The electric Renault 8 Gordini could move from prototype to production model.

Renault aims to revive part of its sporting legacy through a formula that combines classic designs, electric engines, and limited production. The French brand has long explored new ways to give its models a distinct personality, with concepts that move away from conventional electric cars and seek to restore the appeal of sports cars from earlier eras.

The latest example is the Renault 8 Gordini, a prototype unveiled at the Paris Motor Show that draws inspiration from one of the most iconic versions in the brand’s history. Although it remains a design concept for now, the positive response to this idea has opened the door for Renault to consider taking it beyond the auto show.

The Renault 8 Gordini could follow in the footsteps of the 5 Turbo 3E

Fabrice Cambolive, Renault’s CEO, has acknowledged that the Renault 8 Gordini could become one of the opportunities to expand the brand’s new lineup of electric sports cars. However, before making a decision, the company wants to focus on launching the Renault 5 Turbo 3E and delivering its first units.

This latest model represents a particularly ambitious effort to revive the spirit of Renault’s most radical sports cars. Developed on Alpine’s new Alpine Performance Platform (APP), designed for its upcoming sports vehicles, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E features two electric motors integrated into the rear wheels, delivering a combined power output of 533 horsepower. Production will be limited to 1,980 units, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2028.

Cambolive believes that such proposals can demonstrate that an electric car can also offer driving pleasure and evoke emotions. The executive acknowledges that bringing Gordini’s legacy into electric mobility represents a significant challenge, but argues that Renault should be able to develop small series of sports cars that stand out for their character as much as their performance.

Therefore, the Renault 8 Gordini has not yet received the green light to reach dealerships. The brand’s priority is to complete the commercial development of the 5 Turbo 3E and see how the market responds to such a unique offering. If the concept proves successful, the new Gordini could become Renault’s next limited-production electric sports car, though no final decision has been made yet.

A classic-inspired electric coupe with 270 horsepower

The Renault 8 Gordini Concept revives the image of the historic model while completely transforming its design approach. Unlike the original four-door sedan, this prototype features a two-seater coupe body with a low and wide silhouette reminiscent of rally cars. It measures 4.12 meters in length, 1.88 meters in width, and 1.27 meters in height, with 19-inch tires at the front and 20-inch tires at the back.

The front features round headlights reminiscent of the original Renault 8, along with new lower projectors. The body is painted in Gordini’s traditional blue color with two vertical white stripes, a hallmark of this sports car line. At the rear, the headlights are integrated into the body and become visually hidden when the car is turned off—a solution Renault intends to explore for future production models.

The interior retains that sporty focus, with bucket seats, an aluminum dashboard, and round digital displays. It also features physical controls, classic-style switches, and a central console with metallic accents. Even the passenger’s footwell includes a surface inspired by racing cars, a detail that reinforces the prototype’s character without relying on an overly futuristic design.

On the mechanical side, Renault has announced an electric motor producing 270 horsepower, though it hasn’t provided details on battery capacity, range, or charging times. There are also no official figures for acceleration, nor confirmation that this technical setup will be retained in a potential production model.

Renault’s design chief, Alexandre Malval, is focused on reviving the spirit of the original model rather than merely replicating its shape. The goal is to create a compact, agile sports car that offers great driving sensations rather than solely aiming for the fastest lap times on circuits.

For now, however, Renault insists that the 8 Gordini is a one-of-a-kind piece and has no confirmed plans to sell it. The prototype will eventually become part of the brand’s future museum in Flins, France, where it will be displayed alongside other historic models. Whether this decision changes will depend, among other factors, on public reception and the commercial performance of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E.