As we go through the golden era of restomods, a group of French automotive enthusiasts came together to design and build the ultimate version of their favorite Group B homologation-special youngtimer from the ’80s. Thus, the Renault Turbo 3 was born, as a limited production mid-engined hot hatch designed without any cost-related compromises by the newly established company Legende Automobiles.
The team behind this project consists of the founder Alan Derosier (car designer), Charly Bompas (car stuntman), Alexander Decleves (mechanical engineer), and Pierre Chaveyriat (race car builder). Their goal was to combine the best bits of the Turbo 1 and Turbo 2 variants of the Renault 5 while using modern technology to improve the electrical systems and shed weight.
The result is a stunning vehicle that stays true to the original while incorporating a few tastefully modernized details. The boxy wide fenders pay respect to the Bertone-designed original bodykit, however this time instead of aluminum (Turbo 1) or steel (Turbo 2), the body is made of carbon fiber allowing for a lower weight. The full-LED headlights and the bespoke LED taillights merging with the inlets bring the R5 Turbo to the 21st century without messing with its timeless design. The same can be said for the custom dual tailpipes housed in the two-piece diffuser, and the more prominent rear spoiler which is painted in orange as the extension of the roof and A-pillars. The wheels have also grown in diameter with 16 inches at the front and 17 inches at the back available in two different designs, while the car has been “significantly widened”.
The interior shares close to nothing with the original but it does a perfect job in exuding restomod energy. The circular instruments of the Turbo 1 have been replaced by a fully digital instrument cluster, sitting behind a bespoke two-spoke steering wheel. The spartan dashboard spots orange climate vents with the dual-zone climate control system featuring modern controls and no infotainment screen. The manual shifter, the roll-cage, and the lightweight bucket seats with integrated headrests and 6-point harnesses show that this R5 is designed for performance.
According to Legende Automobiles, the R5 Turbo 3 is based on a three-door Renault 5 chassis (like its predecessors), but it is fitted with front and rear double-wishbone suspension borrowed from the R5 Maxi Turbo racecar. A mid-mounted turbocharged engine produces around 400 hp which is a lot more than the original 1.4-liter in the road-going examples. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a sequential gearbox with a manual shifter, as the team wanted “to give the driver full control of the turbo-powered engine”.
Legende Automobiles didn’t specify how many units of the R5 Turbo 3 they are planning to build, neither the price. As a reminder, the original Renault 5 Turbo was produced in a limited number of 5,000 units between 1980-1986 (Series I and Series II). Judging from similar restomod vehicles, we expect the Turbo 3 to be close to the cost of pristine-condition classics which means six digits.
