Renault has designed a truly unconventional electric vehicle for 2025, the Filante Record 2025, which embodies the brand’s flair for quirky designs.
Drawing inspiration from a series of record-breaking Renault vehicles from the past, this unique, torpedo-shaped concept car is far from just a static prototype. The Filante is fully operational and has plans to set a new benchmark for electric efficiency and range later this year.
A Carbon-Fiber Body with Historical Ties
The Filante Record 2025 pays homage to its predecessors, combining historical references with cutting-edge technology. Its sleek, aerodynamic form recalls a trio of past Renaults that made their own mark in automotive history.
The body’s narrow fuselage is inspired by the 1925 40 CV des Records and the 1934 Nervasport des Records, while the name and curvy fenders are nods to the 1956 Etoile Filante.
To bring this vision to life, Renault collaborated with Ligier Automotive, a company with ties to endurance racing and the Formula 1 scene from the ’70s and ’80s.
The ultra-streamlined body is finished in a striking Ultraviolet Blue and measures 201.6 inches in length, just 46.9 inches in height—slightly longer than a Lexus LC500 but known shorter.
The long hood gradually slopes towards a glass bubble that evokes the cockpit of a fighter jet. The wheel fairings, designed for optimal aerodynamics, are mounted separately from the body and are connected to the main structure by several black struts.
Renault plans to conduct wind tunnel testing this spring to refine the body further.
A Rolling Laboratory
Renault has dubbed the Filante Record 2025 a “laboratory on wheels,” incorporating futuristic technologies into its design. The concept features a lightweight chassis built from a mix of aluminum, carbon, and steel alloys, resulting in a total weight of around 2205 pounds.
The body is constructed from carbon fiber, and some parts were 3-D printed using Scalmalloy, a high-strength aluminum alloy. Advanced computer programs enabled Renault to minimize material usage, retaining only the essential sections needed to preserve structural integrity.
Underneath the striking exterior, the car is powered by an 87.0-kWh battery, identical in size to the one found in Renault’s road-going Scenic E-Tech SUV.
The battery cells are integrated directly into the pack, eliminating intermediate modules and keeping the battery weight to a relatively light 1323 pounds.
Inside, the cockpit is minimalistic, accommodating just one seat crafted from stretched canvas over lightweight carbon blades. This setup contributes to the car’s low curb weight and is designed to mold to the driver’s body like a hammock.
A slim screen wraps around a cylinder in front of the driver, providing vital information and allowing the driver to control various functions. Renault also touts an air circulation system that helps ventilate the cabin while avoiding additional weight and complexity.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the unconventional steering wheel. The Filante doesn’t have a traditional wheel, opting instead for a yoke-like arrangement with two handles that control acceleration, braking, and steering.
With steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, the vehicle relies on electronic links between the driver’s inputs and the wheels and brakes. The car also features specialized Michelin tires that reduce friction, enhancing the electric range.
Renault will uncover the Filante Record 2025 at the Rétromobile Show in Paris on February 5, before it attempts to set a new electric efficiency record in the first half of 2025.
