Renault Filante Record 2025 Shatters EV Efficiency Expectations by Traveling Over 620-Miles on Single Charge

Renault concludes 2025 with a low-key yet momentous achievement for the electric vehicle sector, one that really has people talking. Their one-seater concept vehicle, the Filante Record 2025, managed to travel 1,000 kilometers (626 miles) on a single battery charge while going at highway speeds.

On December 18th, a trio of drivers took turns driving this beast at a test track in Morocco. The three of them completed 239 circuits on a 4.2-kilometer circuit, totaling 1,008 kilometers in under ten hours. Here’s the cool part: their average speed matched that of many countries’ freeway cruising speeds, hovering at 102 km/h.

Energy-wise, they came in at a surprisingly low 7.8 kWh per 100 kilometers. That’s remarkable because the car was powered by the same 87 kWh battery pack seen in production versions such as the Renault Scenic E-Tech. When the test drive ended, they still had 11% of the charge left, which was enough to get another 120 kilometers at the same speed.

Engineers prioritized efficiency over producing the most raw power. The car’s body weighs only 1,000 kg, thanks to a combination of carbon fiber, aluminum alloys, and 3D printed parts comprised of a material known as Scalmalloy. In addition, they had eliminated the mechanical components in favor of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems.

The true miracle happened in aerodynamics, where wind tunnel experiments reduced the drag coefficient to roughly 0.3. They modified the wheel fairings so that they were directly attached on the rims, allowing air to flow freely around the suspension components. To ensure adequate cooling, air intakes were reduced to their smallest practicable size. To top it all off, they’d commissioned Michelin to create some unique tires with a lower rolling resistance than regular ones.

The Filante’s design is reminiscent of several of Renault’s previous record breakers, including the 1925 40 CV and the 1956 Étoile Filante gas turbine automobile. A lengthy hood flows into a glass cockpit bubble, and the tail tapers off abruptly. To give it a throwback air, they painted it in a bright, UV blue that really stands out.

Laurent Hurgon started the run, putting in several solid hours as the sun set. Then Constance Léraud-Reyser took over for a few hours, despite the heat. Finally, Arthur Ferrière arrived to wrap things off, hitting the 1,000 km mark with plenty of energy left. Renault hopes that the lessons acquired from the Filante will be applied to future electric cars.
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