Renault 8 Gordini Reborn as 270 HP Electric Rally Concept — SkimNews
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- Renault launched the all-electric Gordini 8 concept, reviving the 1964 Renault 8 Gordini and packing it with 270 hp of electric power, modern suspension, prominent wings, and 19-inch front / 20-inch rear wheels
- The original Renault 8 Gordini debuted in 1964 with just 95 hp from a four-cylinder engine mounted behind the rear axle, and earned a reputation as a squirrely, snap-oversteer-prone training car for motorsports legends including French Rally Champion Jean Ragnotti
- Renault VP of Design Alexandre Malval said the concept preserves the original's near front-to-rear symmetry while adding flowing cabin lines, a wide track, and larger rear wheels to create a visual sense of momentum nodding to the original's rear-engine layout
- Renault's design team generated more than 300 sketches for the Gordini project, narrowed to two finalists that were merged into what the company calls "a new blueprint" combining the best of each proposal
- Color and materials designer Thomas Altet explained the concept's blue is inspired by "Bleu de France," the original Gordini's signature shade, applied via a three-layer construction that combines mother-of-pearl with a blue-tinted binder for depth and richness
- The interior carries rally-ready design details that Renault says underscore the concept's serious sporting intent
Why it matters: The new concept nearly triples the 1964 original's 95 hp output with 270 electric horsepower, and the design team's 300+ sketches plus bespoke three-layer paint show Renault treating heritage nameplates as a serious design platform rather than a quick styling exercise — part of a broader pattern of electrified retro revivals from the brand.
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