Renault Filante to be unveiled in March 2026: French brand’s new flagship hybrid SUV

After years without a true halo product at the top of its global portfolio, Renault has finally lifted the curtain on a new flagship crossover SUV — the Renault Filante. Unveiled in South Korea, the Filante is central to the French automaker’s ambitious 2027 International Game Plan, which focuses on rebuilding brand prestige and expanding Renault’s footprint across Asia, the Middle East, and select global markets.

Named after Renault’s historic land-speed record prototypes, the Filante marks the company’s formal re-entry into the premium SUV segment. It is a full-hybrid E-segment SUV that blends dramatic styling with advanced technology and a plush, lounge-like cabin. Renault is clearly aiming to challenge established luxury players such as the Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, and similar high-end SUVs.

From the outset, the Filante makes a strong visual statement. The front fascia is defined by sharp aerodynamic creases and a modern lighting signature that gives the SUV a commanding road presence. Crisp LED daytime running lights flank the bumper, while twin-barrel LED headlamps add depth to the design. The grille itself incorporates micro LED elements, lending the Filante a distinctive and futuristic identity.

Along the sides, the SUV features a sculpted profile with pronounced character lines that emphasise its length and width. These lines flow seamlessly into a layered rear design, highlighted by a large, sculpted bumper and a multi-level tail-lamp arrangement. Overall, the Filante’s design language is meant to project confidence, sophistication, and technological advancement.

Renault Filante: Technology and cabin

Step inside the Renault Filante, and the premium positioning becomes immediately evident. The cabin adopts a lounge-inspired theme, complete with contoured seating and an expansive glass roof that floods the interior with natural light. Renault has prioritised comfort and space, making the Filante the longest vehicle in its current lineup.

Measuring 4,915 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, the Filante offers generous interior dimensions. Rear-seat passengers benefit from 320 mm of legroom and 874 mm of headroom, while the boot offers a substantial 654 litres of cargo capacity — figures that comfortably place it among the most spacious SUVs in its class.

The dashboard follows a tiered, tech-forward layout dominated by three 12.3-inch digital displays dedicated to infotainment, the digital instrument cluster, and a front passenger screen. Complementing these is a massive 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display that projects key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight, enhancing both safety and convenience.

The overall cabin experience is designed to feel more like a high-end lounge than a conventional SUV interior, underlining Renault’s intent to appeal to buyers who value comfort, connectivity, and cutting-edge technology.

Renault Filante: Hybrid drivetrain

Under the skin, the Renault Filante is built on Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), a proven platform that also underpins models such as the Volvo XC40. This architecture allows Renault to combine performance, efficiency, and advanced electrification within a single package.

Powering the Filante is Renault’s E-Tech 250 full-hybrid system. The setup pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.64 kWh battery pack. The system is mated to a 3-speed DHT Pro automatic transmission, delivering a combined output of 247 hp and a substantial 565 Nm of peak torque.

This self-charging hybrid configuration is designed to offer smooth performance, strong low-end torque, and improved fuel efficiency without the need for external charging — a key advantage in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.

Renault has confirmed that production of the Filante will begin at its Busan manufacturing facility in South Korea, ahead of its global unveiling scheduled for March 2026. While an India launch has not been announced at this stage, the SUV will be exported to select South American markets and several Gulf countries.

With the Filante, Renault is not just launching a new SUV — it is attempting to redefine its global image, reasserting itself as a serious contender in the premium hybrid SUV segment.