Renault revives record-breaking spirit of 1920s with electric Z41, aims for 1000km on single charge at 100kph
Rethinking the future oof electric vehicles with lightweight testbed EV
Not so long ago, Renault had a clear policy of ignoring its rich heritage when planning ahead, but the volte-face with the Renault 5, following CEO Luc de Meo’s arrival in 2020, proved that reviving its greatest hits is most definitely the way forward. Some might say the French carmaker has rediscovered its je ne sais quoi, and with the forthcoming retro-modern R4 and Twingo, the brand is very much on a roll.
Now, Renault is embracing its more ancient sporting history with both hands, too, with the latest effort delving deep into the brand’s past while also looking to the future. This summer, the company is aiming to claim a new record for averaging 100kph (62mph) over 1000km (620 miles) with an electric vehicle on a single charge.
To do this, it has taken inspiration from three of its former record-breakers: the Nervasport des Records, which in 1934 broke nine international records and three world records, including 8,037km (4,994 miles) over 48 hours, at an average of 104.045mph (stops included); the Étoile Filante, which averaged 190.7mph at Bonneville in 1956; and the 40 CV des Records, which was first run in 1925 but is perhaps best remembered for covering 2,589.6 miles over 24 hours at an average speed of 107.9mph, in 1926.
While there are clear visual links between the new Renault record-breaker, codenamed Z41, and both the 40 CV and Nervasport — including the round headlamps, pointed grille, single-seat layout, wheels separated from the 5m-plus streamlined body and striking blue paintwork — the Z41 is a very different machine indeed.
For one, while the 40 CV was sold with coachbuilt bodies to customers for use on the road (and what a wild thing that would have been a century ago), there aren’t expected to be any street legal versions of the Z41; Renault describes it simply as “a demo car and laboratory on wheels for electric efficiency.”
And clearly the structure and materials are all thoroughly modern. The CV40 des Records featured canvas body panels at the rear of the car, to help reduce weight, but today’s cutting edge materials have been used in the Z41 for lightweighting, with surfaces also designed for optimal airflow. These include its wheel fairings and jet fighter-inspired bubble cabin, giving the Z41 a very modern, high tech look. Renault is collaborating with Ligier Automotive to maximise the aero-efficiency of the vehicle, it said.
And instead of a wild 9.1-litre, six-cylinder aircraft-derived engine under a lengthy bonnet, the new car will be powered by one or more electric motors. The number and specification of motors, and which wheels will be driven have not been announced but in theory a single motor would suffice for an endurance run.
Renault has confirmed the energy capacity of its battery pack, though: 87kWh, which is equal to that of the Renault Scenic E-Tech production family car. In the Scenic, 87kWh is enough to take it up to 379 miles per charge, according to the official figures, which makes the 620 miles target, at an average of 62mph, all the more impressive. The pack itself will make up 600kg of the total weight, and will be mounted under the driver, with their legs positioned over a number of modules for improved packaging.
Aside from the air-honed body, helping the Z41 achieve the 620-mile goal is a target weight of under one tonne, which is made possible through the use of ultra-lightweight materials and construction. The driver’s seat, for example, is made from stretched canvas, while the steering wheel is connected to the cockpit via a 3D printed structure made of Scallmalloy — an alloy made from scandium, aluminium and magnesium that offers high energy density while being feather light. Other components on the car will use the same technique.
Also helping keep weight down will be a chassis made from aluminium, carbon and steel alloys, which have been “optimally combined” via complex computer simulations “to reduce component cross-sections to the minimum necessary to withstand mechanical stress while maintaining maximum strength.” There’s also a steer- and brake-by-wire system, reducing the need for physical connections, and an innovative air circulation system to ventilate the cockpit.
Another crucial element of the car will be its 19in tyres, which have been developed with Michelin to reduce rolling resistance, with a coefficient 40 per cent lower than a conventional vehicle tyre, according to the manufacturer.
The Renault Z41’s final name was not confirmed at the time of writing but with the word “Filante” prominently displayed on the exterior and interior of the car, you can bet that’ll be the final decision. The word is often shorthand for “étoile filante”, which means shooting star in English.
“In this centenary year of the first records claimed by the 40 CV des Records, our Renault Z41 demo car is a direct tribute to the heritage of the brand, which has always used motorsports and records as a way to drive technological innovation and future developments,” said Sylvia Dos Santos, head of naming strategy within Renault’s global marketing division.
“Today, we’re reviewing our approach to the concepts of boundaries and performance, updating them for modern times. With the Z41, we’re no longer talking about speed or endurance records, but about efficiency and lightness, so we can rethink the future of electric vehicles.
“The name is also a nod to the brand identity, which is extremely important to us. In 1925, Renault adopted a diamond-shaped logo to replace the circle previously used. The 40 CV des Records was one of the first vehicles to feature the new diamond-shaped logo … so it was definitely a good idea to add this year’s mention to the name of the demo car.”
The car will be on show at the Rétromobile motor show in Paris next week, before setting out to establish its new record for efficiency in “the first half of the year” — thought to be around the month of June. It may also make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in July, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Related articles
- If you were interested in the Renault electric record-breaking car, codenamed Z41, you might also like to check out this story about the electric production car that set a new world record by travelling 570 miles on single charge
- Also check out our review of the Renault 5: a fun, affordable electric car to ignite the small EV market
- And did you know the brand is set to bring back the Renault 5 Turbo, with in-wheel electric motors and supercar performance?
Latest articles
- Chancellor announces £55m for kerbside EV charging
- Renault revives record-breaking spirit of 1920s with electric Z41, aims for 1000km on single charge at 100kph
- Porsche 911 GT3 2025 review: Bittersweet moment as brilliant performance model draws line under legendary GT3 lineage
- BMW M3 CS now available as an estate with 542bhp, all-wheel drive and all the carbon fibre
- Updated BMW iX goes 426 miles per charge, gets 650bhp … but the design still divides
- Six in ten drivers don’t fully understand insurance excesses
- KGM Actyon 2025 review: Korean brand rises from Ssangyong’s ashes with surprisingly accomplished Sportage rival
- Citroën C4 2025 review: More than a left-field Golf alternative?
- Half of drivers stopped on suspicion of drug driving fail the roadside test
