Renault wrapped up 2025 with an impressive achievement, pushing the outer limits of electric vehicle efficiency. Its ultra-aerodynamic single-seater prototype managed to cover 626 miles (1,008 km) on a single charge. Even more striking, it did so in less than 10 hours, maintaining an average speed of 102 km/h (63 mph) throughout.

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After the run, the EV still had 11 percent of its battery charge remaining. According to the company, that would have been enough for another 75 miles (120 km) at the same average speed, potentially extending the total range to 673 miles (1,083 km).

A Prototype With Unexpected Stamina

The car in question is the Filante Record 2025, a purpose-built concept that made its first appearance back in January. Originally, Renault aimed to attempt the record in July, but meeting the aerodynamic targets proved trickier than expected.

By October, the prototype was ready. Then weather in France got in the way, delaying things again. Eventually, the team relocated to Morocco and ran the test on December 18 at the UTAC high-speed proving ground, where conditions finally cooperated.

The Renault Filante Record 2025 (above) compared to the original prototype (below).

The design draws inspiration from Renault’s past record-setters, notably the 1925 40 CV and the 1956 L’Étoile Filante. Even so, several elements from the original prototype had to be reworked in the wind tunnel to meet the strict aerodynamic targets.

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Changes involved removing the futuristic LED lighting, reducing the number of air intakes, and refining the fender shapes. Still, key features remained intact: the extended hood, transparent canopy, aircraft-style tail, F1-style driving position, and the ultraviolet-blue paint finish all carried through to the final version.

The engineering effort went beyond just slicing through air. Renault also aimed to reduce rolling resistance and weight. To do this, the team used carbon fiber, aluminum alloys, and 3D-printed Scalmalloy components.

Michelin provided a bespoke set of low-drag tires, while the car’s steering and braking systems operated entirely by wire.

French firm Ligier handled the platform, chassis, and carbon tub, integrating an 87 kWh battery pack. For comparison, that’s the same capacity as the battery in the Scenic E-Tech, Renault’s midsize electric crossover.

The Impressive Record

On record day, three drivers rotated in and out of the single seat, covering 239 laps of the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) Moroccan circuit over 10 hours. There were no charging stops, just brief halts for technical checks and driver changes. That consistency helped maintain the 102 km/h (63 mph) average.

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The car posted an energy consumption figure of 7.8 kWh/100 km. That’s nearly half the official WLTP figure for the Scenic E-Tech, which uses the same battery and consumes 14.1 kWh/100 km under standard testing. And unlike those lab figures, this test was run at real-world highway speeds.

Renault developed the Filante Record 2025 not only to celebrate its legacy of record-breaking prototypes, but also to explore ways of improving efficiency in production EVs, particularly for long-distance driving.

The hope is that insights from the project will carry over to future Renault models, helping drivers spend more time on the road as advances in battery and motor technology continue to evolve.

Renault

Renault has used Solutrans 2025 to introduce the new Trafic E-Tech Electric. It’s the company’s version of the Flexis Panel Van and the styling is virtually identical.

That being said, the latest variant features an illuminated Renault logo that is flanked by “light guides” and slender turn signals. They’re joined by low-mounted headlights and a familiar front bumper.

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Since we’ve already seen the van before, we’ll briefly mention it has black plastic accents, a dynamic beltline, and asymmetrical rear doors. They’re joined by three dimensional taillights as well as large side doors that are designed to accommodate Euro pallets.

Two different versions will be available including an L1 that measures 191.7 inches (4,870 mm) long and has a cargo capacity of 180.1 cubic feet (5.1 cubic meters). The L2 has a 15.7-inch (400 mm) longer wheelbase and this enables it to hold up to 204.8 cubic feet (5.8 cubic meters) of cargo. Renault added both models are 74.8 inches (1,900 mm) tall, which enables them to access underground parking garages.

A Straightforward Interior

While cargo takes priority, the cockpit isn’t too shabby as it features three seats as well as a “tube-shaped dashboard.” They’re joined by a three-spoke steering wheel, numerous storage compartments, and Zeta blue-jean upholstery with grey accents and contrast stitching.

Buyers will also find a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch openR evo infotainment system, which is angled towards the driver. The latter features “tailored navigation that takes into account vehicle dimensions and load to avoid unsuitable routes.” There’s also an electric route planner, which suggests the best charging stops. Customers can also upgrade to Google built-in, which will be offered as an over-the-air on-demand feature.

Two Batteries With Up To 280 Miles Of Range

The Trafic E-Tech Electric rides on a skateboard platform and features a rear-mounted motor producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. It’s powered by two different battery packs.

The long-range battery will be available at launch and features a nickel manganese cobalt chemistry. It enables the van to have a range of around 280 miles (450 km) under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure.

Later on, Renault will offer an “urban-range” lithium iron phosphate battery. This variant promises to be affordable and capable of traveling nearly 217 miles (350 km) on a single charge.

Buyers will also find 800V technology, which will enable the van to go from a 15% to 80% charge in approximately 20 minutes. They’ll be joined by Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities.

Other highlights include a turning circle that is said to be equivalent to a Clio. The automaker is also aiming to use over 23% recycled materials on the van.

The Trafic E-Tech Electric will be built at the Sandouville plant, alongside the ICE-powered model. Production is slated to begin in late 2026 and the panel van will eventually be joined by chassis cab, platform cab, tipper, flatbed, and cargo box models.

Low-resolution images of Renault’s new Twingo E-Tech leaked earlier this week, proving that the production car delivers almost all of the want-one factor that made the 2023 concept such a hit. But that leak only gave us half the story.

Today Renault gave its new baby EV a proper debut and filled us in on all the technical details that reveal whether the Twingo has some substance to go with that style.

Related: The New Renault Twingo Just Leaked And It’s Every Bit As Cute As You Hoped

We’ll not dwell too much on the exterior in light of the earlier leak and the fact that you can make up your own mind about the appeal of the cartoonish DRLs and whether you prefer the finished Twingo’s conventional door handles to the concept’s flush-fit versions.

However, we can probably all agree that the design works whether or not you remember the 1993 original it clearly apes, and to our eyes, it kicks BYD’s Dolphin Surf into next week.

The platform

So what is under the skin? Renault’s kept things simple, using a shortened version of the AmpR Small platform found under the 4, 5 and the 5’s Nissan Micra cousin. But where the 5 gives buyers the choice of 40 or 52 kWh batteries, the Twingo E-Tech makes do with a much smaller 27.5 kWh LFP battery to keep costs down and reflect its urban intent.

Small battery, solid city range

Renault says the pack has a new type of chemistry that is less dependent on cobalt and nickel and gives a WLTP range of 163 miles (262 km), versus 155 miles (250 km) for VW’s ID. Every1 concept, a thinly disguised preview of next year’s ID. Up.

DC charging is capped at a slothful 50 kW in the Twingo, but that should be viewed in the context of the battery size. Because it’s so tiny a 10-80 percent fill takes around 30 minutes.

How Quick Is It?

Power and performance figures follow a similar trend: they’re acceptable, but nothing special. We’re willing to bet Renault will add more powertrain options in time, but the sole setup available from launch consists of a single, front-mounted motor that makes 81 hp (82 PS / 60 kW) and a marginally more impressive 129 lb-ft (175 Nm). A Model 3 Plaid, it is not.

Zero to 62 mph takes 12.1 seconds, but let’s be honest, the Twingo’s natural habitat is the supermarket car park, not Silverstone. 

Tiny, but only on the outside

The party trick here isn’t the drivetrain anyway – it’s the packaging. At just 3,790 mm (149 inches) long, with a 2,490 mm (98 inches) wheelbase and weighing only 1,200 kg (2,650 lbs), the Twingo squeezes in what Renault says is proper adult space that rivals the roominess of cars from the segment above.

And the two independently sliding rear seats that can move up to 170 mm (6.7 inches) to trade legroom for the luggage kind.

And there’s a ton of it. Up to 360 liters (12.7 cu-ft) or over 1,000 liters (35.3 cu-ft) if you fold the rear seats. Now those are impressive stats – a Fiat 500e has half the carrying capacity, the supposedly bigger Renault 5 only provides 326 liters (11.5 cu-ft), and even a bigger-again VW Golf only gives you 381 liters (13.5 cu-ft).

Renault says you can also access the 50-liter (1.8 cu-ft) underfloor storage area even when you’ve already got stuff in the trunk.

Inside, Renault has tried hard to retain as much of the concept’s pizazz as possible while also cutting out enough cost to bring the Twingo to the street for “less than £20,000,” according to the UK PR team.

The final bill could be much lower because earlier reports suggested Renault was targeting €20,000, which is only £18k/$23k, and what Renault needs to reach to compete with BYD’s Dolphin Surf.

Lipstick gearstick

The dashboard features color-coordinated trim, the roof lining hides a “Twingo alphabet” pattern, and the gear selector is a customizable “e-pop shifter” shaped like lipstick. Because why shouldn’t your car be allowed to have personality, eh VW?

Tech is handled by a 7-inch digital cluster and a 10-inch central screen, with Google Maps and Google Assistant on top trims.

The Twingo even has its own avatar sidekick named Reno, who can help with charging info or answer questions like a tiny electric French Jeeves, and delivers an electronic welcome fanfare courtesy of Jean-Michel Jarre.

Is Renault Onto Something?

To sum up then, the Twingo looks great and has a freakishly large trunk but won’t set any records for range or acceleration. But if Renault can keep that price low enough – we’ll find out in the coming months – it has all the makings of a massive hit, and one that could potentially steal more than a few sales from the more expensive 5 E-Tech.

We’re looking forward to seeing how VW’s ID.Up compares when the two go head to head in 2026.

Renault