First shown earlier this year as a styling concept, the Renault Filante Record 2025 technology demonstrator has been continually developed to prove that it’s got more than racy looks going for it. The concept drove more than 1,000 km in less than 10 hours, proving that extreme efficiency is possible at highway speeds.
Unlike Chevrolet’s extreme hypermiling adventure that saw a Silverado EV cover more than 1,000 miles on a single charge by taking advantage of electric motors’ innate low-rpm efficiency, Renault’s Filante Record 2025 averaged 102 km/h (~64 mph) across nearly 630 miles of real-world driving, finishing the test with more than 11% left in the fully production, Renault Scenic E-Tech-sourced 87 kWh battery pack.
But, while the speeds were “normal” and the battery was a production-ready unit, that doesn’t mean the Filante Record 2025 is ordinary. The car was engineered with Formula 1-level materials and production methods to be as lightweight and aerodynamically slippery as possible.
“The overarching goal, from the first sketches to the final test-track drive, was absolute efficiency. That’s the hallmark of a record-breaking car – and it mirrors Renault’s pioneering spirit and tradition since its inception in 1898,” explains Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer Advanced at Renault. “This accomplishment took a lot of exacting work on several fronts – ultra-efficient aerodynamics of course, the low-rolling-resistance tires, the lightweight materials (including carbon fiber and 3D-printed aluminum components) and advanced technical features (steer-by-wire for instance). Teams of experts from Renault and its partners Michelin and Ligier worked on every aspect of Filante Record 2025’s design to demonstrate that electric vehicles can now travel long distances without recharging, even at sustained speeds.”
Light weight, tech heavy
The composite control arms are a nice touch, but the cylindrical information display worked into the billet aluminum hand controls are just chef’s kiss-level perfection — a rare moment when a lightweight, ultra minimalist design actually manages to look both busy and clean, together (be sure to share your take in the comments).
The official test took place last week at the 30 km UTAC test track in Oued Zem, Morocco, beginning at 6:30AM and ending 9 hours and 52 minutes later after covering 1,008 km at a record-setting energy consumption rate of 7.8 kWh/100 km — and, unlike many, similar extreme test vehicles, it seems to have gotten rave reviews from its drivers.
In the hot seat
“[The] Renault Filante Record 2025 is a truly surprising car, both exterior and interior. It demands a high level of concentration, but it’s quite easy to maintain the right speed and the right line,” says Arthur Ferrière, chassis tuning engineer and final stint driver. “I’m very proud to have been part of this record. As the final stint driver, there was a bit of pressure, I had to finish the job after Laurent (Hurgon) and Constance (Léraud-Reyser). But as soon as I put on my helmet and gloves, I was fully focused and determined!”
We’ve got a few more photos of the record-setting concept car, below — take a few minutes to appreciate just how much work actually went into building this thing, then let us know what you think of concepts like this and whether they move the EV adoption needle in the comments.
Renault Filante Record 2025
SOURCE | IMAGES: Renault Group.
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