Renault 8 Gordini Concept revives 1964 icon
Renault has unveiled a one-off electric concept car, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, a 270 hp rear-wheel-drive coupe that reinterprets the 1964 original
Renault has revealed the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, a one-off battery-electric coupe. The concept is a 270 hp rear-wheel-drive vehicle measuring 4.12 meters long, 1.88 meters wide, and 1.27 meters tall.
The design blends the original model's boxy form with modern electric styling and café racer influences. It features a grille-less V-shaped nose with six round LED headlights. A full-width element sits at the base of the windshield. The car has wide fenders, sporty bumper intakes, and flush taillights that disappear into the bodywork. Shell-shaped wing mirrors are a nod to the 1964 car. The original Renault 8 was a four-door sedan, but the concept adopts a more dynamic two-door stance. Renault states the design draws from the café racer aesthetic seen in custom motorcycles.
Powertrain and layout
The concept features a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 270 horsepower to the rear wheels. This layout mirrors the original Renault 8 Gordini, which debuted in 1964 with a rear-mounted, 95-horsepower engine driving the rear wheels. The original was the high-performance version of a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive family sedan.
Dimensions and chassis
The concept's dimensions and wheel setup contribute to its wide, planted stance. It rides on staggered alloy wheels with a wider track and more prominent wheelarches than the original.
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.12 m (162 in) |
| Width | 1.88 m (74 in) |
| Height | 1.27 m (50 in) |
| Front Wheels | 19-inch |
| Rear Wheels | 20-inch |
Interior and materials
Inside, the cabin features a driver-focused layout designed to minimize distractions. A pair of bucket seats are upholstered in black and blue corduroy. The dashboard mounts three main dials and three secondary displays, accented by a full-width brushed aluminium strip. Brushed aluminium also replaces plastic on the centre console, which houses air-conditioning and transmission controls. The carbon-fibre bodywork is not visible from the passenger compartment.
Heritage and designer intent
Roman Gauvin, Renault's chief designer for advanced design, positioned the concept as an honest revival of the original's spirit. "The original 8 was a very humble car, a sort of working class hero. We wanted to keep that honesty for this concept," Gauvin said. He emphasized the concept is approachable and fun-focused rather than an extreme performance machine. "It’s about how we position ourselves against sports car brands: for us, it’s the fun factor."
The original 1964 Gordini featured an upgraded engine with nearly double the horsepower of the standard car, a lowered suspension, beefier brakes, and iconic blue paint with white racing stripes. Renault is currently reimagining its heritage through electric concepts as it expands its EV lineup with production models like the R4 and R5. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept remains a pure design exercise with no plans for production.
