Le coin des experts
But what could have happened to the management of Renault? A few years ago, the diamond brand did not hesitate to do a few crazy things, especially with its Renault Sport branch. We could mention, among others, the R5 Turbo, R8 Gordini, R8 Gordini, Renault Spider, Clio V6, Renault RS 01 and much more! But since the suspension of the sports branch in favor of Alpine, Renault seemed to rather be heading for a 100% electric future by focusing on city cars and SUVs as standard. It seems that the brand likes to surprise us, which reveals a car straight out of video games: the R5 Turbo 3E.
No, this R5 Turbo 3E is not a dream! A concept car, presented in September 2022, already prefigures the production model, which is a bit different but true to the stated philosophy. The car has the same features as its predecessor with an ever wider body, a 100% electric engine and more than 380 horsepower. The concept maintains the Turbo name despite the absence of the latter and is adorned with somewhat exuberant aerodynamic elements. This concept car was created for the 40th anniversary of the R5 Turbo 2, and has a very particular function, drifting. The entire model is designed for this discipline, with special slick tires, specially designed aerodynamics and a few aesthetic gadgets that make sense at each session. At the time, we had no idea that this concept would really come to life.
On March 17, 2025, Renault officially presented its R5 Turbo 3E, in its serial version, limited to only 1980 units! The surprise is total, on the one hand because this R5 Turbo 3E is a real monster, and on the other hand because it is presented under the Renault badge, and not Alpine. But everything is explained, because the presence of the R5 Turbo 3E is no coincidence. Above all, its Renault badge is a direct tribute to the R5 Turbo 2, which was already produced by Renault at the time. There's even the RS logo on it for a little nod to the late sports division. Then, the question of the profitability of this model arises. Designing this R5 Turbo 3E from scratch for only 1980 copies probably does not fully cover design and development expenses. But despite being badged Renault, the R5 Turbo 3E is a real technological laboratory for the brand's future models, but also for those from Alpine. The Alpine Dream Garage will therefore be able to benefit from the latter's advances.
In short, let's stop chatting and take a closer look at what this Renault UFO offers us. Compared to its concept, this production model is not that far apart and maintains the majority of its elements. Apart from the gigantic spoiler and the useless gadgets for a road model, the philosophy remains the same. This “mini-supercar” is anything but discreet, and far from the R5 E-tech, from which it only uses a few elements, namely the lights, mirrors, door handles and windshield. For the rest, it is respectively longer, wider and lower by 16cm, 26cm and 11cm. The wheelbase is also gaining in length with 2.57m, for a much more impressive overall appearance, at least in its proximity. At the front, the Turbo 3E adopts a square light signature reminiscent of the R5, as well as three air intakes on the radiator grill like its predecessor.
The 20” rims are particularly designed for aerodynamics, with a removable cover improving brake cooling if necessary. On the sides, two large air intakes are directed directly to the rear of the car, on the one hand to press it to the ground, and on the other hand to cool the braking system and the engine. On the left side, Renault cleverly hides the charging hatch in the upper air intake, which is therefore removable for the occasion. At the rear, the R5 Turbo 3E doesn't cut corners. Two slightly disproportionate diffusers are positioned at the back of the wheels and give it that bodybuilt look, helped by very wide hips in the manner of its predecessor.
And while visually, this R5 Turbo 3E is not here to laugh, its performances are no less impressive. On the program, a rear-wheel drive platform powered by two engines directly located in the wheels, developing a total of 540 horsepower. In terms of power, that's good. And the couple then? Well, future owners will have no less than 4,800 Nm of torque under the pedal. Yes, 4,800. In comparison, a 2,300 horsepower Koenigsegg Gemera has a maximum of 3,500 Nm, and the most powerful Volvo truck in existence, 3,800 Nm. We obviously hope that the tires developed for this R5 Turbo 3E will survive such a surge of power! The 0 to 100 km/h is completed in under 3.5 seconds, and the maximum speed is 270 km/h. All this is well helped by a contained weight of only 1,450 kg, which is relatively low for an electric car of this power. For those who would like to take the plunge, you will have to pay the modest sum of 160,000€, at least. A high price certainly, but that does not stop fans. After all, it's not every day that Renault offers us such a model!
Certaines histoires paraissent parfois invraisemblables. Une chose est sûre, l’histoire de DeLorean en est un parfait exemple, à tel point que Martin Scorsese aurait pu la porter à l’écran. De ses débuts dans la vie active avec ses premiers postes chez General Motors, à la fermeture de son entreprise tout récemment créée, John Z. Delorean a brillé tant par son génie que par son étonnant caractère. Son histoire et celle de sa marque, peu connues dans leurs détails, méritent de s’y attarder quelque peu. Un retour en arrière s’impose pour prendre la mesure d’une histoire pour le moins… hors du commun.
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