Wild new 280kW Renault 5 Turbo 3E loves to drift

Renault has released pictures and details of a white-hot version of its upcoming all-electric Renault 5 that's claimed to have been created for drifting.
 
Said to have been inspired by the original wide-body, rear-engined Renault 5 Turbo 2 produced from 1983 to 1985, the all-new Renault 5 Turbo 3E prototype packs a mighty 280kW of power and 700Nm of torque. Both outputs are channelled just to the rear wheels.

Powered by a relatively small 42kWh battery that's designed to provide an ample range for 'several laps' of a gymkhana-style drift circuit, Renault says the 5 Turbo 3E prototype has a top speed of 200km/h but is capable of a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.5 seconds, thanks in part to its lithe 980kg kerb weight.
 
Said to share just its bonnet, doors and cabin with the Renault 5 concept, the R5 Turbo 3E's body is made from lightweight carbon-fibre.

Measuring in at 2020mm wide, the racier take on the electric R5 is more than 250mm wider than the standard pint-size hatch.
 
As well as the wide-body there's also a huge rear spoiler and new front bumper that mimics the original's three-slat design and adds extra cooling and downforce, while at the rear there's an fresh take on the R5 Turbo 2's rear fenders air intakes.
 
More retro hints include four square fog-lights that each contain 16 LEDs.

Pink, blue and yellow LED strips at the front and rear are said to be a nod to 1980s and 1990s video games.
 
Finally, plexiglass windows complete the external changes.
 
If you're wondering where the charging socket is, it's hidden under the air inlet on the bonnet. See-through parts of the body have also been included and are said to show off the car's powertrain.



Within the cabin there are yet more hints at both the French car-maker's R5 Turbo 2, retro video games and its motorsport heritage.
 
Featuring a carbon-fibre race seat and race-ready harness and steering wheel, an upright handbrake dominates the cabin – a less that subtle indication that the prototype has been developed for sliding.
 
As well as the bigger motor and manual handbrake, other mechanical changes include a slower steering rack with more turns lock-to-lock to help catch slides.

 
A nice touch is the bucket seats covered in period-looking grey and black tartan fabric that's been updated with yellow and pink threads. The dash is wrapped in black Alcantara, while the steering wheel has an illuminated logo.
 
Ahead of the driver are 10 digital screens that mimic the original's 10 analogue dials.
 
Helping amateurs get to grips with the art of the slide, three driving modes have been developed to lend a hand. Turbo mode is said to help the car drift, Track Invader is just for fun and Donut mode enables the driver indulge in gratuitous 360-degree spins.


 
There's even an on-board teddy bear called Drifty that's claimed to relax those intimidated by the little R5 Turbo 3E's might.
 
Finally, for YouTubers, Renault has included 10 mounting brackets for GoPros inside and outside the body in order to safely bolt-on GoPros to document your biggest and smokiest drifts.

 
Commenting on its reveal, Renault’s design boss Gilles Vidal said: “Renault 5 Turbo 3E combines ultra-tech design and wilful exuberance with numerous references to the world of car racing and video games.
 
"This pure electric "drifter" demonstrates that electric cars can also be fun with incredible performance."

 
It's been tipped that many of the R5 Turbo 3E's design cues could resurface on the upcoming Alpine R5, which will follow the standard Renault 5's debut in 2023.
 
Following on from the Renault 5 Diamant electric show car that was also built to commemorate 50 years of the R5, the R5 Turbo 3E will be unveiled at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2022 event on September 25.