As part of the Rétromobile Show (from February 5 to 9, 2025), the Renault stand is expected to attract numerous curious visitors. Indeed, building on its past records, the automaker plans to break new ones this year with a concept car, the Renault Filante Record 2025 with a 100% electric powertrain.
Remember, at Rétromobile 2024, Renault showcased the 40 CV record holders from 1925 and 1926, the replica of the Nervasport record holder from 1934, as well as the Etoile Filante (pictured below) with other records set in 1956. A hundred years after the 40 CV single-seater, like an anniversary, the diamond brand is aiming for new records with the Renault Filante Record 2025 with a futuristic design inspired by the previously mentioned Renaults.
The field of aeronautics has especially enabled Renault’s design office to create an incredible machine worthy of a Hot Wheels, but very sophisticated. Without a doubt, the Filante Record 2025 prototype will be the number one attraction at Rétromobile 2025.
The body of the Renault Filante Record 2025 concept car stretches almost like that of an airplane, measuring 5.12 meters in length. As for the height of this single-seater, it is only 1.19 meters. Once again, the lines and curves of this Renault Filante Record 2025 have been designed with the ultimate goal of slicing through the air, meaning optimizing the airflow to the maximum. Moreover, the Filante Record 2025 demo car has a relatively low weight of 1,000 kg, everything having been developed to have the lightest possible single-seater.
The first images released by Renault speak for themselves; the Filante Record 2025 is clearly a success, enough to make both young and old dream while honoring the glories of Renault’s past. Moreover, the color appearing on the body of this demo car is another example from the past, a blue hue with violet nuances, depending on the viewing angle and lighting.
Let’s let Sandeep Bhambra (Director of Advanced Design Renault / Ampere) introduce the Renault Filante Record 2025 at Rétromobile:
“We designed this vehicle as a true sculpture in motion. The lines, inspired by fighter jet hulls and speed records of the last century, evoke a quest for performance and timeless elegance. Every surface has been carefully worked to capture the light and highlight a silhouette that seems to blend into the air. The blue windows and color harmonies reinforce this aerial vision, while the entire design has been conceived to express lightness and fluidity.”
Among the many so-called aerodynamic elements that make up the open and streamlined body of the concept car in question, it is noticeable that the wheel fairings, taken from the Etoile Filante of 1956, have been particularly well-crafted, always aiming to achieve the best possible drag coefficient (Cx).
High-performance 19-inch tires created specifically by Michelin are also part of the Renault Filante Record 2025. From their material to their tall and narrow form, to their structure, these Michelin tires offer minimal energy dissipation. For the rest, before chasing new records, Renault engineers hunted for excess weight, mainly using carbon fiber and 3D-printed aluminum alloy parts for the body of this “French Hot Wheels”.
Let’s move on to the minimalist and ultra-modern cockpit of the Renault Filante Record 2025. The principle of a hammock, with stretched fabric, has been favored for this cockpit. Additionally, there are two controls on either side of the steering wheel for acceleration and braking. That’s not all; to minimize the number of mechanical parts, the steer-by-wire steering systems and brake-by-wire brakes contribute to the 1,000 kg weight of the Filante Record 2025.
Renault has disclosed nothing about the 100% electric powertrain of its new concept car, or rolling laboratory. However, two electric motors for the front and rear axles should equip this Renault Filante Record 2025. Alternatively, a small electric motor per wheel could also be considered. What is known is the battery of the concept car in question. This same battery is equivalent in capacity (87 kWh) to that of the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric. In terms of structure, the battery of the Filante Record 2025 is, however, quite different from that of the 100% electric Scenic SUV, as it uses cell-to-pack technology to maximize energy efficiency with a more compact and lighter battery.
Finally, the next development stage of the Renault Filante Record 2025 will take place in a wind tunnel, as the French automaker aims to set new electric range records in 2025, like the one achieved by Mercedes-Benz with the EQXX, which covered 1,202 km from Stuttgart (Germany) to Silverstone (United Kingdom) in 2022, on a single charge.
The editorial team
Photos: Renault, LesVoitures.com / TheCarsNews.com
