Renault R17 Electric Restomod Nails Retro Design With Modern Twist

The retro-futuristic coupe replaces the original 17’s 1.6-liter engine with a 270 hp electric motor driving the rear wheels

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If small workshops and garages can restore and modify classics with brilliant results, Renault has set out to prove that a major OEM can do the same, creating an all-electric restomod version of the Renault 17 coupe from the 1970s.

To bring the design of the 17 into the modern world, Renault worked hand-in-hand with French designer Ora Ito. While the car has similar proportions to the original coupe, all of the bodywork has been changed. It perfectly blends new with old and although it’d be a fitting and unique addition to the existing Renault family, it sadly isn’t heading to production.

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The body of the coupe is finished in Galactic Brown, perfect for a restomod based around a ‘70s classic. Gone are the four circular headlights of the original, and sitting in their place are thin LEDs with a subtle yellow tint. The switch to electric propulsion has also allowed Renault and Ito to eliminate the traditional front grille, opting instead for a small, flat panel.

We’re particularly fond of the R17’s thin A-pillars and tiny wing mirrors, both reflective of the original model that inspired this one-off. The wheels are also a sight to behold, as are the louvers directly behind the side windows.

The interior is a work of art. A two-spoke steering wheel with a flat top and flat bottom wrapped in fabric immediately stands out. There’s also wooden trim across the dash and like the original Renault 17, four prominent gauges in front of the driver. The key difference is that these digital gauges are now square, and each features a small screen with red graphics. A larger screen serves as the infotainment display. Renault then wrapped the seats in a combination of brown leather and white fabric.

No restomod would be complete without some serious mechanical changes. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder driving the front wheels has been replaced by a 270 hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The car is also built around a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and tips the scales at 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs).

“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,” Ora Ito said when describing the car. “I wanted to simplify the more complex aspects.”

Renault plans to display the car at several events this year, including next month’s Paris Motor Show.