Renault Filante introduced as a new international flagship model

Renault has presented the Filante crossover as a new global flagship, outlining its role in the International Game Plan 2027 and key launch markets.

Renault Filante has emerged as one of the brand’s most illustrative projects in recent years, not simply because it is a crossover, but due to the strategic role it plays in Renault’s international ambitions. From the outset, the model was conceived as a global flagship for markets outside Europe and as a tangible expression of the Renault International Game Plan 2027.

The Filante was developed through close cooperation between Renault’s teams in France and South Korea, with a clear focus on international customers. Production will take place at the Renault Korea Motors plant in Busan, with South Korea becoming the first market when sales begin in March 2026. The rollout will then expand to Latin America, followed by the Gulf countries in early 2027.

At its core, the Filante is built on the CMA platform developed within the Geely ecosystem, an architecture already used across several international models. For Renault, this reflects a continued strategy of leveraging global platforms and partnerships to accelerate development and adapt vehicles to diverse regional demands. A similar approach was previously applied with the launch of the Grand Koleos.

Positioned in the E segment, the Filante targets customers for whom size and status are inseparable from comfort. Renault openly compares the cabin atmosphere to premium airline travel, an impression reinforced by interior architecture, quietness, generous space, and meticulous attention to detail.

The exterior design combines fluid surfaces with sharp, technical lines. A continuous shoulder line visually stretches the body, linking the assertive front end to an expressive rear section. Aerodynamic elements such as the sloping roof, suspended spoiler, and tapered rear not only define the dynamic stance but also underline an efficiency-oriented approach. The front is distinguished by an illuminated logo and a unique lighting signature, with light elements treated as standalone design objects set at a 28-degree angle that echoes the Renault emblem.

Inside, the Filante is shaped around the idea of an open and technologically refined space. A wide panoramic openR screen extends from the driver’s side to the passenger area, forming the digital centerpiece of the cabin. Materials, textures, and finishes have been selected to emphasize comfort and perceived quality. Rear passengers benefit from around 32 cm of knee room, while the panoramic glass roof enhances brightness and openness.

The technological offering goes beyond conventional solutions. The Filante features next-generation digital services, a 12.3-inch display, navigation-based recommendations, and extended reality functions for onboard scenarios, including gaming. Dedicated image-processing algorithms are used to enhance system performance and responsiveness.

Safety and passenger wellbeing are supported by a comprehensive set of 34 driver assistance systems. These include an emergency steering assist that improves evasive manoeuvres, a smart digital interior rearview mirror, and features designed to improve cabin air quality. Renault also highlights the use of environmentally friendly materials, including recycled components and alternatives to leather.

Power is provided by a new evolution of the full hybrid E-Tech system rated at 250 horsepower. While detailed technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, the hybrid configuration directly supports Renault’s objective that by 2027, one out of three vehicles sold outside Europe will be electrified or hybrid.

The Filante name itself draws on Renault’s engineering heritage. It recalls the Étoile Filante prototype of 1956, which set world speed records, as well as the Filante Record 2025 concept that demonstrated high electric efficiency over a distance exceeding 1,000 kilometres. In this context, the new crossover stands not merely as another model, but as a link between the brand’s past achievements and its future direction.

Within Renault’s international lineup, the Filante occupies the top position alongside models such as Kardian, Duster, Boreal, and Koleos. More than a product, it serves as a strategic instrument to strengthen the brand’s presence in key regions. The chosen direction suggests that the Filante is intended to define how Renault approaches global growth outside Europe—through hybrid technology, elevated comfort, and a confident, mature positioning.