Renault’s Latest Tribute Is an Electric R5 Turbo Born to Drift

Final week, Renault teased an electrical R5 Turbo with a huge wing and never a lot else that we might see. The mysterious rally monster was a part of the model’s celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of its iconic Renault 5 metropolis automotive, which it’s additionally bringing again as a future manufacturing EV. As we speak, we’re lastly capable of get a greater have a look at it. That is the R5 Turbo 3E.

The “3” refers to its predecessors — the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, evolutions of the unique mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive homologation particular hatch designed for World Rally Championship competitors within the Nineteen Eighties. The “E,” as you seemingly guessed, stands for “Electrical.”

There isn’t a Turbo (although there are Turbofans). As a substitute, there’s 380 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of on the spot torque, produced by two electrical motors channeling energy to every of the rear wheels. Sure — similar to its predecessor, this widow maker can also be two-wheel drive.

It tracks, then, that the R5 Turbo 3E automotive is born for drifting. It has a 50-degree steering angle only for the aim, an enormous handbrake lever jutting out of the highlighter-yellow middle tunnel and a number of other driving modes, together with one known as “Donut,” explicitly to assist it spin quick in circles.

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Whereas the R5 Turbo 3E doesn’t use any Renault 5 components, the physique panels are the identical form as the unique automotive’s — simply product of carbon fiber. The automaker mentioned in a press release that the idea’s design was impressed by “pop and gaming mode,” with loads of “references” to video video games, like so:

There are additionally pink, blue and yellow LED strips on the entrance and rear, which flash when the automotive drifts, including a Nineteen Eighties and Nineties videogame vibe. Retro videogames additionally supplied the inspiration for the camouflage stickers adorning the physique. Lastly, the Plexiglass home windows are pink and a sticker studying “La vie en rose” on the rear left window provides a candy je-ne-sais-quoi to this present automotive’s universe.

These references don’t harken again to any particular title particularly; only a obscure thought of the ’80s and ’90s that pervades trendy tradition, which explains all the intense yellow and sizzling pink. In the event you truly return and play them, video video games within the ’90s particularly have been actually extra of a dithered, grainy brown. Like Konami’s GTI Club for instance, which truly had a Renault 5 Alpine in it. Now that might’ve made for one hell of a reference.

All the pictures Renault launched of the R5 Turbo 3E on Thursday seem like of 3D renders and sketches. Nonetheless, the corporate says the precise automotive will premiere this weekend, on the Chantilly Arts & Magnificence 2022. Possibly it’ll do a donut to mark the event.