Renault 5 Turbo 3E hot hatch coming to Oz

What’s got 375kW, accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, and has ‘on-trend’ retro 1980s design?

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E, that’s what, and it’s just been confirmed for Australia.

Timing, pricing and specification levels of the rear-drive ballistic missile are not yet locked in but Renault Australia has already set up a website taking expressions of interest for the exotic carbon-fibre pocket rocket.

Renault is clearly gauging customer interest for the mind-melting hot hatch, which is expected to be rare and expensive.

Set to take on the ultra-dynamic Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – arguably the most involving mainstream EV thus far – the Renault has one important ingredient its Korean rival lacks – provenance.

While the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is fully-electric, it can trace its roots back to the classic Renault 5 Turbo from the 1980s, a French icon whose image has now been remade for the modern era.

Expected to be a genuine race track weapon, the boxy hot hatch was only announced two weeks ago, its 3.5 second 0-100km/h time and potent 375kW/500hp instantly making it Renault’s quicker vehicle ever made.

“We got the green light for this car overnight and we are not waiting a moment to get things moving,” said Glen Sealey, Renault Australia general manager.

“We know Christmas Eve is not the ideal time to make a major announcement like this, but we know our fans have been waiting for this news and we wanted to share it with them as soon as possible.”

Inspired by the original Renault 5 hatchback, which was sold in Europe between 1972 and 1985, the car will turn heads with its huge wheels and wild aerodynamic body work but should also be a genuine drivers car, with cutting edge suspension and brakes.

Taking advantage of a carbon-fibre superstructure, the exotic French performance car is claimed to deliver a ‘high strength’ body while keeping kerb weight low.

Based on the regular Renault 5 E-Tech electric hatchback, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E features far bolder LED lights and a sci-fi interior fitout, complete with racing bucket seats.

Battery size, cruising range, recharging times and standard features will be confirmed close to its Australian arrival – which is likely to be 2026.

“We have been working around the clock with head office in France to secure the Renault 5 Turbo 3E for Australia, and we finally locked it in just hours away from the start of the holiday shutdown period,” added the Renault Australia boss.

“Customers in Australia will be able to fill in their details on an expressions of interest page, which will make them the first to know when there are important updates – and it will make them the first to know when it comes time to place an order.”

Another French brand, Citroen, recently exited Australia following sluggish sales and although Renault has seen a 32 per cent decline in sales from 7576 units in 2023 to 5138 thus far in 2024, the regional chief says his employer is committed to the Aussie marketplace.

“Renault head office in France has been very supportive of Australia,” explained Sealey.

“The fact we’ve been able to secure the Renault 5 Turbo 3E for our customers so soon after it was confirmed for production in Europe shows how committed Renault is to the Australian market – with this and other exciting models around the corner.”