Renault is bringing one of its most recognizable performance icons into the modern era with the new Renault 8 Gordini Concept, a fully electric two-door coupe inspired by the legendary Renault 8 Gordini of the 1960s.
Designed entirely by Renault’s in-house design team, the concept combines distinctive styling cues from the original Gordini with modern proportions, advanced materials and a 270-hp electric motor. Rather than simply recreating the classic car, Renault says the project is intended to capture the passion and excitement associated with the original model while giving the name a distinctly modern interpretation.
“Renault 8 Gordini Concept” is also part of Renault’s broader effort to keep its historic models relevant through contemporary design projects. The concept is expected to join the brand’s heritage collection at the future Renault Collections museum in Flins.
A Modern Take on the Renault 8 Gordini
The original Renault 8 Gordini debuted in 1964 with a 95-hp rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. Its combination of accessible performance and demanding handling made it an important performance car for a generation of enthusiasts and drivers, including rally legend Jean Ragnotti.
The Gordini formula also helped make serious performance more accessible before the arrival of the hot-hatch era. Its famous double white racing stripes eventually became one of the most recognizable features of the model.
The new concept takes a very different approach to proportions. While the original was a four-door sedan, the modern interpretation is a low-slung two-door coupe measuring 4.12 meters long, 1.88 meters wide and 1.27 meters tall.
The concept rides on 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels, giving it a planted stance inspired by modern rally cars. A wide rear section, prominent fenders and muscular bodywork emphasize its performance-focused character.
Underneath that retro-inspired body is a modern electric powertrain. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept is powered by a 270-hp electric motor, while its rear-mounted layout and rear-wheel-drive configuration echo one of the defining characteristics of the original Gordini.
More Than a Retro Design Exercise
Renault developed the concept completely in-house. The project began with an internal design competition that generated more than 300 sketches from Renault designers.
The proposals covered everything from traditional retro interpretations to futuristic designs and GT-inspired concepts. Two designs were eventually selected and developed as 2:5-scale models before their strongest elements were combined into the final design direction.
The result is a vehicle that references the original Renault 8 Gordini without attempting to reproduce its shape. Renault describes the design philosophy as having a “café racer” spirit, with unnecessary elements removed to emphasize the bodywork, materials and mechanical character.
That philosophy can be seen in details such as the integrated side molding, reduced body shut lines and a front hood that can be removed as a single piece, similar to certain racing cars.
Six Headlights and Classic Gordini Details
Despite its dramatically different proportions, the concept carries numerous recognizable Renault 8 Gordini design references.
The Gordini lettering has been redesigned using details inspired by the original badge, while a new segmented “8” emblem adds another connection to the classic model. Renault has also incorporated a crest inside the cabin as a reference to the original diamond-shaped emblem.
The recessed waistline of the original Renault 8 has been reinterpreted as an aerodynamic feature, helping direct airflow toward a new air vent. The rectangular wheel arches have also returned, giving the concept a more muscular profile.
One of the most distinctive features is the lighting. The original Gordini’s additional rally headlights have been transformed into a modern six-headlight arrangement, with three round lights on each side integrated directly into the front bodywork.
The rear lights are designed to sit almost flush with the body and are barely visible when switched off. Other classic references include the shell-shaped exterior mirrors, the full-width grille-like element at the base of the windshield and the rear ventilation grille.
The concept’s blue exterior is another deliberate reference to Gordini history. Renault says the color is inspired by the original Bleu de France, but has been modernized with a three-layer construction combining mother-of-pearl and a blue-tinted binder for additional depth.
The Famous Gordini Stripes Become Part of the Design
The classic double white stripe has not simply been added as a decorative graphic.
On the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, the stripe becomes a structural visual element that helps connect different parts of the vehicle. The design language continues through elements around the base of the windshield and into the rear lighting graphics.
Inside, the stripe continues across the top of the dashboard, changing from white to blue as it enters the passenger compartment.
A Minimalist, Driver-Focused Interior
The interior follows the same philosophy as the exterior, combining classic references with modern technology.
The dashboard features a horizontal brushed-aluminum element supporting a series of round digital displays. Their thick bezels are designed to echo the three-dimensional appearance of the exterior headlights.
Brushed aluminum replaces much of the conventional plastic trim, while Alcantara covers other surfaces. The minimalist cabin is deliberately focused on the driver, with limited visual clutter and a prominent red dot on the central stopwatch button providing one of the few bright accents.
The bucket seats also blend old and new ideas. Blue corduroy is used through the center sections of the seats, recalling the flat seats of the original Renault 8 Gordini, while the surrounding black upholstery and modern bucket-seat design give them a contemporary performance-car appearance.
Digital displays replace the original analog instruments, while indirect ambient lighting adds a high-tech element without overwhelming the minimalist cabin.
A Tribute to Amédée Gordini
The concept also pays homage to Amédée Gordini, the engineer and tuner whose work established the Gordini name within Renault’s performance heritage.
Gordini began working with Renault in 1957 on the Dauphine Gordini, increasing its engine output from 32 hp to 37 hp. His engineering work eventually led to the Renault 8 Gordini and helped establish the distinctive double-white-stripe identity associated with the brand’s performance models.
Renault 8 Gordini Concept therefore represents more than a styling exercise. It connects one of Renault’s most important performance-era models with the company’s electric future, using a 270-hp electric powertrain, rear-wheel-drive proportions and a modern interpretation of the design details that made the original Gordini famous.
For now, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept remains a design study, but it demonstrates how Renault can use its heritage as inspiration for new electric performance concepts without simply recreating the past.
