When I learned of the news that Renault had produced a super EV hatchback, the Turbo 5 3E, my mind went back to when I took to the track in an original 5 Turbo. An invitation from Tim Jackson, the then supremo of Renault PR in the UK, offered the opportunity to test drive the French pocket rocket and, of course, I did not have to think twice. However what I did not know, there was a surprise awaiting me in France, the opportunity to take to an ice racing track. On a cold but dry night I arrived at the circuit, which was lit like a soccer stadium; I was taken to a waiting ice racing 5 Turbo where an instructor waited. What a surprise I got when I climbed on board none other than Patrick Tambay, a two time winner in F1 with Ferrari. The super cool Frenchman, alas no longer with us, who had competed in ice racing with fellow F1 aces Alain Prost, Jean Pierre Beltoise and Jean-Louis Schlesser eased the powerful Renault out on to the track and lap after lap I gazed in awe as he controlled the car on the ultra-slippery surface. He returned to the start/finish line, it was my turn, it lasted a few hundred metres as I ploughed into a snow bank; a career in ice racing for me was a non-starter!
Now enter the motoring arena, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, which for many will bring back memories of the car which rallied in the 80s. With styling, but much more butch, of the new 5 EV which has a sporty version, the Alpine A290, the 5 Turbo 3E is based around a new carbon structure with a pair of rear wheel mounted electric motors which pumps out 500bhp plus. Imagine a rear wheel drive hot hatch with that power and according to figures from the manufacturer, rest to 100kph (62mph) in 3.5 seconds. That performance compares favourably with a number of supercars. The good news is that it will be a production model, although I suspect it will have a limited run with a hefty price tag.
In a way, this newcomer plays homage to the original Renault 5 Turbo which was primarily created to go Group B rallying in an era in rallying that we shall never see the like again. There was good news, it spawned an impressive road going homologation special, and rare in that it was mid engined and it produced a glorious sound. Just like the original the new EV has mighty on road presence with its rear arches which now house the charging socket in place of the air intakes on the original car. The name Turbo 3E first made an appearance on a concept two years ago, a fore taste of what was to come. When this new high performance EV goes on sale I suspect a lot of interest will be displayed and it will bring with it memories of a glorious past for French motor sport, notably, rallying, rallycross and ice racing.
It has certainly brought me back to the future.
Ian Lynas
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