Renault creates electric "mini-supercar" with motors in its wheels

French carmaker Renault has unveiled a souped-up electric reboot of its 1980s R5 Turbo sports car, with in-wheel motors that deliver an extremely high level of torque.

Set to be produced in a limited run of 1,980, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E achieves top speeds of 167 miles per hour thanks to a 540-horsepower motor in each of its rear wheels.

As a result, the car has 3,540 pound-feet (4,800 newton-metres) of pulling power at the wheel, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in less than 3.5 seconds.

This performance is squeezed into a vehicle with the width of a sports car but the more petite length of a hatchback, leading Renault to dub it the world's first electric "mini-supercar".

"This exuberant, over-excited model promises the best performance and sensations in just four meters of length, which is unprecedented in the market," said Renault Brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive.

"With this car, Renault continues to make electric vehicles ever more desirable."

Billed as the carmaker's "most powerful and most advanced road car ever", the Renault 5 Turbo 3E adapts the look and performance of a racing car for everyday driving.

Much like a supercar, the two-door, two-seater features a prominent bumper and rear wing extensions, while "retro-futuristic" details such as the wing mirrors and the square headlights hearken back to the 1980s R5 Turbo.

The car's racing sensibilities also extend into the cockpit, equipped with a rally-style vertical handbrake and a six-point harness instead of a seatbelt.

A button on the steering wheel provides a power boost for overtaking.

Engineers from Renault-owned racing carmaker Alpine developed a new aluminium platform for the 3E, which supports the 540-horsepower motors in its 20-inch rear wheels.

Electric vehicles are already known for providing more immediate acceleration compared to combustion-engine cars, as they can provide full torque from standstill.

By integrating the motors into the wheels, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E takes this one step further and creates a power that's "not unlike the turbos of yesteryear, but without the lag time", the carmaker said.

"We have spared no expense, developing a specific platform and the world premiere of these 540-horsepower in-wheels motors enabling a zero to 100 kilometres per hour time of around three seconds," said, Philippe Krief, CEO Alpine Brand and CTO Renault Group.

According to the brand, the dual in-wheel motors also provide improved agility, as well as space and weight savings on the rear axle.

With its lightweight carbon superstructure, that means the whole car weights just 1,450 kilograms, with a power-to-weight ratio that rivals iconic supercars, according to Renault.

The vehicle's 70-kilowatt-hour battery is housed under the floor, charging from 15 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes and providing 400 kilometres of range on a single charge.

Numbered to pay homage to the heyday of the original Renault 5 Turbo, the limited run of 1,980 cars is set to arrive in showrooms in 2027.

Buyers will be able to request their desired number and customise the car in different colourways, from Rouge Grenade to the yellow, white and black racing livery of the Tour de Corse 1982.

A number of other carmakers have toyed with reviving nostalgic models from the 1980s with electric motors – although so far, these have largely taken the form of concept cars that are unlikely to go into production.

Among them are Nissan's R32EV sports car and Hyundai's Grandeur saloon.

The photography is by Clement Choulot.

The post Renault creates electric "mini-supercar" with motors in its wheels appeared first on Dezeen.