Earlier this year at the Rétromobile Motor Show in Paris, Renault turned heads with the Filante Record 2025 concept. Part fighter jet, part Formula 1 car, and part 1920s speedster, it was a stunning tribute to the brand’s heritage.
But last Thursday, at the UTAC test track in Morocco, the Filante proved it’s much more than a pretty face. It just completed a grueling 10-hour endurance test that might have just changed the conversation around EV efficiency.
1,000 Kilometers, One Charge
The goal was simple but ambitious: 10-100-1000. The team aimed to drive for 10 hours, covering over 1,000 kilometers (626 miles), at a sustained speed of at least 100 km/h (62 mph).
Using the same 87-kWh battery found in the current Renault Scenic E-Tech crossover, the Filante didn’t just meet the goal—it crushed it.
While the Filante’s design has evolved to look less like a vintage Bugatti and more like a streamlined “belly tanker” lake racer, the aerodynamics are clearly doing the heavy lifting.
| Metric | Achievement |
| Total Distance | 626 miles (1,008 km) |
| Average Speed | 63 mph (102 km/h) |
| Energy Remaining | 11% State of Charge |
| Calculated Efficiency | ~8.0 miles per kWh (7.8 kWh/100 km) |
| Estimated Total Range | 700+ miles
(1,126+ km) |
To put these numbers in perspective, the famous Mercedes-Benz EQXX recorded 8.4 miles per kWh (7.39 kWh/100 km) during its 2024 test. However, there’s a catch: Renault conducted its test at an average speed 20 mph (32 km/h) faster than the Mercedes team.
In the world of EVs, wind resistance is the ultimate enemy. Maintaining that level of efficiency at highway speeds is a massive technical achievement.
You likely won’t see a “belly tanker” in your local Renault showroom next year. However, the Filante is a rolling laboratory. The data gathered from this run will directly influence the next generation of hatchbacks and crossovers.
