Renault Korea Motors Company has launched mass production of its new Filante flagship hybrid crossover vehicle at its Busan plant in South Korea, ahead of its official launch in the local market scheduled for March. Local dealers have already begun taking pre-orders for the new model.

Renault Korea said the Filante was designed and developed in South Korea following close collaboration with its parent company, France’s Renault SA. The model is based on Chinese automaker Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform and is powered by Renault’s upgraded E-Tech 250 hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.5L turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with an output of 150 PS and two electric motors, delivering a combined 250 hp through a ‘multimode automatic gearbox.’

Renault said the Filante features “new-generation” driving aids developed in-house under its Renault Easy Drive programme, including Active Driver Assist, featuring Level 2 autonomous driving; Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control; Speed Limiter;  Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); Active Emergency Braking, with pedestrian and cyclist detection; Traffic Sign Recognition, with Adaptive Speed Limiter, Forward/Rear Detection with Emergency Lane Keeping Assist; 360° View with 3D Cameras, with full visibility of the underbody; and Full Automatic Parking.

Following its launch in South Korea, the Filante will be exported to markets in South America and the Middle East starting in the second quarter of 2026.

Renault’s Busan plant has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year. Renault Korea’s global sales fell by 18% to 88,044 units last year from 106,939 units in 2024, with domestic sales falling by 31% to 52,271 units while exports plunged by 47% to 35,773 units.