Forget charging because the new Renault Filante is a self-charging premium crossover
Published on Jan 15, 2026 at 8:59 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Jan 15, 2026 at 8:59 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Molly Davidson
Renault has a new global flagship, and it looks like it was designed for an electric future.
The Filante is sleek, premium, and loaded with screens and tech.
It’s also the centerpiece of Renault’s next big push outside Europe.
But the most important choice Renault made here isn’t how it looks, it’s how it’s powered.
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Why the Filante doesn’t need to be plugged in
Despite the EV-adjacent design, the Renault Filante doesn’t plug in at all.
Instead, it launches with an upgraded full hybrid E-Tech 250hp powertrain, which Renault is very clear about: it delivers electric driving ‘without the need for external charging.’
The setup pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors integrated into Renault’s new DHT Pro automatic transmission.
Together, they produce 250 horsepower and up to 565Nm of torque.
A compact 1.64kWh battery sits at the heart of the system, constantly recharged through braking and driving rather than a wall socket.
The Filante always starts in electric mode, and Renault says it can handle up to 75 percent of city driving on electric power alone, depending on conditions.
That’s the trick here.
In daily urban use, it behaves like an EV.
On longer trips, the petrol engine takes over without changing how the driver does anything.
Renault claims fuel consumption is reduced by up to 50 percent compared with an equivalent non-hybrid petrol crossover, with CO₂ emissions rated at 106g/km.
The three-speed DHT Pro gearbox manages the switching between power sources, prioritizing smoothness over sporty theatrics.
It’s not about chasing headline acceleration numbers, it’s about making electrification feel invisible.
A hybrid flagship for global markets
Filante isn’t just a new model, it’s a strategy car.
Renault positions it as a central pillar of its 2027 International Game Plan, which includes launching eight new vehicles outside Europe between 2024 and 2027.
The brand wants one in three international sales to be hybrid or electric by then.
The rollout starts in South Korea in March 2026, with South America and the Gulf States following in early 2027.
That’s why Filante is built at Renault’s Busan plant and developed with local expectations in mind.
It sits in the E segment, where larger vehicles dominate, and backs up its premium ambition with design and tech rather than badges.
There’s the illuminated diamond grille, ultra-slim lighting, and a coupe-style rear.
Inside, three 12.3-inch screens stretch across the dash, joined by a massive augmented-reality head-up display.
Add more than 30 advanced driver assistance systems, including new collision avoidance tech and child presence detection, and the message is clear.
Filante isn’t Renault hedging its bets, it’s the company betting that self-charging hybrids are still the fastest route to premium, global scale.
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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
