- New Filante debuts in Korea as Renault’s flagship SUV.
- It rides on Geely’s CMA platform with hybrid-only power.
- Features self-charging tech with 247 hp and 565 Nm output.
Renault has pulled the wraps off a new model, but this one won’t be heading to Europe anytime soon. The Filante, revealed in South Korea, arrives as the French brand’s largest and most upmarket vehicle, blending sharp design with technology borrowed from Geely.
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Its name harks back to Renault’s history of land speed prototypes, while the badge, a stylized star, revives an emblem once used on the marque’s luxury cars of the 1930s. With the Filante, Renault is aiming for a better result than past premium outliers like the eccentric Vel Satis, which never quite caught on.
A New Look For Renault
The exterior design features a bold front end with modern LED lighting, a clean, aerodynamic profile, and a heavily contoured rear.
Measuring 4,915 mm (193.5 inches) in length with a 2,820 mm (111 inches) wheelbase, the Filante is longer than any Renault currently on sale. That includes the Austral, Espace, and Rafale in Europe, as well as the Grand Koleos offered locally in South Korea.
In fact, the Filante’s footprint is similar to premium SUVs positioned in the E-Segment, such as the Volvo XC90, Genesis GV80, Lexus RX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes GLE.
Inside The Cabin
Step inside and the centerpiece is a trio of 12.3-inch displays, stitched together into what Renault calls the “OpenR Panorama Screen.” That’s paired with a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display, forming a tech-forward dashboard layout that feels distinct from Renault’s European models, even though it also runs on Google’s Android-based infotainment system.
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Depending on trim level, features can include Arkamys or Bose audio systems, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone climate control. The wide footprint pays off in cabin space too, with ample room in the second row and a boot measuring 654 liters (23.1 cubic feet).
Chinese Platform and Hybrid System
As with the Grand Koleos, the Filante rides on the Geely-sourced CMA architecture. The same platform underpins the Volvo XC40, Polestar 2, and several models from Geely and Lynk & Co.
Renault’s E-Tech 250 hybrid setup combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter petrol engine with two electric motors, a three-speed DHT Pro automatic gearbox, and a 1.64 kWh battery. Total system output is 247 hp (184 kW / 250 PS) and 565 Nm (417 lb-ft) of torque. Unlike its sibling, there’s no internal combustion-only version of the Filante.
Production and Availability
Production is scheduled to begin at Renault’s Busan facility in South Korea, with a market launch planned for March 2026. Pricing details will follow closer to that date. The focus on size makes sense, given that D- and E-segment models represent over half (51.6%) of vehicle sales in South Korea.
Exports will begin in early 2027, with South America (Colombia, Chile, Uruguay) and the Gulf states set to receive the model. Europe, however, is off the list. Renault has confirmed that the Rafale coupe-SUV will continue as the flagship model in its home region.
