Renault 8 Gordini Concept reinterprets a 1960s classic
Renault is continuing to give us modern interpretations of some of its classic models as it gears up for the opening of the future Renault Collections museum in Flins late next year. It will see classic vehicles from its 128-year history made accessible to the general public
Dabbling in the revival of some of its classics, 2024 saw the reveal of the R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto concept car, which joined 2022’s Renault 5 Diamant art car created in collaboration with Pierre Gonalons.
Of course, the Renault 5 has been brought back in production form as an all-electric hatchback, winning awards and selling in the thousands as one of the most popular new models of recent times.
Now, we have the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, a tribute to the 1964 classic, which was an icon of French motorsport. Built as a two-seater electric coupé with a new characterful design, the model will be displayed on the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show, from 12 to 18 October 2026.
“The aim of this coupé is to inspire emotion and capture the imagination of all car enthusiasts”
Speaking ahead of its official reveal, Alexandre Malval, VP Design of Renault said: “With Renault 8 Gordini Concept, we wanted to spark emotion by drawing on both our heritage and modern times, bringing together the icons of yesterday and the future. This exercise in style sets out to reinvent Renault 8 Gordini for the modern day. The aim of this coupé is to inspire emotion and capture the imagination of all car enthusiasts. And when I talk about emotion, I’m not talking about nostalgia, but real passion for cars.”
Powertrain & Exterior Design
The Renault 8 Gordini concept draws on the 1964 original, giving it a motorsport-style design with a low and wide stance. Four doors are switched for two on this modern interpretation; however, one design aspect that gets retained is its double white stripe, which became iconic on the original.
Instead of the original’s 95 hp rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, the concept contains a 270hp electric powertrain.
Alexandre Malval, VP Design of Renault said of the design: “We updated the distinctive styling of the original Renault 8, which was virtually symmetrical from front to rear, to give it a more dynamic look. With the flowing cabin lines, wide track, prominent wings and wheels of 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear, it appears to hug the road. The decision to make the rear wheels larger creates a visual sense of momentum: a nod to the rear layout that was the hallmark of the hugely enjoyable ride delivered by the original.”
The concept also adopts the ‘cafe racer’ custom motorcycle trend, which sees non-essential features stripped out. Here, that is reflected in former chrome side moulding now integrated directly within the bodywork, while many split lines have been removed to give the vehicle a cleaner, sculpted shape.
Elements of the original 1964 Renault 8 Gordini lettering and badge have been retained, while a new ‘8’ emblem has been added.
Interior
Inside, a minimalist take on the original design sees a horizontal brushed aluminium strip across the dashboard, which runs across the width of the cabin. Plastic materials have been replaced by brushed aluminium where controls are used and on larger surface areas, contrasting with upholstered Alcantara sections.
Top stitching on the door panels echoes the kerbs of a racetrack, while the black bucket seats add to the sporty feel and are upholstered in blue corduroy.
Robin Biondi, interior designer, said: “We limited the number of parts inside the cabin, meticulously crafting each one with understated lines. They are part of both the structure and the trim. Nothing is superfluous.”
Will it be made into a production version?
There are no plans to create a production version of the 8 Gordini concept, with Renault describing its creation as “exploratory” and intended to “ reinterpret the Gordini heritage for the modern era and form part of the brand’s growing heritage collection”.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Renault