Right, so what do we have here? Another electric car, but not just any electric car. This is the Renault Filante Record 2025, and it’s hell-bent on breaking records—or at least looking absurdly cool while trying. Unlike your dreary, beige electric crossover, this thing is a sleek, single-seater bullet designed to sip electricity like an aristocrat sips fine wine, all while slicing through the air like a fighter jet. It’s essentially Renault showing off, and we absolutely love it.
Now, let’s get down to numbers, because that’s what really matters when you’re trying to set records. This thing packs an 87 kWh battery—the same as the Scenic E-Tech, which is basically an electric shoebox in comparison. But unlike your typical bloated EV, the Filante Record 2025 weighs just 1,000 kg. That’s lighter than some people’s opinions on Twitter. It’s 5.12 metres long, but barely taller than a Labrador at 1.19 metres. The shape? So slippery, it might as well be made of soap.
A Rolling Science Experiment
Renault is calling this a “laboratory on wheels,” which, translated from marketing nonsense, means they’ve crammed it full of experimental tech that may or may not end up in future road cars. The tyres have been designed to reduce friction so much that they might as well be Teflon-coated. There’s no mechanical link between the driver and the brakes or steering—because apparently, cables and hydraulics are just too mainstream. Instead, it’s all controlled by computers, because that’s never gone wrong in the history of motoring…
Heritage, But Make It Futuristic
Renault is very keen to remind us that this car has been inspired by some of its legendary record-breakers, like the 40 CV des Records (1925) and the Étoile Filante (1956). Back in the day, these machines set speed and endurance records that made headlines. The Filante Record 2025 aims to continue that legacy, while also proving that electricity can be just as exciting as petrol. I mean, if it doesn’t, at least it’ll look magnificent doing it.
Speaking of looks, this car is a proper visual feast. It’s painted in a colour called Ultraviolet Blue, which apparently changes between blue and violet depending on how the light hits it. This isn’t a car; it’s a mood ring on wheels. And the details? Oh, they’re dripping with references to the past—separated wheels like the 40 CV, wheel fairings like the Étoile Filante, and a cabin straight out of a sci-fi film.
Designed Like a Jet Fighter, Drives Like One Too
It’s not just the paint job that’s inspired by aeronautics. The whole car has been built to look and function like a high-speed aircraft. The cockpit is enclosed in an aerodynamic bubble, making the driver feel like a fighter pilot preparing for takeoff. Every surface has been optimised to reduce drag. Even the screws on the bodywork are exposed in a way that screams “we mean business.”
Inside, the F1-inspired driving position puts the driver’s legs over the batteries, which is great for weight distribution but potentially terrifying in a crash. The seat is made from stretched canvas—yes, canvas—so that it molds to the driver’s body like a high-tech hammock. The steering wheel? It’s a 3D-printed contraption made from Scalmalloy (which sounds like something out of a Marvel film), and it controls the acceleration, braking, and steering electronically. No physical connection between your hands and the wheels? What could possibly go wrong?
A Masterclass in Efficiency
Of course, the real goal here is efficiency. The car is shaped like an elongated teardrop to minimise air resistance, while clever engineering ensures every part serves a purpose. Even the suspension arms are streamlined, because in a car like this, any extra drag is simply unacceptable. Renault and Ligier Automotive have worked together to create what is essentially the EV equivalent of a cheating marathon runner—so optimised that it barely wastes a single watt.
And then there’s the tyres. These aren’t just any rubber hoops; they’re Michelin’s finest, designed to have rolling resistance so low, it’s practically sorcery. They’re also tall and skinny, which is both great for aerodynamics and terrible for looking cool at a car meet.
Lightweight Wizardry
One of the biggest challenges was keeping weight down, because every gram counts when you’re chasing records. To achieve this, Renault has turned to carbon fibre, aluminium, and some exotic alloys that sound like they belong on the periodic table of elements yet to be discovered. Even the battery casing is carbon fibre. The result? A car that’s as light as possible, without falling apart the moment you hit a bump.
Technology Straight Out of a Sci-Fi Novel
There’s no conventional steering column, no mechanical brake linkage—just pure digital wizardry. Steer-by-wire means that turning the wheel sends electrical signals to a computer, which then tells the car what to do. Brake-by-wire does the same thing but for stopping. Theoretically, this allows for ultra-precise control and endless customization. In reality, it means if the computers decide to go on strike, you’re in for a wild ride.
The battery tech is equally clever. Renault has used cell-to-pack technology, meaning the battery cells are directly integrated into the pack without unnecessary modules, saving space and weight. The whole setup is crammed into a chassis that’s just 1.71 metres wide—because who needs comfort when you’re breaking records?
A Name That Means Business
Why “Filante Record 2025”? Well, it’s a nod to Renault’s record-breaking past. The Étoile Filante (1956) set speed records in America, while the 40 CV des Records (1925) was a streamlined endurance monster. By calling this new car the Filante Record 2025, Renault is essentially saying, “We’ve done this before, and we’ll do it again—only this time, with batteries.”
The Verdict?
Look, is this thing practical? Absolutely not. Would We take it over a beige crossover? Without question. It’s an engineering masterpiece, a rolling work of art, and proof that electric cars don’t have to be boring. Renault has set out to break efficiency records, but even if they don’t, they’ve created something that every petrolhead—even the most stubborn—can admire. Bravo, Renault. Now, just give it a proper V8 soundtrack, and we’ll be talking.
