Renault 5 Turbo 3E: The Electric Hot Hatch That’s Faster Than Your Wildest ’80s Rally Dreams

Remember the screech of turbo spool and sideways slides from the Group B era? The Renault 5 Turbo was the pocket rocket that made it all happen, and now – in a plot twist straight out of a time machine – it’s back as the 3E, an electric firecracker that’s equal parts nostalgia trip and future shock. I caught wind of this beast during its Corsica debut at the Historical Tour de Corse on October 9, 2025, where it ripped stages like Notre Dame de la Serra with the grace of Jean Ragnotti’s ’85 Maxi Turbo win. Alpine’s wizards at Renault have bottled that rally spirit in a 555-hp EV shell, and honestly, after poring over the specs, it feels like cheating – 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h? In a retro shell? Let’s unpack why this “mini-supercar” has me revved for a production run that screams limited-edition gold.

Power Punch: 555 HP From Wheels, Not Wasted Heat

Forget the original’s howling five-cylinder – the 3E’s dual rear motors (one per wheel) unleash 555 hp (410 kW) and a wheelie-inducing 3,540 lb-ft equivalent torque, all from a 70 kWh floor-mounted pack on an 800V spine. It’s rear-drive purity, zapping 0-100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds – quicker than some supercars twice the price – with instant shove that’d make Group B grin. Top speed? Capped at 200 km/h for sanity, but the real magic’s in the delivery: No turbo lag, just seamless surge for rally-style drifts on loose gravel.

Alpine’s fingerprints are everywhere – this isn’t a battery barge; it’s tuned for torque vectoring that flicks through hairpins like the old Turbo 2. Weighing under 1,450 kg thanks to a carbon fiber tub and aluminum bits, it’s featherlight for the fury. And efficiency? WLTP claims 250+ miles (400 km) – practical enough for a daily driver, wild enough for weekends.

Charge Like a Champ: 15 Minutes to Rally-Ready

Range anxiety? Laughable here – the 3E sips electrons for that 250-mile real-world leg, but the 330 kW DC peak means 15-80% in ~15 minutes, adding 150 miles during a pit espresso. It’s 800V fast without the fireworks, pulling steady from 15% up – perfect for Corsica’s backroads or a hypothetical Euro tour. AC at home? 11 kW overnight for full beans. Renault’s whispering PHEV vibes for production, but pure EV keeps it light and lithe.

Design Drama: Retro Rage Meets Futuristic Flair

Visually? It’s the ’80s poster child reborn – boxy fenders, pop-up lamps (LED now), and wide arches screaming rally roots, but with a carbon lid and vented hood for that EV chill. The interior’s a cockpit of Alcantara and screens, with digital gauges nodding to the Turbo’s gauges. Only 1,980 units planned – a sly wink to the 1980 debut – means exclusivity that’ll rival low-run specials like the Lancia Pu+Ra Montecarlo.

Driven by rally vet Julien Saunier on Montegrosso’s dust, it slid like the originals but stuck harder – a tribute to Ragnotti’s ’85 Corsica crown that feels alive, not archived.

Why It Feels Like Cheating: The Turbo Legacy Reloaded

The original 5 Turbo was a homologation hero – 400 units to race, birthing legends like the Maxi. The 3E? It’s that fever dream electrified: Supercar stats in hot hatch clothes, blending rally romance with EV edge. Renault’s not saying production yet (it’s a “study”), but whispers point to 2027 runs at €100K+ – a steal for the sizzle.

This isn’t just fast; it’s fun – the kind of EV that makes you forget the plug. Turbo 3E or bust? Your rally rally cry below – and if electric icons rev you, scout our Mini Cooper SE John Cooper Works test. Full send!

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