Renault unveils Filante as flagship hybrid SUV, South Korea launch set for 2026
1 / 10Flagship Reveal: Renault has unveiled the Filante as its new flagship SUV, positioning it at the top of its global line-up under the €3 billion 2027 International Game Plan. The hybrid crossover signals Renault’s push into higher-value segments outside Europe, with a focus on South Korea and the Middle East, while also serving as a global model for selected international markets.
2 / 10Market Rollout: The automaker announced that the Renault Filante will go on sale in South Korea from March 2026, followed by expansion to Latin American and Gulf markets by early 2027. Production will take place at Renault’s Busan plant in South Korea. The launch sequence highlights Renault’s intention to expand its international presence through region-specific strategies.
3 / 10Platform Strategy: The Filante is based on Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture, reflecting Renault’s expanding partnerships with Chinese automakers to improve factory efficiency and competitiveness. Renault has already used the same platform for the Grand Koleos SUV, which has been produced and sold in South Korea since 2024, reinforcing platform-sharing as a core operational approach.
4 / 10Design Origins: Styled jointly by Renault’s Design Centre in Seoul and its Technocentre in France, the Filante adopts an SUV-coupe silhouette. Design elements include high ground clearance, a sloping roofline, a ducted rear spoiler, and a steeply raked rear windscreen. Renault positions it as the longest model in its range, measuring over 4.9 metres.
5 / 10Exterior Details: Exterior highlights include 19- or 20-inch wheels, an illuminated Renault emblem, hexagonal pod-style headlights, geometric grille patterns with LED lighting, and angular rear styling with 3D-effect LED taillights. The front fascia features a diamond-pattern grille and flush-fit lighting, while the rear carries slim lamps and a suspended spoiler.
6 / 10Cabin Layout: Inside, the Filante seats five occupants and offers a 633-litre boot, expandable to over 2,000 litres with seats folded. The dual-tone interior integrates blue accents across door cards, dashboard, seatbelts, and armrest. Materials include premium textiles and suede on the roofliner, with patterns used consistently throughout the cabin.
7 / 10Digital Features: The SUV features three 12.3-inch displays, including a front passenger screen, alongside a 25.6-inch augmented-reality head-up display. OpenR Link software supports individual driver profiles, while connectivity includes wireless charging, Bluetooth headphones for the passenger display, and the My Renault app. Audio options include Arkamys or Bose systems.
8 / 10Safety Systems: Renault equips the Filante with Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic parking assist, surround-view cameras, emergency steering assist, smart rear-view mirror, and child presence detection. These systems place the Filante among Renault’s most comprehensively equipped models to date.
9 / 10Hybrid Power: Power comes from an E-Tech hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, two electric motors, and a 1.64 kWh lithium-ion battery. Total output is rated at about 250 hp with torque figures reported up to 565 Nm, paired with a three-speed Multimode Auto gearbox. The setup prioritises efficiency over pure electric driving.
10 / 10Growth Context: Renault’s international strategy includes selling a 26.4% stake in its Brazilian unit to Geely to jointly produce cars for Latin America, where BYD is also expanding. The approach appears effective, with Renault-branded sales outside Europe rising 11% in 2025, compared with a 0.6% decline in 2024, company data showed.
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