Battery-powered Gordini, but with character. Renault shows how to revive an icon of motorsport

Following the iconic “5” model that received an electric version and the R17, Renault turns to its own history once again, but instead of copying the past, it attempts to reinterpret it. The latest concept from the French brand, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, brings one of France’s greatest motorsport icons into the era of electric vehicles. The result? A two-seater coupe with 270 horsepower and a style inspired by modern rally cars.

In short:

Renault revisits its history and tries to reinterpret it

The French manufacturer brings one of France’s greatest motorsport icons into the electric vehicle era

It’s the Renault 8 Gordini Concept with 270 horsepower in electric form

The prototype was the Renault 8 Gordini, introduced in 1964

The Gordini looks fantastic!

For several years, Renault has been consistently building a bridge between its rich history and the future. Following the Renault 5 Diamant concept and the electric restomod of the Renault R17 created in collaboration with designer Ora Ïto, it’s time for another model that holds near-cult status among many fans of the brand. However, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept is not a traditional retroproject. It’s rather an attempt to answer the question of what “Gorde” might look like if it had been born in 2026.

It is no coincidence that this model became the star of the latest project. The original Renault 8 Gordini, introduced in 1964, was a truly exceptional car. This compact sedan with a rear-mounted engine producing 95 horsepower and rear-wheel drive delivered performance that surpassed expectations for a vehicle of its class. At the same time, it demanded high skill from the driver. It served as a school for sports driving for an entire generation of French drivers. Among them was the famous rally driver Jean Ragnotti, the company recalls.

For Renault, the significance of this model extended beyond mere performance. Giving a sporty version of a production car the name Amédée Gordini made sportsmanship more accessible long before the era of hot hatches and GTI models. The car’s signature feature also became the double white stripes running across its body.

Soul with a History

The new concept retains the spirit of its predecessor, though it is a completely different car in terms of proportions. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept measures 4.12 meters in length, 1.88 meters in width, and just 1.27 meters in height. It is a two-door, two-seater coupe with a very wide wheelbase and muscular proportions. 19-inch wheels are used at the front, while 20-inch wheels are installed at the rear. Combined with its low-slung body line, it resembles a modern rally car more than an elegant classic from the 1960s.

An electric drive system delivering 270 horsepower powers the vehicle beneath its bodyshell. Renault does not disclose performance figures or battery specifications, but it emphasizes that the concept is designed as a modern interpretation of a car that provides pure driving pleasure.

– With the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, we wanted to evoke emotions by drawing from both heritage and modernity, connecting icons of the past with the future. This project aims to reinterpret the Renault 8 Gordini for our times. We wanted to create a car that will spark the imagination of all automotive enthusiasts. When I talk about emotions, I’m not referring to nostalgia, but true passion for cars – emphasized Alexandre Malval, Renault’s design director.

Café racer aesthetics

Interestingly, the car was developed entirely within the company. Unlike the Renault R17, which was created in collaboration with Alfa Romeo, the Gordini design resulted from an internal competition at the brand’s styling center. Renault states that designers spontaneously submitted over 300 sketches. Both stylistically faithful reinterpretations and highly futuristic concepts were considered. Ultimately, two designs were chosen, developed into scale models, and then combined into a single concept.

The stylists opted for the “café racer” aesthetic, best known from the world of custom motorcycles. Its core principle is to eliminate everything unnecessary while highlighting the vehicle’s structure and materials. As a result, numerous decorative elements from the original Renault 8 were integrated into the car’s body rather than functioning as separate accessories.

At the same time, the concept features subtle references to the historic model. The distinctive rectangular wheels, shape of the front bumper, six round headlights inspired by Gordini rally versions, and the characteristic grille at the base of the front windshield were all retained. There is also a refreshed Gordini logo and a new design for the number eight symbol.

"We transformed the distinctive styling of the original Renault 8, which was almost symmetrical at the front and back, to give it a more dynamic look. The wide wheelbase, prominently featured fenders, and 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the back make the car literally stick to the road," explains Alexandre Malval.

Carefully crafted interior

The color of the bodywork draws special attention. The designers were inspired by the historical shade of Bleu de France, which is inseparably linked to the Renault 8 Gordini. According to Thomas Altet, who is in charge of colors and materials, the modern interpretation uses a multi-layered paint structure with the addition of pearl paste, allowing the historical blue to appear as if it is “emerging” from the surface of the bodywork under light.

The interior was also crafted with great care. In line with the “café racer” philosophy, the number of elements was reduced to a minimum. Brushed aluminum, Alcantara, and digital gauges enclosed in circular casings reminiscent of classic clocks dominate the interior. The bucket seats with blue inserts that echo those of the historical model are also worth noting.

"We were inspired by the dashboard of the original Renault 8, reinterpreting its most distinctive elements. The result is a modern and elegant design that still maintains a clear connection to the past," added Stéphane Maiore, Renault’s head of interior design.

When will we see a modern Gordini?

The Gordini Concept 8 was officially unveiled on September 24 during Renault Carwalk, and will later be displayed at the brand’s booth at the Paris auto show, which takes place from October 12-18, 2026.

Whether this concept sees a series production version down the road—something we hope for—it already plays an important role today by proving that in the era of electric vehicles, brands can still create excitement around their own history. The French did the same with the iconic “5.” With great success.

Oskar Włostowski

Photo by Renault