Protean Electric has achieved a manufacturing milestone by becoming the first company to develop and supply in-wheel motors for a mainstream OEM passenger car program, with its technology powering the limited-edition Renault 5 Turbo 3E.
The British specialist’s Pd18 in-wheel motor system delivers over 200kW directly to each rear wheel of the T3E, enabling acceleration from 0-62 mph in under 3.5 seconds. The vehicle made its public debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Protean’s technology eliminates the need for an electronic differential by providing direct power delivery to the rear wheels, while offering more precise control of each wheel and weight savings at the axle level. The motors draw power from a 70kWh battery pack configured to optimize agility and enable what Renault describes as drift capabilities.
“We are thrilled to see Protean’s in-wheel motor technology being integrated into such an iconic vehicle as the Renault 5 Turbo 3E,” said Andrew Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer at Protean Electric. “This collaboration represents a significant milestone the future of vehicle electrification as it shows clearly in-wheel motors have no limits.”
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is planned as a limited production run of 1,980 units, referencing the 1980 launch year of the original model. The first 1,000 vehicles have been reserved, with remaining cars priced from £140,000.
“Currently, we are globally at half of the total volume, so reservations are for delivery in 2028,” says project leader Michael Grosjean, confirming strong demand for the vehicle. “It’s sold out until 2028.”
Production is scheduled to begin next year with customer deliveries following, and the program will conclude in 2029. The vehicle features a 250-mile range under normal driving conditions, though this drops to 15-20 minutes under track conditions. The battery system supports fast charging at 350kW, enabling charging from 15% to 80% capacity in 15 minutes, with thermal management allowing sustained speeds up to 168 mph before requiring charging.
