by Renault has unveiled a new model, but it will not appear in Europe anytime soon. The Filante, shown in South Korea, becomes the largest and most premium car from the French brand, combining sharp design with technologies borrowed from Geely.
Its name takes us back to Renault’s history and its prototypes created for setting speed records, while the badge in the form of a stylized star revives the emblem once used on the brand’s luxury cars of the 1930s.
With the Filante, Renault is counting on a better outcome than from previous premium models like the eccentric Vel Satis, which never gained widespread popularity.
Renault’s New Look
The exterior design is characterized by a bold front end with modern LED lighting, a clean aerodynamic profile, and an intensely contoured rear.
Measuring 4,915 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, the Filante is longer than any Renault model currently on sale. This includes the Austral, Espace, and Rafale in Europe, as well as the Grand Koleos offered on the local South Korean market.
In fact, the Filante’s dimensions are similar to premium E-segment SUVs such as the Volvo XC90, Genesis GV80, Lexus RX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes GLE.
Car Interior
Inside, the central element is a trio of 12.3-inch displays combined into what Renault calls the “OpenR Panorama Screen.” It is complemented by a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display, forming a technologically advanced dashboard layout that differs from European Renault models, even despite using the same Google-based Android infotainment system.
Depending on the trim, options may include Arkamys or Bose audio systems, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone climate control. The large dimensions justify themselves with interior space: there is ample room in the second row, and the trunk volume is 654 liters.
Chinese Platform and Hybrid System
Like the Grand Koleos, the Filante is built on Geely’s CMA architecture. The same platform underpins the Volvo XC40, Polestar 2, and several models from Geely and Lynk & Co.
The Renault E-Tech 250 hybrid setup combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors, a three-speed DHT Pro automatic transmission, and a 1.64 kWh battery. The total system output is 247 hp (184 kW) and 565 Nm of torque. Unlike some other models, the Filante will not have a version with only an internal combustion engine.
Production and Availability
Production is set to begin at Renault’s plant in Busan, South Korea, with market launch planned for March 2026. Details regarding pricing will be announced closer to that date. The focus on size is fully justified, considering that D- and E-segment models account for over half (51.6%) of car sales in South Korea.
Export will begin in early 2027, with the model going to countries in South America (Colombia, Chile, Uruguay) and the Gulf states. However, Europe is not on the list. Renault confirmed that the Rafale coupe-SUV will remain the flagship model in the brand’s home region.
The arrival of the Filante demonstrates a shift in emphasis in Renault’s global strategy, where individual markets receive specialized products. While Europe is focused on electric vehicles and compact crossovers, regions such as Asia and South America show sustained demand for large, comfortable SUVs with hybrid powertrains. The success of this model could become an important test for future joint developments by Renault and Geely, aimed at satisfying specific regional preferences without directly conflicting with the European portfolio.
