Renault Group and Protean Electric have confirmed that the Renault brand will use Protean as the supplier of in-wheel motors (IWMs) on its electric mini-supercar, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, making it the first European passenger car to enter production fitted with in-wheel motors.
The rebirth of the Renault 5 Turbo has been enabled by a state-of-the-art IWM drive system, with the Protean Drive technology being used to meet the vehicle’s demanding power and torque requirements. The IWM system delivers 555hp directly to the rear wheels, enabling 0-100km/h acceleration in under 3.5 seconds.
Philippe Krief, chief executive officer of Renault’s Alpine brand, explained, “The team has been working hard to offer enthusiasts a retro road supercar with the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. One of the key unique selling points is the in-wheel motors that we have developed together with Protean, who offered us the world-leading IWM technology for this exciting project. We are delighted to be working with them to deliver the legacy of the iconic Renault 5 Turbo in all-electric form.”
Andrew Whitehead, chief executive officer at Protean Electric, added, “We are thrilled to see Protean’s in-wheel motor technology being integrated into such an iconic vehicle as the Renault 5 Turbo 3E. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for the future of vehicle electrification as it shows clearly in-wheel motors have no limits. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Renault Group as they seek to use in-wheel motors to deliver better electric vehicles for their customers.”
More details of the project will be presented at the 2026 International Vienna Motor Symposium, where both companies will deliver papers on vehicle and powertrain development.
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