Some childhood dreams never fade. They just get rebuilt — one brick at a time. Dave Collins, an engineer from Devon in south-west England, has done exactly that, constructing a remarkably detailed LEGO version of the upcoming Renault 5 Turbo 3E, an all-electric hot hatch that has not yet rolled off a production line. What makes the story even more compelling is that Renault itself has thrown its weight behind Collins' effort to turn his fan creation into an official LEGO set.
From Lockdown Hobby to Viral Sensation
Collins, known in the adult LEGO community by his Instagram handle @devonbricks, returned to the Danish bricks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly four decades after first receiving LEGO and Technic sets in the 1980s, he began designing what enthusiasts call MOCs — My Own Creations, meaning fully self-designed models rather than off-the-shelf kits. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is his fourth MOC, and arguably his most ambitious.
"I grew up as a petrolhead in the eighties and nineties, and the original Renault 5 Turbo was a dream car for me, although I never managed to own one," Collins told electrive.com. "Getting back into Lego, and recreating the dream cars of my youth, has been a really fulfilling experience, particularly when other people are able to enjoy them too."
Over the course of three months, Collins assembled the model from approximately 1,200 LEGO bricks, scaling it to roughly 1:12. He drew the front, rear, and side profiles by hand, backing them with card to check proportions as the build progressed. Custom stickers were designed manually in AutoCAD and printed onto adhesive sheets — a level of precision that explains why the final result looks startlingly close to the real thing.
The Real Car: A €155,000 Electric Legend in the Making
The vehicle that inspired Collins is no ordinary city runabout. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a modern, all-electric revival of the iconic R5 Turbo and Turbo 2 rally cars that dominated motorsport in the 1980s. Unveiled in concept form at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the production version is scheduled to begin deliveries in 2027.
Renault plans to build just 1,980 units — a nod to the year the original Turbo launched — with an introductory price starting at €155,000. That figure buys a bespoke aluminium platform, two in-wheel rear motors delivering around 4,800 Nm of torque, and a 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds. The car's top speed on track is quoted at 270 km/h, which Renault claims makes it the most powerful road car the brand has ever produced.
Powering the Turbo 3E is a 70 kWh battery paired with an 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling DC fast charging at up to 350 kW. Renault says a 15-minute charge will take the battery from 15 to 80 percent, while the WLTP driving range is expected to exceed 400 km. At 4.08 metres long, 2.03 metres wide and 1.38 metres tall, Renault describes the proportions as "supercar width with city car length."
Reservations opened in April 2025, requiring a €50,000 deposit for priority placement. The first 500 signatories secured the €155,000 introductory price, though customisation and options will push the final figure higher.
Renault's Unusual Endorsement
What sets Collins' LEGO project apart from countless fan builds is the reaction from Renault itself. The French carmaker is actively promoting his LEGO Ideas campaign, encouraging fans to vote for the design. If the project attracts 10,000 supporters on the platform, LEGO is obligated to review it for potential commercial release.
Renault's involvement is notable. LEGO's automotive partnerships have traditionally centred on premium and luxury marques — Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche all feature in the company's Speed Champions and Technic ranges. A mainstream French brand, especially one supporting a grassroots fan project rather than a pre-negotiated licensing deal, is a departure from the norm.
In a press statement, Renault framed its support as a way to give "more people the chance to own a piece of that story." It is a clever move: the real Turbo 3E will be prohibitively expensive and scarce, but a €50–€100 LEGO set could place a version of it on mantelpieces across Europe.
Why the R5 Turbo 3E Matters
Beyond the novelty of a LEGO replica, the episode highlights a broader shift in how carmakers engage with enthusiast culture. The original Renault 5 Turbo was a giant-killer — a mid-engined, wide-bodied hatchback built to homologate rally cars. It was playful, slightly absurd, and deeply French. The Turbo 3E inherits that spirit but swaps petrol for electrons, creating what is effectively a retro-styled electric super-hatch.
For European EV buyers, the project is also a reminder that electric mobility need not be joyless. While much of the industry chases aerodynamic efficiency and autonomous serenity, Renault is betting that emotion, heritage and raw performance still sell — even at €155,000. A successful LEGO Ideas set would cement that narrative in popular culture, introducing a new generation to one of France's most storied nameplates.
Whether Collins reaches the 10,000-supporter threshold remains to be seen. But with Renault's marketing machine now behind him, the odds have improved considerably. For a car that will not reach customers until 2027, the R5 Turbo 3E is already generating the kind of cultural cachet most automakers can only dream of.
What is a LEGO MOC?
MOC stands for "My Own Creation." It refers to custom LEGO models designed and built by fans rather than following official LEGO instruction manuals.
How much will the real Renault 5 Turbo 3E cost?
The introductory price starts at €155,000 for the first 500 reservation holders, excluding customisation and options.
How can I support the LEGO Renault 5 Turbo 3E project?
You can vote for Dave Collins' design on the LEGO Ideas platform. If it reaches 10,000 supporters, LEGO will review it for potential official release.