Renault 5 Turbo 3E in London: our encounter with a future icon

We had the chance to see the Renault 5 Turbo 3E on display at Maison Renault on Oxford Street in London, from April 18 to 26, 2026. And honestly, it’s hard to remain indifferent.

At first glance, it's a shock.

You immediately recognise the DNA of the legendary Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, but reinterpreted in a radical, electric, and futuristic version. Impressive width, provocative design, compact supercar stance… this Renault 5 Turbo 3E doesn't try to please everyone: it imposes its presence.

In photos, it's impressive. In person, it's something else entirely.

A spectacular Renault 5 Turbo 3E in the heart of Oxford Street

In London, in the heart of Oxford Street, Renault presented more than just a car. The brand presented a vision: the return of a French icon, combining rally nostalgia, extreme design, and electric performance.

The setting of Maison Renault further enhanced the visual impact. Luminous screens, graphic ambience, and reflections of red, blue, and green on the yellow bodywork: everything highlighted the taut lines of this extraordinary R5.

The front end is low, aggressive, and almost intimidating. The widened fenders immediately set the tone. The lateral air intakes, massive wheels, elaborate bumpers, and light signature remind us that this car is not a mere sporty variant of the electric Renault 5: it is an automotive object in its own right.

The legacy of the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E clearly plays on emotion. It recaptures the spirit of the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, two models that have become legendary among car enthusiasts, rally fans, and collectors.

But here, Renault doesn't just do retro-design. The silhouette is reinterpreted with a much more futuristic approach. Volumes are exaggerated, details are asserted, and the whole gives an impression of power even when stationary.

This is probably what is most striking when you see it in real life: this car seems ready to pounce, as if every body element had been designed to create visual tension.

555 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and limited production

Technically, Renault announces a maximum power of 555 hp, a 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, a maximum track speed of 270 km/h, and a limited production of 1,980 units. The car features a dual electric motor placed in the rear wheels, with an architecture designed for performance and sensations.

But beyond the numbers, it's above all emotion that dominates. This Renault 5 Turbo 3E reminds us why certain legends deserve to be reinvented.

A design meant to make an impression

What is striking is the balance between homage and provocation. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E retains a compact silhouette, but every detail seems amplified: wide tracks, sculpted rear fenders, imposing diffuser, vertical lights, black roof, contrasting aerodynamic elements.

The yellow, black, and white livery further accentuates its character. It evokes both the world of motorsport and that of the concept car. In London, under the lights of Maison Renault, this combination worked perfectly.

It is immediately clear that Renault is not just trying to appeal to nostalgics. The brand also wants to speak to a new generation of enthusiasts, sensitive to design, exclusivity, and electric performance.

A future collector's icon?

The big question remains open: a simple marketing stunt or a future collector's icon?

After seeing it in person, our impression is clear: the Renault 5 Turbo 3E has all the ingredients to become a significant model. Its limited production, its direct link to a French legend, its spectacular design, and its electric positioning make it a car apart.

It may not appeal to everyone, and that's precisely what makes it interesting. Truly iconic cars don't always seek consensus. They provoke an immediate reaction.

Our opinion after seeing it in person

Renault has achieved something rare: reviving a myth without betraying its spirit.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is not just a powerful electric car. It's a statement. A way to remind us that automobiles can still create emotion, even when reinventing themselves around new technologies.

At Maison Renault in London, it had that presence one expects from an exceptional car: one that catches the eye, questions, surprises, and remains in memory long after the visit.

For enthusiasts, collectors, and lovers of fine mechanics, this Renault 5 Turbo 3E could well become one of the most desirable French cars of its generation.

Protecting an exceptional car: a given for enthusiasts

When a car has such a presence, protection naturally becomes an essential topic. Whether it's a collector's model, a modern sports car, a showroom vehicle, or an occasionally used automobile, preserving the bodywork, lines, and details is an integral part of automotive passion.

At My Roadster®, we share this vision: a beautiful car deserves protection that matches its character. Indoor cover, outdoor cover, showroom drape, or custom protection, each solution must respect the vehicle as much as it protects it.

Conclusion

Seeing the Renault 5 Turbo 3E in London was a true automotive encounter. An encounter with design, history, ambition, and emotion.

Simple marketing stunt or future collector's icon? In our eyes, the answer clearly leans towards the latter option.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E doesn't just bring a legend back to life. It projects it into a new era.