The Renault 8 Gordini Concept brings a celebrated 1960s European rally icon back in electric form, combining familiar styling cues with a radically different technical setup. Renault plans to unveil the one-off concept at the Paris Motor Show, but it has no plans to put the car into production.
From 1960s Rally Icon to Electric Concept
Released in 1964, the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive Renault 8 Gordini became a legend of the European rally scene during the 1960s. Tuner Amédée Gordini transformed regular Renault 8 models, more than doubling the output of their small 1.1-liter engines.
By 1967, Gordini-tuned Renault 8s featured a five-speed gearbox, 110 horsepower and a top speed of 109 mph. The new concept pays clear visual tribute to that era while sharing little, if anything, with the original car from a technical standpoint.
The Renault 8 Gordini Returns as an EV
The biggest change is beneath the bodywork. Instead of an internal-combustion engine, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept uses an electric motor mounted at the rear, with a hypothetical output of up to 270 horsepower.
The concept rides on 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear. Its V-shaped nose and headlight arrangement closely echo the classic Renault 8 Gordini, while the designers took considerably more creative freedom with the boxy rear section.
The exterior also carries a clear reference to the original car, featuring a blue base with white stripes running from front to back along the left-hand side. However, unlike the four-door sedan of the 1960s, the electric concept is designed as a two-door coupe.
A Modern Interior With Classic Inspiration
Inside, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept combines brushed aluminum with Alcantara. The cabin also features round digital dials and a pair of bucket seats, giving the concept a distinctly modern interpretation of the classic Gordini theme.
Renault Has No Production Plans
Despite its striking design, Renault has no plans to produce the Gordini Concept. The car is a one-off tribute to Amédée Gordini and forms part of a series celebrating Renault’s history, alongside concepts such as the R17 electric restomod.
The concept originated from an in-house competition in which Renault designers submitted more than 300 sketches. Two designs were ultimately selected and combined to create the vehicle unveiled as the Renault 8 Gordini Concept.
While a production version could appeal to some enthusiasts, the concept’s electric powertrain and distinctive design would make it a challenging proposition. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept therefore remains a one-off celebration of the brand’s history rather than a model destined for production.
