Renault is revisiting its record-breaking past with the Filante Record 2025 concept, an electric demo car inspired by the iconic Étoile Filante (Shooting Star) of the 1950s. This sleek, single-seater vehicle, however, isn’t built for speed but for extreme energy efficiency. Measuring 5.12 meters long and just 1.19 meters tall, the lightweight (1,000 kg) Filante Record 2025 embodies a retro-futuristic design ethos.
The original Étoile Filante, a gas turbine-powered car developed in partnership with Turbomeca, set speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1956, reaching over 307 mph. The Filante Record 2025, while a spiritual successor, takes a different approach. Equipped with the same 87-kWh battery pack found in the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric crossover, this concept car aims to establish a new benchmark for power consumption and range.
This “laboratory on wheels” is designed to test and showcase cutting-edge technologies. Bespoke, friction-reducing tires, along with steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, contribute to its efficiency-focused design. Renault, known for its successful revivals (like the recent Renault 5 and 4 E-Tech), drew inspiration from two other record-holding models: the 40 CV des Records (1925) and the Étoile Filante (1956), both significant milestones for the brand.
The Filante Record 2025’s design reflects its focus on lightness and flow. Sandeep Bhambra, Director of Advanced Design at Renault and Ampere, describes it as a “sculpture in motion,” inspired by fighter planes and 19th-century speed records. Its aerodynamic shape, crafted to capture light and minimize air resistance, combined with blue windows and a light color palette, evokes a sense of effortless movement.
Renault plans to pursue a new efficiency record with the Filante Record 2025 during the first half of the year. Before its record attempt, the prototype will be unveiled at the Rétromobile Motor Show in Paris from February 5 to 9, 2025. This concept car represents not just a nod to Renault’s heritage but also a glimpse into the future of efficient electric vehicle technology.