Ivan Vicario Martin
Who would have said it, The Renault 5 Turbo returns and does so with a more than worthy reinterpretation of what the original model was. In this way, the diamond firm completes the range of its new R5, which recently won the Car of the Year award in Spain granted by the newspaper ABCThe so-called Renault 5 Turbo 3E will possibly go into production in 2026.
44 years ago the Renault 5 Turbo original, a model that was conceived to homologate a competition version of the R5 as Group 4. Later, it was also homologated as Group BWith its central engine and rear-wheel drive, it had little to do with the road car. It immediately became an icon for its numerous victories in competition, receiving the nickname “Fat Ass” due to its subsequent widening.
Now, Renault is bringing back that legacy with the Turbo 3E, developed on the new R5 that is having such a good reception. It should be remembered that, at the 2022 Chantilly Concours d'Elegance, A first prototype of this model developed by Ligier has already been presented with the help of driver Yvan Muller, World Touring Car Champion in 2008.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE NEW RENAULT 5 TURBO 3E
From Renault, the first thing that is clarified is that the model is still electric, That is, there is no turbo anywhere.. This name has become synonymous with sportiness, a strategy that Porsche implemented with its Taycan Turbo and Turbo S. In any case, it is not simply a prototype with striking aesthetics and more electric power.
It has a carbon fiber superstructure to ensure maximum rigidity and reduce weight, an essential combination for any self-respecting sports car. In addition, like the model it is based on, the new Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be rear-wheel drive thanks to two electric motors, each housed in one of the rear wheels.
La Total power of the set will be more than 500 hp, far surpassing what the 5 R1980 Turbo offered even in racing versions. The performance, therefore, will be heart-stopping. As an example, a button: it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3,5 seconds, faster than a Ferrari F50.
WHY TURBO E3?
The new 5 Turbo has been presented dressed in the historic colours of Renault in competition, yellow, black and white. Also, as we see, It sports the wild flare characteristic of the original car, especially striking at the rear. At the moment, all the technical details have not yet been revealed, although it has been confirmed that it will go into production, most likely in two years.
The last doubt that remains to be resolved is the one concerning the name. The name Turbo 3 serves to integrate it into the mythical saga, as a continuation of the Turbo 1 and Turbo 2. For its part, the E refers to the fact that we are looking at an electric version or E-Tech, according to the name used by the French firm for this technology.
Without a doubt, Renault has scored a big goal with this new R5 Turbo 3E, a brand that has decided facing the future inspired by its glorious past.
