19-05-2025
Hit or miss: Renault 5 Turbo
Hit or miss: Renault 5 Turbo
Is the R5 Turbo an overpriced and overweight marketing gimmick, or the most exciting electric car yet?
Skip 4 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures.
1
/
4
Jack Rix: 'It looks like an R5 that's been dipped in growth hormone'
I tried, I really did, to engage my rational brain lobe and dismiss this as an overpriced, overweight marketing tool, but I kept getting sucked back in.
The performance figures are suitably bonkers – nothing particularly new about that with fast EVs – but what is new is the level of lunacy applied to the design. It looks like a standard Renault 5 that's been dipped in growth hormone. Then there's the exotic in-wheel motors and the commitment to making it as extreme as possible with the roll cage and rally handbrake.
Advertisement - Page continues below
Yes, the price is pretty wild, but it's basically an entirely new car from the ground up and has there ever been a more exciting electric vehicle? The answer is no. Ollie Marriage: 'We all know more speed doesn't equal more fun'
I'm concerned about this. Yes, it looks cool and I'm sure it'll be fast, but what do we know about cars like this? They're always watered down versions of the concept.
I drove that concept, the Turbo 3E, a couple of years back. They'd given the 375bhp hot hatch a hydraulic handbrake and 50° of steering lock for maximum driftability, but I still came away from it a bit lukewarm. And yes, the production version will be faster still. But we all know that more speed doesn't equal more fun in EV land.
And Renault has already had a run at an electric hot hatch with the Alpine A290 and... it's fine... kinda. And why's this not badged an Alpine? And why's it £120k?
Advertisement - Page continues below
Top Gear
Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox.
Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Success Your Email*
