French carmaker Renault has thrown its weight behind a fan-built LEGO version of its Renault 5 Turbo 3E, and is now asking the public to help turn the idea into an official set.
The model was put together by British LEGO designer Dave Collins, who goes by devonbricks on Instagram. His miniature take on the Renault 5 Turbo 3E – a limited-run, all-electric ‘mini-supercar’ with 555 horsepower – tries to capture the bold spirit of one of the brand’s more striking modern vehicles. Renault says it wants to see that same energy reflected in LEGO form.
No models here just the real deal - click to check out our Renault offerings
Collins’ design pays close attention to the car’s wide stance, aggressive lines and recognisable shape. Using roughly 1 200 pieces, the model reportedly took around a hundred hours to complete. The build has now been submitted to the LEGO Ideas platform, where it needs 10 000 votes from the public to move to the next stage. If it reaches that target, it could be considered for production as an official LEGO set. Renault is encouraging fans of the brand, the original Renault 5, the new electric Renault 5, and LEGO itself to get behind the project.
The idea plays on a mix of old and new, which has always been part of the Renault 5 story. The original Turbo models from the 1980s turned heads with their aggressive looks and attitude, while the new all-electric Renault 5 Turbo 3E tries to bring that feel to today’s drivers. Only 1 980 examples of the real car will be built, with a price tag of around R3,2-million, so the LEGO version could offer a more accessible way for people to connect with that legacy.
Collins, an engineer from Newton Abbot in Devon, started building his own LEGO creations during the 2020 lockdown, driven by an interest in precision and solving design problems. “I had LEGO and Technic as a kid, and as an engineer I have an inherent need to design, and love getting details right,” he said. “Angular cars are easier to do in LEGO, so the R5 was a natural choice. Plus it looks great, and it’s immediately recognisable as an update of the eighties classic. I’ve certainly tried to race a few off the lights in my youth.”
Can I afford it – find out with this handy Finance Calculator
He says the response so far has been strong. “I am totally blown away,” Collins added. “Some of the early coverage has already been amazing, and I can’t believe I’ve got national journalists from around the world following me on Insta. My wife and daughter are insanely proud of me – I guess this is the result of six years and many hundreds of hours of hard work refining my LEGO designs.”
For Collins, having the model considered for an official set would mean a lot. “If LEGO were to consider it, that would be a great boost… and who knows where that might lead. If they actually made a set, I think that would be great for LEGO, Renault and for me. The car is iconic with people who grew up in the eighties, and the look and power of the electric R5 appeal to all ages now, so I truly believe it would be a success.”
With Renault now supporting the idea, the next step depends on public votes. People can back the LEGO Renault 5 Turbo 3E on the LEGO Ideas platform. Supporters need to sign up for a free LEGO account and then place their vote on Dave Collins’ creator page. If the project reaches 10 000 supporters, it could go from a personal passion project to a set that LEGO fans around the world can build at home.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
