- British in-wheel electric motor specialists Protean Electric have confirmed the first mainstream OEM application of its revolutionary in-wheel technology, with Protean supplying the motors for the limited run Renault 5 Turbo 3 E.
- The 5 Turbo 3 E is an ultra-performance take on the Renault 5, packing 540 horsepower from rear-mounted in-wheel motors, with just 1,980 examples set to be produced.
- It’s a significant achievement for Protean Electric, who are looking to open out its technology for mainstream automotive adoption.
Protean Electric secures its first mainstream OEM partner
It’s not the first time we’ve seen Protean Electric’s in-wheel motors (IWMs) demonstrated on a car, with the Saab-inspired Emily GT concept car running on a set of Protean IWMs a few years ago, but this new achievement positions Protean Electric as the first company to develop and supply in-wheel motors (IWMs) for a major OEM passenger car project. This helps underline the commercial viability of IWMs, with the technology hoping to sometimes replace the conventional electric motor axles seen in most current EVs.
The latest ‘Pd18’ IWM that Protean offers allows over 200kW of power to be delivered to each wheel, enabling high levels of performance – in the Renault 5 Turbo 3E’s case, that translates to 0-62mph in under 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 167mph. Having already shown off its prowess at this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Protean IWM-equipped 5 Turbo 3E is set to be delivered to its first customers from 2027.
Andrew Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer at Protean Electric, commented:
“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 the future of vehicle electrification as it shows clearly in-wheel motors have no limits. We look forward to continuing our work with Renault and other OEMs as they seek to use in-wheel motors to deliver better electric vehicles for their customers.”
Protean Electric is owned by BEDEO, who are looking to retrofit existing vehicles with all-electric powertrains – both on the commercial van side and the classic car side. Last year, it showcased a classic Land Rover Defender with an EV conversion, using Protean Electric’s own in-wheel motor technology.
