Renault clearly has no intention of stopping at the revival of its past icons in the form of the production R4 and R5. The company has unveiled a new concept inspired by the 1960s Renault 8 Gordini.
The modern reinterpretation of the classic rally sedan is a two-seat coupe with a fully electric powertrain and retro styling. Unfortunately, the car will not enter production, although certain design elements may influence future models.
The original Renault 8 Gordini debuted in 1964 as a high-performance version of the rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive family sedan, developed specifically for twisty mountain roads.
“La Gorde” received an upgraded engine with nearly double the power, lowered suspension, more powerful brakes, four or six headlights, and the signature blue paint with white racing stripes.
The new Renault 8 Gordini Concept captures the spirit of the original car and resembles a sort of reverse restomod, featuring a low and wide body. The coupe measures 13.5 feet long, 6.2 feet wide, and 4.2 feet tall. It rides on 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Six circular LED headlights are arranged in a V-shaped front end without a grille. The rear lights sit flush with the bodywork and disappear when not in use.
The car also features sporty air intakes in the bumpers with a body-color splitter, wide angular fenders, distinctive aerodynamic struts behind the rear side windows, a roof spoiler, a rear ventilation grille, and a large diffuser. Naturally, the carbon-fiber body is finished in the signature blue with white stripes.
The interior is executed in a minimalist style that pays homage to the analog era. Instead of massive screens, Renault has fitted six round instruments with thick bezels, joined across the dashboard by a matte aluminum strip.
There are also neat Alcantara inserts, an aluminum center console with physical switches, and two bucket seats upholstered in black and blue velvet.
The French company revealed that its designers became so engrossed in the project that they produced more than 300 sketches. Renault’s Vice President of Design, Alexandre Malval, stated that the goal was to evoke emotion by combining the brand’s heritage with modernity, as well as “icons of the past and the future.”
Renault did not disclose details about the platform or chassis construction, revealing only that the car is equipped with a single electric motor producing 270 horsepower driving the rear wheels.
As much as one might hope otherwise, Renault has explicitly stated that the R8 Gordini Concept will remain a one-off and will not become a production model. Instead, it continues a line of similar projects dedicated to the brand’s historic models, including the electric restomod R17 x Ora Ïto and the Renault 5 Diamant art car.
The new concept will be shown to the public for the first time on September 24 at the Renault Carwalk event, before being presented at the Paris Motor Show the following month. Afterward, the car will join the collection of the new Renault Collections museum in Flins, which is expected to open to the public in approximately 15 months.
