2027 Renault 5 Turbo 3E: Electric Hyperhatch for Australia

Reservations for the 2027 Renault 5 Turbo 3E are set to open in the coming weeks, with the electric hyperhatch confirmed to be coming to Australia in limited numbers.

While sharing very little with the forthcoming electric Renault 5 on which it’s based, the R5 Turbo 3E uses dual rear in-wheel motors producing more than 400kW and 4800Nm – propelling it to 100km/h from a standstill in less than 3.5 seconds.

However, while the 4800Nm would give the hatch 3.5 times the torque of a Chevrolet Silverado HD pick-up with the 6.6-litre ‘Duramax’ turbo-diesel V8, it seems more likely Renault is taking a leaf out of the GMC Hummer EV’s book, which was originally said to have 15,574Nm at its release – a somewhat misleading figure which turned out to be wheel torque.

Regardless, the R5 Turbo 3E is set to be one of the fastest hatchbacks ever produced – outpacing the likes of a Nissan R35 GT-R, Ferrari Enzo V10, and the twin-turbo V12-powered Aston Martin DB11.

Renault says the 3E weighs 1450kg – a lightweight in electric-vehicle terms – with a 70kWh battery mounted under the floor for better centre of gravity (and therefore better handling), providing a driving range of more than 400 kilometres.

Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the car can be recharged from 15 to 80 per cent in just 15 minutes on a 350kW DC fast charger – with an 11kW AC outlet charger requiring approximately eight hours for the Renault to be fully replenished.

According to Renault, the R5 Turbo 3E is capable of several ‘hot laps’ at a race track, hitting top speeds of up to 270km/h, before needing to be charged.

Despite being badged as a Renault, engineers from Alpine – the carmaker’s high-performance arm – are responsible for suspension set-up and tuning.

The French carmaker has also provided a glance of the interior for the first time, with the rally-inspired vehicle featuring a mix of tartan and Alcantara with splashes of colour throughout.

Renault says the R5 Turbo 3E comes with bucket seats, six-point harnesses, a vertical handbrake – providing hydraulic locking to the rear wheels, or a simulated equivalent for drifting and rallying – along with a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster and a driver-oriented 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

Strictly a two-seater, the car features a bolt-in half-cage and a luggage net to separate the cargo area from the driver and passenger.

Buyers will be able to choose exterior and interior colour combinations, including historic and modern rally liveries in black, white, and yellow, along with a wide range of customisation options both outside and in.

Compared to the Renault 5 – which is 3.92 metres long with a 2.54-metre wheelbase – the R5 Turbo 3E is 4.08m long, 2.03m wide, 1.38m high, and with a wheelbase of 2.57m.

Styling has been heavily inspired by the Renault 5 Turbo and R5 Turbo 2, with heavily pumped guards, aggressive front spoiler and rear diffuser, and air intakes ahead of the rear wheels.

While production will be limited to just 1980 vehicles, there’s no word yet on how many will be allocated to Australia – or how much it will cost.