Renault has been dropping jaws with its all-electric retro redos in recent years, and someone over there has seem committed to keeping the party going with the launch of this all-new Renault Gordini 8 concept EV.
Launched in 1964, the original Renault 8 Gordini packed a 95 hp four-cylinder engine mounted behind the rear axle. It was unimaginabely squirrely at the limit, with snap oversteer that could fill a driver’s heart with fear – especially on slick or gravelly roads. In the right hands, however, la Gorde delivered genuine racing performance and earned a reputation as an excellent “training car” for a generation of motorsports legends that includes French Rally Champion Jean Ragnotti.
This newest version carries over the iconic look of the original, but packs it with modern electric power – 270 horses’ worth, in fact – paired with modern suspension, wheels, and wings to keep the thing planted.
“We updated the distinctive styling of the original Renault 8, which was virtually symmetrical from front to rear, to give it a more dynamic look. With the flowing cabin lines, wide track, prominent wings and wheels of 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear, it appears to hug the road,” explains Alexandre Malval, VP Design, Renault. “The decision to make the rear wheels larger creates a visual sense of momentum: a nod to the rear layout that was the hallmark of the hugely enjoyable ride delivered by the original.”
It’s got the look
Renault says its design team delivered more than 300 sketches “spontaneously” for the Gordini project, with concepts that fused heritage styling with a modern edge, or even more GT-inspired looks. From these 300 or so proposals, two moved forward, with the made it possible to compare the two and create what the company calls, “a new blueprint,” bringing together the best of each one.
On its way to construction, every detail was considered – even the “Renault blue” isn’t quite the Renault blue used in classics like the Clio Williams or even the newer Filante Record 2025 or chic Beach electric concepts.
“The colour of the concept car was inspired by Bleu de France, the signature colour of the original Renault 8 Gordini,” says Thomas Altet, colour and materials designer. “This modern reboot is based on a construction in three layers, combining mother-of-pearl with a blue-tinted binder for greater depth and richness. Under the light, the historic shade of blue can be glimpsed along the edges, revealing in full the sculpted lines of the bodywork.”
The retro nods continue inside, with rally-ready design details that underscore the serious sporting intention of the new Gordini concept. You can take a look at those for yourself, below, then let us know what you think of the latest rally revival in the comments.
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