A decade after the successful Lego Caterham campaign, a new Lego Renault 5 Turbo 3E model, designed by engineer Dave Collins, is gaining traction. With over 2,000 supporters, the project needs 10,000 signatures to be considered by Lego for production. The detailed 1:12 scale model, built in 100 hours, captures the essence of the iconic 1980s car.
The Philippines has a notable history of turning Lego builds into retail products, with one of the most famous examples being the Caterham model created by Carl Greartrix.
A decade ago, this project gained approval from Lego after a strong campaign led by PistonHeads readers. The journey from its early days on Lego Ideas to Caterham’s official involvement—and eventually, enthusiasts building their own Lego Caterham purchased from John Lewis—shows the power of community support. Anything is possible with enough collective effort. Now, another impressive Lego creation has emerged, this time a Renault 5 Turbo 3E, meticulously crafted by engineer Dave Collins.
Unlike some official Lego kits that struggle to capture the true essence of their real-world counterparts, Collins’ model nails it perfectly. The reason behind its accuracy lies in the car’s design. Dave explained, Angular cars are easier to replicate in Lego, making the R5 a natural choice. Plus, it looks fantastic and is instantly recognizable as a modern take on the iconic 1980s classic.
I’ve certainly tried to race a few off the lights in my youth. Renault highlights the exaggerated stance, aggressive proportions, and unmistakable silhouette that define the R5 Turbo 3E, all of which Dave has skillfully translated into brick form. Having started designing his own Lego models during lockdown, the Renault project took Dave around 100 hours over three months, using 1,200 pieces. It was no small feat, as he balanced the build with other commitments.
I think that's how I managed to get the details and dimensions right—by keeping the model in view and constantly refining it. Built to approximately 1:12 scale, the sticker was manually drawn in AutoCAD and printed on adhesive sheet, making it a perfect display piece for any mantelpiece. For Dave’s Turbo 3E to be considered for production by Lego, it must reach 10,000 signatures.
So far, the project has garnered over 2,000 supporters, but it still needs a few thousand more to cross the finish line. With the support of the PistonHeads community, Dave’s Renault could hit 10,000 in no time
Lego Renault 5 Turbo 3E Pistonheads Community Support Model Building
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