Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault 17 electric restomod reimagines 1970s coupe for the 21st Century

Before you get your hopes up, the effortlessly cool Renault 17 concept will not make production

Renault has dipped into its back catalogue once again, this time to create a retro-futuristic concept that brings the Renault 17 coupe of the 1970s into the 21st Century. The brand was considerably less creative choosing a name, however, because this is simply called the ‘Renault 17 electric restomod’.

Before you get excited about the stylish, two-door electric car potentially paving the way for a road-going version, this is just the latest collaboration between Renault and contemporary artists to put a new spin on some of its iconic cars. This time it worked with avant-garde French designer Ora Ito to create the R17 electric restomod.

Ito said “I wanted to drape Renault 17 in a second skin, showcasing the design while giving it a more contemporary look in terms of flow, dynamics and rationality through my own approach to design and my own signature: simplexity. I wanted to simplify the more complex aspects.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Fans of the original will recognise this is an R17, but the fenders have been subtly flared, and the restomod’s body is actually 17cm wider, supposedly to improve roadholding. The simple yet elegant wheels are new, while the sci-fi-esque front end’s four rectangular headlight modules are a nod to the circular ones on the first R17, as are the louvres on the C-pillar.

The Galactic Brown paint colour is a unique shade developed specially for the show car. The interior also has a seventies-appropriate earth-tone colour scheme, and the seats – which were redesigned around the original ‘petal’ structure – sport a combination of beige and brown wool. 

Given that this is a restomod, screens have been tastefully integrated into the R17’s cabin, and they feature the colourful graphics found in Renault’s latest models. Behind the square two-spoke steering wheel are four small geometric displays, inspired by the car’s original dials, while the central screen is located below the dashboard, where the radio would have been.

When the R17 was launched in 1971 it featured a 1.6-litre four-pot engine that drove the front wheels. The restomod has ditched that, and instead uses a 270bhp all-electric powertrain at the rear. It also has a carbon-fibre chassis, so the car weighs just 1.4 tonnes.  

The Renault 17 electric restomod will be making appearances at several events in the coming weeks, including the 2024 Paris Motor Show in October, where the all-new Renault 4 will also be revealed.

Would you like to see the Renault 17 electric restomod make production? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...

Skip advert
Advertisement
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Refreshed Renault Megane and Scenic get one-pedal driving and a price cut
Renault Megane E-Tech electric Esprit Alpine - front 3/4

Refreshed Renault Megane and Scenic get one-pedal driving and a price cut

Other updates for E-Tech pair include one-pedal driving and a vehicle-to-load adaptor to power anything from laptops to coffee machines
News
10 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Expect more retro Renaults that drink from customers’ “reservoir of sympathy”
Renault 5 - front full width

Expect more retro Renaults that drink from customers’ “reservoir of sympathy”

The brand’s model line-up is now divided into ‘legendary icons’ like the retro-inspired R5, and ‘future icons’ such as the futuristic-looking Megane a…
News
24 Mar 2025
Renault Embleme concept to inspire new shooting brake flagship
Renault Embléme concept - front

Renault Embleme concept to inspire new shooting brake flagship

Renault is working on an electric shooting brake to top its range
News
17 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025