Renault’s RACING SHOE5 accelerates their innovation

by James · May 17, 2023

Established in 1989, the Renault Company has revolutionized the automotive industry – from the brand’s Grand Prix victory in 1906 to breaking speed records with turbocharged engines. While the French automaker may be known for its iconic cars and cutting-edge technology, its mission to drive innovation isn’t limited to the road.

In December 2022, the team dropped its genesis NFT collection, genR5. Now they are making waves in the fashion space with their latest NFT collection, the Racing Shoe5 series.

This latest decline is all part of Renault’s larger aim to continually promote its brand in the Web3 space and beyond. We spoke to the Renault team to learn more about the decline, their immersive 3D shopping experience and what’s next for the brand in Web3.

Table of Contents

Utility and transparency

Inspired by the legendary Renault 5 Turbo model that was popular in Europe in the 1980s, the Racing Shoe5 collection features 960 limited edition 3D art NFTs, each with a corresponding physical pair of sneakers. An NFC chip is embedded in the physical pair’s tongue, giving the owner access to an NFT digital passport. Each NFT will sell for 265 euros and is available for minting through May 17.

The collection includes six unique designs; five inspired by the original R5 Turbo from the 80s, and a sixth developed in collaboration with Renault designers and the R3NLT community. Each sneaker is made from environmentally responsible materials, including Leather Working Group certified leather, and features a design nod to the R5 Turbo.

These include a rear slope that evokes the cars’ chassis, an interior inspired by the cars’ upholstery, and shoelaces that resemble seat belts. The collection includes 160 unique pairs per model, a nod to the R5 Turbo’s 160 horsepower.

Of course, the Racing Shoe5 collection extends beyond just fashion. It acts as a portal to a range of exclusive benefits and tools specially designed for Renault enthusiasts and collectors. Not only will buyers receive a pair of physical shoes in September 2023, but they’ll also receive the digital NFT passport packed with detailed information about the production of their sneaker, such as production data, composition, materials and more.

This kind of openness was essential for the team. “Today’s consumers are demanding […] to understand how the product they bought – or intend to buy – has been manufactured,” a Renault representative told nft now. – We wanted to go a step further […] and have this [information] built into the sneakers through NFC technology.”

Additional benefits for holders include an invitation to meet the creative minds behind the concept cars at the Renault Research and Development Center and exclusive chances to try the R5 Turbo 3E on track (limited to raffle winners). Buyers will also automatically be whitelisted for future releases.

Renault’s 3D shop

Adding a new dimension to the Racing Shoe5 collection is the introduction of an immersive 3D shopping experience. This unique feature allows community members to read the collection in a virtual space. Upon arrival, visitors can customize their digital avatar, then are free to browse the virtual store, taking in a wealth of content centered around the iconic R5 Turbo.

“We felt the need to go further in terms of experience and immerse the audience in the iconic R5 Turbo universe, which inspired the entire release,” explained the Renault representative about the importance of the store.

The space also features an augmented reality filter, allowing customers to virtually try on their sneakers before they buy. The process of minting the associated NFT can also be easily completed in this digital store, streamlining the procurement process.

Why Renault cares about innovation

It is clear that Renault is not only interested in preserving its rich heritage, but also in reinventing it for the new era with sustainable practices in mind. This commitment has played a major role in Renault’s innovative nature – this includes their Racing Shoe5 collection.

According to the Renault team, “With the low-emissions rules emerging around the world to support cleaner cities, we will eventually see icons like the R5 Turbo disappear from our roads. The idea of our Racing Shoe5 collection was to keep them alive on the streets – on people’s feet.”

By embracing Web3 and blockchain technology, Renault is creating new value propositions for its customers and fans, as well as new opportunities for collaboration and co-creation with the community.