Renault Etoile Filante

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Renault Etoile Filante

Manufacturer:	Renault
Class:	Supercar
Body style:	No-door monoposto supercar
Engine:	Gas turbine Turboméca Turmo; 270bhp; 28,000rpm
Length:	4840 mm
Width:	1815 mm
Height:	999 mm
Curb weight:	950 kg
Similar:	Railton Special

The Renault Etoile Filante (Shooting Star in English) was Renault's first and only supercar ever produced.

In 1954 the French aeronautical turbines manufacturer Turboméca proposed Renault making a gas turbine technology engineered car for exalting the benefits of it and for trying to break the land speed record. The car was tested in the wind tunnel between 1954 and 1955. In 1956, Jean Hébert and a Renault Team went off to Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. The car reached an average speed of 192.5mph and reached the world record. This was also to promote sales from Renault's newest car in the United States, the Dauphine The Etoile Filante later appeared at motor shows all over the world.

However, in the early sixties, the end of the gas turbine era stopped Renault from making a second car. And it's record was neglected.

In the mid 90's, it was decided that the car should be restored with a view to it running again. The car was completely dismantled in the workshops of Renault at the Billancourt factory in Paris, the chassis was resprayed and the engine repaired. In front of an expectant crowd, the car was fired up and moved under its own power for the first time since 1956. It's now conserved as a part of Renault's Historical Cars Collection.