spaceship
Étoile Filante
THE SKY’S
THE LIMIT
THE SKY’S
THE LIMIT
After the Second World War, aeronautical design was highly popular. Renault enthusiastically embraced this trend with experiments to adapt aeronautical technologies to the automotive sector. Renault Etoile Filante is a prime example of the era’s endeavours.
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spirit
JET
JET
French company Turboméca became known for its turbine engines in the post-war period. Its head, Monsieur de Szidlowski, was convinced that this technology had a future and was eager to share it with the public. His idea was to convince Renault to use his technology (a clever marketing strategy!). Casting aside his doubts, Pierre Lefaucheux, then head of Renault, agreed to give it a try.
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interior
A BIT OF A
CRAZY
EXPERIENCE
A BIT OF A
CRAZY
EXPERIENCE
Renault entrusted the production of this experimental car to three experienced professionals: Fernand Picard, head of research, Albert Lory, an engine manufacturer, and Jean Hébert, engineer and driver. The outcome was Renault Etoile Filante, built around a 270 hp turbine engine. This powered an extremely streamlined, lightweight polyester-clad body (the car was required to remain below the 1,000 kg weight mark to aim for the record it had its eye on).
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archives
END OF THE
TURBINE
END OF THE
TURBINE
Despite the speed records, the turbine proved to be ill-suited to motor vehicle needs. As a result, all the carmakers who had shown an interest, Renault included, eventually pulled out.
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exploits
4 TIMES
FASTER
4 TIMES
FASTER
Imagine the scene on 5 September 1956 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States. The whistle of an engine, a flash of blue and moments later, four world records are broken! Renault Etoile Filante had exceeded 300 kph, over the 1 km and 5 km distances, completed in 306.9 kph and 308.85 kph respectively! 65 years later, two of Renault Etoile Filante’s records still stand (306.902 kph over 1 kilometre, and 307.707 kph over 1 mile)!
technical features
TURBOMECA
TURMO TURBINE
WITH 270 HP
TURBOMECA
TURMO TURBINE
WITH 270 HP
- production
2
- Performance and engine
Turbomeca Turmo turbine with 270 hp
around 330 kph
- dimensionsLength 4,84 mWidth 1,81 mHeight 1,10 m
- architecture
single-seater with tubular structure
polyester bodywork
The Originals Store
RENAULT PASSION NOW
HAS ITS OWN STORE!
RENAULT PASSION NOW
HAS ITS OWN STORE!
A Renault fan or just a classic car enthusiast? There’s something here for you!
heritage
BACK TO
THE FLATS
BACK TO
THE FLATS
In 2016, Renault Etoile Filante celebrated the 60th anniversary of its record-breaking achievements with a return trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. During Speed Week, Nicolas Prost took to the wheel of the speedster driven by an electric motor (no more turbine!). The plan was to celebrate the car’s 60th anniversary and its records and bring back some great images, but no more records. In 2016, another 60-something broke records: Renault Dauphine!
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