<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">The rear-wheel-drive electric hot hatch is coming to production.</h2>
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Electric hot hatches are a rare breed. Models like the Abarth 500e, Cupra Born VZ, Mini John Cooper Works, and the lesser-known MG4 XPower come to mind. Renault, however, intends to overshadow them all &ndash; including its own Alpine A290 &ndash; with an outrageously powerful version of the reborn 5. Yes, the Renault 5 Turbo is back, and just like the Porsche Taycan, it carries "Turbo" in its name. Yes, it's a bit misleading.
Although it may appear to be a concept car, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is more than just a showpiece. The diamond-logoed automaker plans to put the car into production. This compact, yet powerful hatchback will feature rear-wheel drive, just like its 1980s predecessor. Instead of the original mid-mounted four-cylinder engine, it will come with two rear-mounted electric motors. The turbocharged 1.4-liter engine in the original made about 160 horsepower, while the electric version now boasts more than three times that figure.
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Renault claims a combined output of over 500 horsepower, which is a huge 285 horsepower more than the aforementioned Alpine A290. The difference in power between the 5 Turbo 3E and the regular Renault 5 is even greater, at a staggering 350 horsepower. While torque figures are not disclosed, it's known that the electric hatch will sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, making it 0.3 seconds quicker than the MG4 XPower, which has "only" 429 horsepower.
The aggressively muscular design removes the standard Renault 5's rear doors in favor of side air vents. Renault has added bulging fenders as a nod to the original R5 Turbo. We also see huge 20-inch wheels fitted to the small car's compact body. The two-tone alloy wheels are wrapped in 245/35 ZR20 tires at the front and beefy 275/35 ZR20 tires at the rear.
While this will be Renault's first electric hot hatch to hit the production line, there have been unique one-off models in the past. Some of you may remember the 2017 Zoe E-Sport with 460 horsepower and the 2022 R5 Turbo 3E with 375 horsepower. The road version will surpass both, likely with a hefty price tag and limited production numbers.
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The standard Renault 5 features a front-wheel-drive setup with a single motor, so it's clear that significant changes have been made under the hood. The high-performance dual-motor, rear-wheel-drive version uses a "carbon superstructure," described as "lightweight and incredibly stiff." The weight hasn't been revealed, but the previous concept, which also featured two rear motors, weighed 3,306 pounds (1,500 kilograms). The Alpine A290 is slightly lighter, tipping the scales at 3,260 pounds (1,479 kilograms).
The Renault 5/Turbo 3E shares similarities with the 1980s models. Back then, the regular version also had front-wheel drive and a front-mounted engine, while the Turbo homologation model moved the engine behind the seats, with power sent to the rear wheels.
While the market for such cars may be small, we're glad that it exists. The model is expected to hit the market in 2026. Renault, while you're at it, can we see another mid-engine Clio?
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<pre style="text-align: center;">Source: https://www.motor1.com</pre>

The Renault 5 Turbo Makes a Comeback with Insane Power

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">It's an entirely new model that costs as much as a supercar.</h2>
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Ford ended production of the Escort in the early 2000s to make way for the Focus. The iconic nameplate made a surprise return last decade as a sedan sold and built in China. However, it was short-lived, as the model was retired last year. Now, the Escort is back again, but this time, it&rsquo;s far more exciting. However, Ford is only partially involved. You&rsquo;ve heard of restomods, but this isn&rsquo;t one. Instead, the Escort RS is a &ldquo;continumod.&rdquo;
With Ford's blessing, British company Boreham Motorworks is bringing back the high-performance Escort with its &ldquo;continumod&rdquo; approach. This marketing term refers to a &ldquo;blueprint-accurate, period-correct vehicle built from scratch.&rdquo; In simpler terms, the cars are built from the ground up rather than restoring existing vehicles like traditional restomods.
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Since Boreham Motorworks is a licensed Ford partner, the Escort RS is technically a continuation model, with chassis numbers provided by Ford. It continues a legacy that started over 50 years ago with the 1970 Escort RS1600.
The new Escort RS honors the original by maintaining the clean lines of its predecessor while modernizing the mechanics inside the retro body. The original engine has been replaced with a larger 2.1-liter unit producing 296 horsepower. It revs up to an impressive 10,000 rpm and delivers power to the wheels through a five-speed dogleg manual transmission.
Alternatively, the base version features a 1.8-liter engine producing 182 hp, transmitting power to the wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, synchronized with Ford Bullet's straight-cut gears. While that may not seem like a lot of power by today&rsquo;s standards, Boreham Motorworks targets a weight of just 1,763 pounds (800 kg). For context, even the lightest ND Miata, the Japan-special 990S, is 420 pounds (191 kg) heavier.
Both engines are fuel-injected, with the more powerful engine also featuring electronic throttle control. Like the old days, there are no modern safety systems &ndash; no ABS, power steering, traction control, or brake servo. However, it comes with disc brakes on all four corners. The four-spoke 15-inch wheels fit the steel bulging arches perfectly, just like the rest of the body. Optional magnesium wheels are also available.
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<pre style="text-align: center;">Source: https://www.motor1.com</pre>

News

The Renault 5 Turbo Makes a Comeback with Insane Power

The Ford Escort RS Makes Its Comeback