Renault has taken another confident stride in its International Game Plan 2027, unveiling the name of its next high-end crossover for global markets. Called Filante, the upcoming E-segment model is positioned as a bold expression of the brand’s ambition beyond Europe, blending avant-garde design, advanced technology and a renewed focus on comfort and well-being.
Filante is the fifth of eight new vehicles planned under Renault’s international strategy, and it arrives as a clear symbol of the marque’s worldwide move upmarket. Conceived as a distinctive and daring crossover, the model has been designed to stand out in a competitive segment where presence, refinement and innovation matter more than ever.
The name itself carries weight and intention. “Filante” evokes motion, vastness and long-distance journeys, a semantic link to shooting stars and outer space that mirrors the vehicle’s stately proportions and sense of flow. According to Sylvia dos Santos, Naming Manager at Renault’s Global Marketing Department, the name was chosen for its ability to instantly suggest space, travel and elegance, all central themes in the vehicle’s identity.
Renault has also deliberately reconnected Filante with its heritage. Inspiration comes from the legendary Etoile Filante of 1956, a turbine-powered, aircraft-inspired single-seater built to chase speed records and push technological boundaries. With its sleek form and record-breaking achievements, including reaching 300 km/h over both one and five kilometres, the Etoile Filante became a symbol of Renault’s innovative spirit. The new crossover also nods to the Filante Record 2025 concept, which set a new benchmark for energy efficiency late last year, reinforcing the continuity between past innovation and future ambition.
At the heart of Filante’s development is South Korea, a market Renault views as strategically vital. Built at the Busan plant, the crossover will be launched initially in South Korea before being exported to other regions. This makes Filante the second new-generation model in the International Game Plan 2027 to be designed in Korea.
“Korea has exceptional strength in the D and E segments. This is why Korea is so important to Renault,” said Nicolas Paris, CEO of Renault Korea. “Filante illustrates our vision of a distinctive and daring crossover, a bold expression of Renault’s global move upmarket. It perfectly embodies the brand’s French roots.”
Full details of Renault Filante will be revealed on January 13 at 8 AM CET during a digital event broadcast live from Seoul. The unveiling will be available to watch live and on replay via Renault’s online event platform, offering a first in-depth look at a model that is set to play a pivotal role in the brand’s international future.
