Why Renault is suddenly putting a supercar into production

July 17, 2025

“A small, angry beast“

The world press was actually up in 2021 when Renault announced that the iconic “5” would return. But in late 2024, an even bigger surprise followed: the Renault 5 Turbo 3E would also go into production. The 540-hp Cinq shoots from 0 to 100 km/h in about three seconds and has a top speed of 270 km/h. But it is mostly the design that steals the show. Sandeep Bambra was jointly responsible for the design of perhaps the most exciting Renault ever.

“When we started with the first sketches, it was still a much narrower car,” Bambra looks back. “But when the technology took its place, the car grew in width. And then we thought: this is really going to be a beast!”

Bhambra did not need much convincing to get the project off the ground. Indeed, according to him, it was former top executive Luca de Meo himself who suggested the idea for a “small, angry beast” that dares to take on supercars on the track. And they succeeded: the Turbo 3E looks ruthless, with extremely broad shoulders, piercing headlights and a diffuser that seems plucked right out of the racer’s box.

Between nostalgia and the future

The retro look is obvious, but it is certainly not a simple remake. “We wanted to keep the DNA of the original Turbo, but at the same time build something that feels modern,” Bhambra explains. “That’s why we chose clean lines and a powerful stance.”

Technically, too, this is a very different beast than before: of course, it is electric and has the handling of a modern supercar. The chassis is completely newly developed and under the skin the Turbo 3E shares little with the regular electric Renault 5.

Sandeep Bhambra (right) in conversation with the author (left).

Why the square headlights?

Notable detail: the headlights of the Turbo 3E are more angular than those of the standard Renault 5. Why? “We first tried the same headlights as the regular R5, but that gave the front end too friendly a character,” says Bhambra. “This car needed to look more serious. The square units were inspired by the original R5 Turbo.”

An evolution, not a copy

According to Bhambra, the new Renault 5 and the Renault 5 Turbo 3E feel like a logical step in the brand’s history. “If the Renault 5 had never been taken out of production, this could be the next generation,” he says. “A kind of 911-like evolution.” And that’s exactly how Renault approached this project: as a modern interpretation, not a retro show.

Favorite look

What is Bhambra’s favorite view of the car? He doesn’t have to think long about that. “The three-quarter rear view. Then you see those broad shoulders, the compact cabin and the air outlets – it really has become a track beast.”

What if…?

Would he want to take another icon under his wing if he could? Bhambra remains cautious. “We still have plenty of icons – think of the Clio V6 or the Twingo RS. But you shouldn’t want everything at once. Finish this project well first, then we’ll see further.”