The Renault 8 Gordini is back as an electric coupe. It has 270 horsepower and rear-wheel drive.
Renault unveiled an electric concept car inspired by the 1964 8 Gordini model. This two-seater coupe boasts 270 horsepower, a rear-mounted engine, and all-wheel drive, but it will remain a one-off vehicle. Its public debut is scheduled for September 24 at Renault Carwalk, followed by the Paris Motor Show from October 12 to 18, 2026.
The French brand once again turned to its own archives, but this time it is not creating a successor to the Renault 4 or Renault 5. The new Gordini is intended to showcase the capabilities of designers and remind people that an electric car doesn’t have to look like yet another family crossover.
A two-seater coupe born from a family sedan
The original Renault 8 was a four-door sedan with an engine placed at the rear. The Gordini version debuted in 1964 and featured a more powerful engine, lowered suspension, larger brakes, and a distinctive blue body with white stripes. The engine produced around 95 horsepower, nearly twice that of the base model.
The new concept retains the drivetrain layout of its predecessor, at least in general terms. The electric engine is located at the rear and delivers power solely to the rear wheels. It has 198 kW, or 270 horsepower. Renault has not disclosed the torque, battery capacity, range, or performance figures.
Renault 8 Gordini Concept
Specifications
Drive
rear-wheel drive
Engine
1 electric engine, at the rear
Power
198 kW, 270 horsepower
Length
4.12 m
Width
1.88 m
Height
1.27 m
Front wheels
19 inches
Rear wheels
20 inches
Seating capacity
2
Body
carbon fiber
Status
single concept car
The proportions are much more sporty than those of a 1960s car. The vehicle is 4.12 meters long and 1.88 meters wide, but only 1.27 meters high. The front wheels are 19 inches in diameter, while the rear ones are 20 inches. The short, tall body of the original model was replaced by a wide coupe that resembles an exaggerated off-road vehicle.
The body is made of carbon fiber. At the front, there are six round LED headlights, a central bulge, and a nose without a traditional radiator grille. At the back, the lights hidden within the body catch attention when turned off, along with an air vent grille, a roof spoiler, and a large diffuser. Of course, the blue paint with white stripes remains unchanged.
Six clocks instead of a large screen
The cabin features two bucket seats finished in black and blue stitching. Alcantara is used on the door panels, while the dashboard is made of brushed aluminum.
Renault has done without a large display in the center of the cockpit. Six round gauges, each with a thick frame, are placed in front of the driver. Between the seats is an aluminum console with physical switches, and there’s even a stopwatch on the dashboard. This is a cabin designed around driving the car, not watching its multimedia animations.
The styling aims to evoke café racer motorcycles. In practice, it also incorporates elements of classic rally cars: simple instruments, few decorations, bucket seats, and nothing that could distract the driver. It’s a shame there won’t be a chance to see if the appearance matches the driving experience.
It was created after a competition involving over 300 sketches
Renault took this project more seriously than a typical digital showcase. In an internal competition, designers submitted over 300 sketches. The two best proposals were built as 2:5 scale models, and the final car combined selected elements from both designs.
The manufacturer immediately clarified that the Renault 8 Gordini Concept will not go on sale. It joins projects like the electric Renault R17 created from Ora Ïto and the artistic Renault 5 Diamant. It is also not a preview of a production coupe based on the Renault 5 platform.
After its debut at Renault Carwalk, the car will appear at the Paris auto show. It is intended for the new Renault Collections museum in Flins, which is scheduled to open to the public in about 15 months.
Renault won’t sell this car, but it might use its analog cockpit and proportions in future models. Would a production electric coupe in the style of the Renault 8 Gordini make more sense than another SUV?
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