French carmaker Renault has announced the launch of a limited-edition electric version of its iconic 1980 R5 Turbo petrol-engined hatchback, originally designed for rally racing. The model attracted 850 orders in its first week, despite its high starting price of €155,000 ($176,000).
Renault plans to sell only 1,980 units of the 555-horsepower Renault 5 Turbo 3E electric car, which features tailored wings designed for its internal combustion-engined predecessor and can accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
A Renault spokesperson stated that it received 850 reservations for the Turbo 3E in the first week after ordering opened on April 22, with interest coming from Europe, Japan, the Middle East, and Australia.
Customers are required to pay a €50,000 deposit and wait until 2027, when deliveries are expected to begin from the Renault Alpine plant in Dieppe, northern France.
The R5 is one of Renault’s most successful models, and the company is looking to revive previous successful models, such as the Renault 4 and others, but this time the new models will feature electric motors.
