Renault has been dropping jaws with its all-electric retro redos in recent years, and someone over there has seem committed to keeping the party going with the launch of this all-new Renault Gordini 8 concept EV. Launched in 1964, the original Renault 8 Gordini packed a 95 hp four-cylinder engine mounted behind the rear axle. It was unimaginabely squirrely at the limit, with snap oversteer that could fill a driver’s heart with fear – especially on slick or gravelly roads. In the right hands, however, la Gorde delivered genuine racing performance and earned a reputation as an excellent “training car” for a generation of motorsports legends that includes French Rally Champion Jean Ragnotti. This newest version carries over the iconic look of the original, but packs it with modern electric power – 270 horses’ worth, in fact – paired with modern suspension, wheels, and wings to keep the thing planted. “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,” explains Alexandre Malval, VP Design, Renault. “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.” Advertisement - scroll for more content It’s got the look Renault says its design team delivered more than 300 sketches “spontaneously” for the Gordini project, with concepts that fused heritage styling with a modern edge, or even more GT-inspired looks. From these 300 or so proposals, two moved forward, with the made it possible to compare the two and create what the company calls, “a new blueprint,” bringing together the best of each one. On its way to construction, every detail was considered – even the “Renault blue” isn’t quite the Renault blue used in classics like the Clio Williams or even the newer Filante Record 2025 or chic Beach electric concepts. “The colour of the concept car was inspired by Bleu de France, the signature colour of the original Renault 8 Gordini,” says Thomas Altet, colour and materials designer. “This modern reboot is based on a construction in three layers, combining mother-of-pearl with a blue-tinted binder for greater depth and richness. Under the light, the historic shade of blue can be glimpsed along the edges, revealing in full the sculpted lines of the bodywork.” The retro nods continue inside, with rally-ready design details that underscore the serious sporting intention of the new Gordini concept. You can take a look at those for yourself, below, then let us know what you think of the latest rally revival in the comments. The office If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.
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