The Renault Filante Record 2025 demo car successfully traveled over 1,000 km on a single charge while maintaining realistic motorway speeds. This “lab on wheels” achieved the feat at the UTAC test track in Morocco on December 18, 2025. The project demonstrated that high-range electric travel is possible without resorting to oversized batteries.
Highlights
- Distance and Speed: Covered 1,008 km in under 10 hours at an average speed of 102 km/h.
- Energy Consumption: Achieved a highly efficient consumption rate of 7.8 kWh/100 km.
- Standard Battery Tech: Utilized a standard 87 kWh battery, the same unit found in the Scenic E-Tech.
- Advanced Systems: Featured cutting-edge steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technology to reduce vehicle weight.
- Residual Range: Finished the record run with 11% battery capacity remaining, enough for an additional 120 km.
Engineering for Maximum Efficiency
The Filante Record 2025 was purpose-built to prioritize absolute efficiency from its initial sketches to final testing. Weighing only 1,000 kg, the vehicle serves as a technical showcase for Renault’s future electric vehicle (EV) development. Key technical partners included Michelin, who provided custom low-rolling-resistance tires, and Ligier, who developed the powertrain and chassis.
Aerodynamic Optimizations
Wind-tunnel testing conducted in early 2025 led to a significant redesign after discovering the drag coefficient was too high. Engineers lowered the drag from approximately 0.40 to 0.30. To achieve this, the team implemented several bold changes:
- Wheel Fairings: Redesigned and mounted directly to the wheels to improve airflow.
- Streamlined Wings: Freed up air movement around suspension and transmission components.
- Air Intakes: Reduced in size to eliminate residual parasitic drag.
Lightweight Materials and Architecture
To minimize weight, the development team utilized an array of advanced materials and manufacturing processes. These innovations helped the car reach its performance targets during the 239-lap endurance test.
- Composite Structures: Extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum alloys.
- 3D Printing: Integration of 3D-printed Scalmalloy and aluminum components.
- Brake-by-Wire: Electronic braking systems that offer greater architectural flexibility while saving mass.
Historical Inspiration and Future Application
The design of the Filante Record 2025 pays homage to Renault’s heritage of speed and endurance. Its ultraviolet blue finish honors the 1925 40 CV record-breaker and the 1956 Étoile Filante. The cockpit features a protective bubble inspired by fighter jets and a driver position modeled after Formula 1 cars.
Beyond the record, the data gathered from this mission will directly inform future production models. Renault aims to meet customer needs for efficient long-distance travel, especially under demanding highway conditions. A three-episode miniseries documenting the project’s development and the successful attempt in Morocco will be released to provide further technical insight.
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