Renault’s insane 5 Turbo 3E electric hot hatch ships in 2027, limited to 1,980 units
Renault has released more information about its upcoming Renault 5 Turbo 3E electric rally car, and boy howdy, does it look hot as hell.
For background: auto enthusiasts look very fondly on the rally scene in the 1980s, when there was a serious arms race between auto manufacturers (particularly European ones) to make wilder and wilder race cars.
One of the most famous cars from that time period was the Renault 5 Turbo, with its iconic boxy design and chunky rear fenders which stood out even against other boxy cars of that age. It was based on the old Renault 5 hatchback, which recently got an electric rebirth of its own.
Calling on that history, Renault first showed off a 5 Turbo-inspired drift car concept back in 2022, but it was very clearly a concept – it didn’t really have an interior, for one.
Then, this last December, Renault came back and said no, really, we’re serious – we want to make this thing, and we want to put 540hp of electric power in it. At that time, it was just renders, but now Renault has a real prototype, and is putting plans in writing as to how it’s going to bring this crazy concept to market.
Today Renault unveiled what it’s calling “the first electric mini-supercar,” with lots of extra details on what looks like eye-watering performance in an actual sporty package (unlike so many of the giant electric SUVs we keep seeing these days…).
The biggest headline specs are these: 540hp (400kW), 3,196lbs (1,450kg), 160 inches (4,080mm) long, with a 0-60 time of <3.5 seconds and a top speed of 168mph (270km/h).
Heck. Yeah.
The power is delivered by dual motors – but rather than putting them inboard on the front and rear axles, like so many EVs do, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E uses in-wheel motors, with one in each rear wheel. So this thing is rear-wheel drive, just like the original 5 Turbo.
But unlike the original 5 Turbo, which topped out at around 163 lbft (220Nm) of torque (and only after you got it up to 3,250rpm first), Renault claims the 5 Turbo 3E’s motors are capable of an absurd 3,500lbft (4,800Nm) of torque (though that number is measured at the wheels, not at the driveshaft… because it doesn’t have a driveshaft, since it’s using in-wheel motors. So it’s not really directly comparable to other vehicles’ torque numbers).
All that torque on the rear wheels means one thing: this car will surely go sideways at will. But to make that job even easier, Renault offers a truly silly giant handbrake right smack in the middle of the car’s two front (and only) seats.
And if that wild dash and seat design doesn’t do it for you – Renault says it will offer basically unlimited customization to its customers.
Along with a long list of personalization options, many of which are inspired by famous versions of the original Renault 5 Turbo, Renault designers will help customers put together these options to make each vehicle unique.
But despite all this excitement, there’s one (or, more than a hundred thousand) big downsides: it’s not gonna be cheap. While Renault hasn’t listed a price yet, rumor is that it will start firmly in the six figure range, and potentially go up to around 200,000 (Dollars, Euros or Pounds – take your pick), depending on which personalizations you select.
But even more disappointingly: there’s no good reason for us to quote that price in dollars, because like every other fun thing it’s not coming to the US. Renault plans to offer it in “several key markets including Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Australia.”
And the last caveat: even with the money, it might be hard to get your hands on one of these. Renault will only sell 1,980 examples, referring back to the year that the original 5 Turbo was introduced. So, better get chummy with your local Renault rep, cause we can’t imagine those will last long.
Electrek’s Take
In a world where EVs (and cars in general) seem to just be getting bigger and bigger, heavier and heavier, this one is finally putting us back in the right direction.
Now, of course, it’s still quite a lot heavier (+~1,000lbs) than the 1980s version, and longer too (+~16 inches). Part of this is due to changing consumer tastes, part of it is due to stricter safety standards, and part of it is because companies aren’t pushing the envelope as hard as they were in the time of Group B rally cars. And then of course there’s the battery – a chonky 70kWh for ~250mi (~400km) of range, per WLTP standards (it will also have 350kW, 800V charging, taking 15 minutes to go from 15-80%).
But it’s also one of the first times we’ve seen an actual date associated with what looks like a truly violent electric hot hatch. Renault actually put out, in writing, that they plan to get this car to road in 2027 – unlike the Mercedes EQA concept, which turned into a freaking SUV; or the Golf GTI, which we’ve heard nothing about since 2023; or the Rally-inspired Rivian R3X, which looks awesome but we’ll have to wait until after the R2 comes out first.
There are some other extant cars that you might consider an electric hot hatch – like the Ioniq 5N – but that’s more than two feet longer and ~1,600lbs heavier than the 5 Turbo 3E claims it will be, so they’re really not in the same class at all. Closer to the same class is the Volvo EX30, at 7 inches longer, ~800lbs heavier, and ~120 less horsepower. Then there are the similarly-sized Mini Cooper SE, and even-smaller Fiat 500e Abarth, but both of those pack less than a third as much horsepower at comparable weights to the Renault.
So, with the specs we’ve seen, it’s in a class of its own – at least on paper, and at least for now. Your turn, Rivian – and the rest of the industry, too. Renault looks like they’re throwing down a gauntlet and showing us what can be done, but let’s stop seeing cancelled concepts and limited-edition prestige cars, and get some more fun, small, powerful EVs – and some of us would love to see them outside of Europe, too.
Charge your electric vehicle at home using rooftop solar panels. Find a reliable and competitively priced solar installer near you on EnergySage, for free. They have pre-vetted installers competing for your business, ensuring high-quality solutions and 20-30% savings. It’s free, with no sales calls until you choose an installer. Compare personalized solar quotes online and receive guidance from unbiased Energy Advisers. Get started here. – ad*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
In less than two weeks, Hyundai will unveil its “groundbreaking” new Pleos brand. The brand will introduce advanced new software and tech that will be used in upcoming Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. We will also get our first look at its new development platform. Here’s what we know about Hyundai Pleos so far.
What is Hyundai’s new Pleos brand?
“What if mobility had its own software?” Hyundai asked on Tuesday after teasing its new software-defined brand. The company promises Pleos will “redefine mobility,” but how exactly?
A few weeks ago, Hyundai announced it was holding a developer conference to capitalize on the auto industry’s shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
At the event on March 28, Hyundai will debut its new Pleos brand while showcasing its latest tech, including a new development platform, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous driving advancements. The new SDV tech will power upcoming Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis models, including EVs.
Hyundai describes Pleos as a symbol of its commitment to providing smart, sustainable mobility solutions. Designed to connect and integrate data, the brand will open the door for innovation and collaboration.
During the conference, we will also see Hyundai’s new software development kits (SDKs) and APIs for its next-gen infotainment systems for the first time. The event will feature an exhibition showcasing potential partnership opportunities.
With Kia launching its first electric van, the PV5, Hyundai Motor is quickly advancing new tech and software “set to redefine mobility.” The PV5 will kick off Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, a total mobility solution combining fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software.
Hyundai claims that “the future of seamless movement is no longer just an idea—it’s becoming reality” as it gears up to unveil its new mobility software brand, Pleos, on March 28.
With a flood of new EVs and tech on the way, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are preparing to shake things up in a big way over the next few years. Stay tuned for more on Hyundai’s software brand.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Young EV automaker Xiaomi Automotive continues to showcase that it is a force to be reckoned with in China. The automotive division of the massive electronics manufacturer Xiaomi Corporation recently hit 200,000 EV deliveries in record time. As such, the automaker has increased its delivery targets for 2025 as its second all-electric model looks to hit the market this summer.
Xiaomi Automobile is a name that refuses to be ignored in China and the global EV scene. The EV-centric business was spun out from smartphone and electronics manufacturer Xiaomi Corporation in 2021 and has been evolving at a staggering pace ever since.
The automaker launched its first model, the SU7, in March 2024 after faster-than-expected development. It quickly secured over 50,000 orders in the first 27 minutes and currently has a delivery wait time of at least 30 weeks.
In 2024, Xiaomi initially targeted the assembly of 60,000, but the SU7’s tremendous demand led the young automaker to bolster production to keep up. Shortly after the SU7 launch, Xiaomi shared that it had built 10,000 EVs in 32 days before bolstering its production lines in China, hoping to double its initial production and targets.
By mid-November, Xiaomi’s founder shared that the company had reached 100,000 EV builds earlier than expected and could reach 120,000 units before 2025 arrived. When 2024 ended, Xiaomi was reporting 135,000 SU7 deliveries with plans to double that figure in 2025.
Today, Xiaomi reported 200,000 EV deliveries and has once again pushed back its annual goalposts as its sales continue to snowball in China.
Xiaomi raises 2025 target to 350,000 deliveries
Xiaomi touted its latest milestone on Weibo today, noting 200,000 EV deliveries while showcasing the lucky couple who took delivery of their new SU7, seen in the featured image above. What’s most noteworthy about this news is that Xiaomi hit the 200,000 mark in a mere 119 days.
We thought it was fast when the Chinese EV automaker hit 100,000 deliveries in 230 days. Still, momentum continues to increase at Xiaomi HQ, even though the young automaker is only selling one EV model in three variants in addition to a 1,548 horsepower SU7 Ultra (seen above).
As an encore, Xiaomi has already introduced an all-electric SUV called the YU7, which debuted late last year and will compete against the Tesla Model Y in China when it hits the market his summer. With a fresh model on the way and continued demand for its growing lineup, Xiaomi has raised its targeted deliveries for 2025.
With its production facilities now complete in China, Xiaomi previously shared plans to achieve a full annual production capacity of 300,000 units this year. However, Xiaomi now says it is targeting 350,000 deliveries for 2025. Per its Weibo page, its production capacity increase is “progressing smoothly.”
From what we’ve seen from Xiaomi Auto thus far, everything has been smooth sailing. The company’s next milestone should be the official launch of the YU7 SUV, but who knows, it may hit 300,000 deliveries before then.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
This week, prominent Chinese EV automaker NIO and CATL, the world’s leading battery manufacturer, announced a new strategic partnership to combine and standardize their respective industries technologies and implement the “largest and most advanced battery swap network for passenger vehicles.”
When it comes to advanced battery technologies in China, both NIO and CATL are mainstays in the industry discourse. NIO has established itself as one of the leading innovators in EVs and adjacent technologies and has expanded beyond its native China into new global markets.
Simultaneously, CATL has remained the bonafide leader in battery manufacturing and market share for the better part of the last decade and has shown no signs of ceding to its competitors anytime soon. Beyond EV batteries, CATL has introduced its own network of battery swap stations in China, part of a strategy to eventually replace gas stations altogether.
Similarly, battery swaps remain a massive part of NIO’s EV strategy. Its growing networks in China and Europe, not to mention its customer support, have proven to the world that swaps can serve as a viable alternative to traditional charging methods in which the battery pack stays put.
That said, NIO and CATL are no strangers to one another. Prior to today’s news, both companies had established several partnerships to expand battery technology and deliver it to more markets. Today, NIO and CATL have confirmed a new strategic partnership focused on battery swap technology to establish the world’s most prominent network. Given each’s current status in that segment, that goal shouldn’t be too hard to achieve.
CATL signs on to support NIO’s battery swap network
Both companies shared details of their new strategic partnership, which was signed on March 17 in Ningde, Fujian, China. NIO and CATL plan to collaborate and leverage their technological strengths to establish a world-leading battery swap network. Per the release:
Building on unified battery standards, the two parties will strengthen the sharing of their battery swapping networks, and accelerate the adoption and advancement of battery swapping services. CATL will support NIO in developing the battery swapping network, while its Choco-Swap technical standards and network will be introduced to the subsequent newly developed models of firefly, NIO’s new brand.
CATL and NIO stated they will operate in parallel to offer NIO and other EV drivers a more seamless and efficient battery swap network experience. As for many EV automakers, the overall goal is to make BEV travel more convenient to help sway more consumers into going all-electric.
Yesterday, NIO and CATL competitor BYD introduced a new 1,000-volt EV platform that can recharge a vehicle in five minutes thanks to 1,000 kW rates, thus reaching time parity with a traditional gas station visit. Before that news, battery swaps have remained the much faster recharge method, taking between five and eight minutes to pull in, have a battery swapped out, and pull through back onto one’s travels.
NIO and CATL hope to promote this alternative method further in China by jointly developing and adopting national battery swap network standards, which include universal battery compatibility across various makes and models, not just NIO vehicles.
NIO and CATL plan to “complete a lifestyle loop” that includes battery R&D, swapping services, asset management, reutilization, and material recycling. In addition to spreading further adoption, the overall goal will be to reduce costs for swap station operators and EV owners alike while improving overall efficiency across the industry.
This is excellent news for the EV industry in China and let’s hope it finds success overseas so it can expand to other global markets soon.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports12 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway