If there’s one announcement that took us by surprise, it’s the comeback of the Renault 5 Turbo at the end of 2024!
Following the success of the R5 (refer to our review), its high-octane variant is making a comeback in a fully electric format, boasting an impressive 500 horsepower in a pure rear-wheel drive setup!
The Electric Return of the R5 Turbo 3E!
Details about the specifications are still under wraps, but Luca de Meo has initiated the green light for producing this little powerhouse under the Renault brand, rather than Alpine, as some might have guessed.
An acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds is all that we know about this beast’s performance, which also features ultra-wide tracks, massive wheels, and a streamlined silhouette that sets it apart from the classic R5.
The front end retains the design of the original R5’s lights, whereas the electric R5 took inspiration from the Super 5. However, our Turbo 3E reprises the LED lights on the grille, blending neo-retro style without forgetting modernity.
The rear is purely inspired by the original R5 Turbo, with its XXL fenders, ultra-wide wheels, an oversized diffuser, and even a double spoiler to firmly plant the vehicle on its tires. It also carries the style and the launch color of the electric R5 – yellow, of course!
Traditionalists might soon be up in arms, especially since the term Turbo
feels a bit misused on an electric model – but after all, Porsche did the same with the Taycan. Still, the brand promises supercar-level performance, thanks notably to a 100% carbon structure to offset the weight of the batteries, whose capacity remains unknown.
Expected Availability in 2026?
Many details remain uncertain, starting with the release date (possibly 2026?), with the presentation scheduled for sometime in 2025. There’s also no clue about the price yet; the original R5 Turbo was sold for 115,000 francs back in 1980 (approximately €17,500 today). Considering the current inflation in car prices, we’re likely looking at €50,000 to €60,000… or perhaps even more.
We’re certainly eager to learn more! The Alpine A290 already wowed us during track tests, so just imagine what it could be like with twice the power…
To find out more, Renault invites you to watch Anatomy of a Comeback
, a mini-series airing on Prime Video, dedicated to the return of the R5. Meanwhile, you can also get your hands on a scale model…