The organization of the Renault group seems simple on paper: Dacia covers the segment of low-cost cars with the lowest prices, Renault takes care of the mid-range models and Alpine reserves the most powerful and expensive sports models. . In this logic, the recent Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is both less powerful and less expensive than the Alpine A290, based on the same chassis.
But this logic literally explodes this morning with the presentation of the Renault R5 Turbo 3E in its production version. Yes, we are talking about a final version of the funny and somewhat crazy concept car unveiled in 2022. A car which will be “mass-produced” and therefore sold, based around a “carbon super-structure” and having two electric motors connected to each of the rear wheels making it possible to reach 500 horsepower at maximum power !
Plus fuck the Renault Clio V6
You are not dreaming, this R5 with the body of a supercar, largely inspired by the old R5 Turbo and Turbo 2, is seriously going to be produced in series. But not under the Alpine badge even though it seemed logical. Luca de Meo, who had recently stated that he was studying the feasibility of a production version of the Turbo 3E concept car, thus seems to be authorizing himself to totally out of category little madness with this new car, the technical details of which are currently unknown (is it a model approved for the road or reserved for the circuit?). We just know that it will go from 0 to 100 km/h in “nearly 3 seconds” and that it will send its power to the rear wheels only. Which promises smoking hot rides with such a level of power…
On paper, it's even crazier than the Renault Clio V6 marketed from 2000 to 2005 with its central rear engine of 255 horsepower in its restyled version. And far above the current Alpine A290 and its 220 horsepower, which left us with a bit of a bitter taste during our first test despite undeniable objective dynamic qualities.
While waiting to learn more about this completely crazy Renault, it is in the spotlight in a mini-series broadcast on Amazon Prime Video: “Anatomy of a Come-back”.
