Renault 5 out, R5 Turbo 3E in for Australia

HOPES for an Australian release of Renault’s retro-inspired electric R5 E-Tech hatchback have been all but dashed, with the model ruled out of the French brand’s incoming product onslaught according to its local general manager Glen Sealey.

However, the high-performance, ultra-exclusive R5 Turbo 3E is still bound for local shores.

Speaking to Australian media at the local launch of Renault’s new Symbioz small SUV, Mr Sealey reflected on its six-model, 18-month slew of product launches – announced at the Renault Duster launch last year – scheduled for Australia.

“The Symbioz is part of Renault’s model revitalisation in Australia,” he said.

“Now, we know that the Australian new car market is experiencing unprecedented competition, but for Renault, we are well progressed in our long-term plans, and there are more new models to come from Renault just around the corner

“In the next six to 12 months, you are going to see the electric Master E-Tech van join our line-up, followed by a heavily facelifted and updated Renault Megane E-Tech, with a host of styling and software changes.

“Plus, there are one or two more surprises up our sleeve, which we'll talk about closer to local showroom arrivals.”

When asked specifically if one of those products was going to be the Renault 5 E-Tech, Mr Sealey said the EV model – inspired by Renault’s classic hatchback of the same name – wasn’t in the pipeline, nor is its Alpine A290 sibling.

However, the high-performance, ultra-exclusive R5 Turbo 3E, is.

“The Renault 5’s off the table, but what is on the table is the R5 Turbo,” he enthused.

“R5 Turbo will be here. We’ve got a number of deposits on that, and we’re quite excited.

“I mean, you’ve seen some of the footage coming out of Europe recently with some passenger rides on that car. It’s going to be a cracker when it gets here.”

The 5 Turbo 3E – paying homage to Renault 1980s hot hatch – has little in common with the regular Renault 5 EV, even utilising a bespoke platform unlike the standard car that rides on the AmpR Small architecture.

Power comes from two rear-mounted electric motors – sourcing electricity from a 70kWh battery – producing 400kW, good for a 0-100km/h run of 3.5 seconds.

Should Australian buyers wish to secure an allocation in Australia, the R5 Turbo 3E has been priced at €160,000 ($A261,628.01) ex-factory (not including transport from France, import duty, the Australian luxury car tax and GST, state registration or insurance fees) with a non-refundable down payment of €45,000 ($A73,582.87).

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is limited to a worldwide run of just 1980 units – a nod to the release year of the original R5 Turbo – with only a handful heading for Australia.

“Look, the global allocation is 1980. If we got one per cent of that, we’d be very, very lucky. We would say less than 10 (units), but more than five,” said Mr Sealey.

According to Mr Sealey, the R5 Turbo 3E has attracted a “real mix” of buyers in Australia.

“It’s a real mix (of buyers). It’s a much younger audience than you expect,” he noted.

“Some are Renault enthusiasts; some are completely not even engaged with Renault and just love the concept. It’s a wild concept.

“As a shape, it’s fantastic and iconic. But the fully electric drivetrain, handbrake lever, roll cage in the back, two seats – it’s a pretty unique car.

“You’re not going to have 1000s of buyers for that. But for everyone who does, you won’t mistake that car when it rolls down the street.”

When asked if the also retro-inspired Renault 4 electric SUV could come to Australia, Mr Sealey didn’t entirely rule out the model but reiterated that any new model headed for our market needs to clear “a few hurdles”.

“We are in a position today where we have a great catalogue of cars to choose from. When we look across the whole gamut, whether it’s Dacia, whether it’s Renault, or any other brand within the group, but it has to jump through a few hurdles,” he explained.

“First and foremost, it must be a vehicle that is available to this market from Renault, and then secondly, is it right for the Australian market? Is it the right timing? Is it the right specification? And does it offer the right value equation for what is one of the most competitive markets in the world.”

With the Renault 5 off the cards, the French brand remains without a hatchback model in its Australian model line-up.

While the electric Megane E-tech shares its namesake with Renault’s long-running hatchback model, it is classed in the small SUV segment.

The last Renault Megane hatchback released in Australia was the limited-run R.S. Ultime model, released in 2023.