti’s victory at the 1985 Tour de Corse at the wheel of a Maxi 5 Turbo. The blue, white, and red livery of the R5 Turbo 3E participating in the retro event is also a tribute to the car once driven by Ragnotti.

At the wheel of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E on the roads of Corsica is Julien Saulnier, a Renault ambassador driver who himself won the last Tour de Corse Historique at the wheel of a Maxi 5 Turbo. He will try to defend his title this year driving the same model.

Considering its performance and appearance, it is surprising to learn that the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be offered for sale, but that is indeed the case.

Indeed, buyers in Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia will be able to get their hands on this electric “mini-supercar,” as its manufacturer calls it.

They’ll have to be wealthy, however, as the starting price for the production model will be set at 160,000 euros before accessories and customization fees. At the time of writing, this sum is equivalent to approximately 259,000 Canadian dollars.

Of course, at this price, customers will be able to personalize their car by choosing from several historical liveries recalling the exploits of the R5 Turbo and Turbo 2, a special livery created for the new model, or they can work with the manufacturer’s design team to create their own unique livery.

The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is a Classic Resurrected for the Modern Era

The interior trim can also be customized, and future owners can choose the unit number of their car, the production of which will be limited to 1980 units, another nod to the R5 Turbo, introduced in that year.

The order book has been open since April 2025, but buyers will have to wait until sometime in 2027 before they can take possession of their new vehicle.

Renault indicates that it received 500 reservations during the first three days of ordering alone, which bodes well for the commercial success of this small sports car.