From 555 HP Supercar to £20k City EV: Renault Wins Big at the CAR Genius Awards

Renault has asserted its leadership in the electric vehicle space, taking home two major trophies at the first-ever CAR Genius Awards. Celebrating forward-thinking automotive design and execution, the judges named the spectacular Renault 5 Turbo 3E as 'Idea of the Year', while crowning the highly anticipated Renault Twingo E-Tech electric as 'Small Car of the Year'.

Established by the editorial team at CAR, the Genius Awards honour "innovative thinking, brilliantly implemented". Renault’s double win highlights the brand's ability to push boundaries at both ends of the EV spectrum, from a high-performance track monster to a fun, affordable urban runabout.

'Idea of the Year': Renault 5 Turbo 3E

Reimagining the iconic 1980s Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 for the modern electric era, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E blew the judging panel away with its sheer power and daring design.

CAR Editor Ben Miller praised Renault’s bravery in creating the 555 hp electric "mini-supercar":

"The wild French super hatch is back. God it’s exciting; not just to ride in – and to drive, we’re pretty sure – but also for the fact that a mainstream European car maker has had the nerve and the bandwidth to build it." 

Standout Features:

• Unmatched Performance: Equipped with two rear-mounted in-wheel motors producing 555 hp and 4,800 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful road-going vehicle Renault has ever produced.
• Ultra-Exclusive: Strictly limited to 1,980 individually numbered units, a tribute to the launch year of the original Renault 5 Turbo.
• Bespoke Craftsmanship: Custom-built to order with a starting price of £140,000, featuring endless options for personalized liveries and premium interior finishes.

'Small Car of the Year': Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric

Proving that electric innovation belongs on every street, the Renault Twingo E-Tech electric took top honours in the compact category. Recognized for its charm, clever layout, and accessible price point, the new Twingo proves you don't need a massive footprint to make a big impact.

Dubbed “Le Frog” for its expressive headlights and vivid green paint, Miller described the Twingo as:

"A keenly priced creation that buzzes with timeless small-Renault charm... Twingo is surely the most welcome new car of the year, as well as one of the best."

Standout Features:

• Budget-Friendly: Targeting a starting price under £20,000, making zero-emission city driving realistic for a wider audience.
• City Efficiency: Driven by a punchy 60 kW motor and a durable LFP battery, offering a WLTP driving range of up to 163 miles.
• Advanced Features: Includes modern conveniences like One Pedal driving and available OpenR Link multimedia with Google built-in.

A Shared Vision of Innovation

Reflecting on the victories, Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, highlighted the spirit connecting both vehicles:

"These awards capture two sides of Renault at its most creative. Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a dream idea made into reality, combining our performance heritage with cutting-edge electric technology in a way that could only come from Renault. Twingo applies the same spirit of invention to a very different challenge, making electric mobility accessible, versatile and full of personality. Together, they show that ingenuity can be just as powerful in a highly accessible city car as it is in a 555 hp icon."