Renault 5 Turbo 3E orders re-open

RENAULT has announced that is has opened orders on a second batch of its 5 Turbo 3E hot hatch this week, with 500 examples of the all-electric model now available to order.

The first 500 examples of the hard-charging hatch sold out quickly, Renault’s second allotment expected to go just as quickly. In total, the French manufacturer will build just 1980 examples of the vehicle in a nod to the launch year of the original 5 Turbo.

Customer deliveries of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E are expected to commence in 2027, subject to homologation by region.

Australian pricing has not yet been divulged, the model’s European launch price listed at €155,000 (A$275,595), with a reservation fee of €50,000 (A$88,870).

“The interest in the Renault 5 Turbo 3E has been phenomenal and it shows the passion that exists for the Renault brand,” said Glen Sealey, the General Manager of Renault Australia.

“Once all 1980 vehicles are allocated globally there will be no more. This is an exclusive car, and an exclusive customer vetting process that Renault has never done before.

“The cars are being allocated on a first come, first served basis globally. So, buyers in Australia have the same opportunity to secure a car as a buyer in Europe or anywhere else in the world.”

Renault says the incoming 5 Turbo 3E can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 270km/h.

The model is claimed to tip the scale at just 1450kg – thanks to extensive use of aluminium/carbon-fibre throughout the dedicated rear-wheel drive chassis and body – and features an underfloor 70kWh lithium-ion battery.

Motive power comes from a pair of electric traction motors, one in each back wheel, producing a total output of 400kW. For overtaking, a button on the steering wheel provides a power boost, while another button will allow the regenerative braking to be set to four levels.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E utilitses an 800-volt electrical system that may be charged from 15-80 per cent in as little as 15 minutes using a 350kW DC fast charger. Full AC battery charging takes around eight hours with the on-board 11kW charger.

Other highlights of the two-seat model include 20-inch wheels, 10.1- and 10.25-inch instrumentation and infotainment displays, Google-based connectivity, bi-directional charging, racing-style seats with six-point harnesses, carbon-fibre trim, a rally-style handbrake, and a choice of interior and exterior colours.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E measures 4080mm in length, 2030mm in width, and 1380mm in height, making it a comparable rival to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Further details of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, including its Australian price tag, are expected to be announced in the coming months.