Renault Filante, the records lose their magic

Renault unveils the Filante Record 2025, an electric single-seater designed to shatter strange records.

But be warned, with this Filante, one might talk about records, but forget immediately about spectacular speed attempts. This Renault has decided to shine on the less thrilling terrain of energy efficiency. A goal quite in tune with the times, certainly, but which pales in comparison to the feats of legendary vehicles like the 40 HP (speed record in 1925) or the Étoile Filante (world record at 308.85 km/h in 1956).

Equipped with an 87 kWh battery borrowed from the Scénic E-Tech and a “limited” weight of 1,000 kg, the Filante Record 2025 focuses on aerodynamics and lightness. Its imposing dimensions (5.12 m long and 1.19 m high) and its design inspired by vintage record cars are not meant to beat lap times on track but to cover the greatest possible distance on a full charge. In this regard, why reproduce vintage designs when they were more guided by aesthetics than by aerodynamics, which was still in its infancy? Why not dare a completely disruptive design? Simply to connect with the past… Or how to be and have been.

Materials such as carbon fiber and “scalmalloy” (a high-performance aluminum alloy) were used to lighten the structure. The front and rear wheel covers resemble more aeronautical techniques than the mechanical challenges of speed records from the past.

A Distorted Heritage

Renault claims the legacy of the legendary 40 HP and Étoile Filante, but the objective has radically changed. Whereas these machines embodied the pursuit of the extreme, this next-generation Filante aims only for efficiency records, a certainly relevant domain in the era of climate concerns but far less captivating. The blue ultraviolet hue and round headlights evoke great past achievements, but the parallel ends there. No roaring engine or exhilarating speed sensations here, only a measured effort to save a few precious kilowatt-hours.

The Filante Record 2025 features advanced technologies such as ” steer-by-wire ” and ” brake-by-wire “, which replace mechanical systems with electronic controls to further lighten the vehicle. Its “cell-to-pack” battery reduces weight by eliminating intermediate modules.

Before attempting to break an energy efficiency record in the first half of 2025, the Filante will be exhibited at the Rétromobile show in Paris from February 5 to 9. Born from a collaboration between Renault and Ligier Automotive, this prototype explores technical solutions that, hopefully, will inspire at least more virtuous production vehicles. Because it’s hard not to regret the era when Renault’s records thrilled with audacity and speed, rather than a reasoned pursuit of energy sobriety.

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