We couldn’t help but beam with excitement as our eyes feasted on the latest little stunner from Renault— the one-off, breathtakingly beautiful Renault R17 electric restomod concept. Not all of you might recall this iconic Renault model from the 1970s, but here’s your chance to refresh your memories!
Between the years 1971 and 1979, Renault had managed to sell more than 92,000 of these gems, and now, they’re revisiting their glorious past with this sparkling restomod gem. It’s a marvellous continuation of Renault’s knack for delivering electrifying reboots of classic models, such as the R4 and R5.
Preserving the Retro Appeal with a Modern Twist
Don’t mistake it for a superficial redo, though. This incredible restomod retains many elements from the original model. The underbody, doors, windows, glazing, cabin, and even seals are all vintage R17. But, there’s also a carbon fibre chassis nodding towards the future.
The body, as you might have already noticed, is a departure from the original. The 70s model seemed to be almost desperate to please, but this new beast is oozing confidence. This vanity isn’t unearned, though. The modern rendition stays true to the original’s compact, coupe-like design but gains 17cm in width, allowing for the installation of some larger, and let’s be honest, much better wheels.
Beauty, Power, and a Glimpse of the Future!
What truly sets this restomod apart is its 270bhp powertrain sitting snugly in the rear. Though Renault has been rather tight-lipped about the performance stats, the minimal 1.4-tonne curb weight hints at a rather compact battery.
Step inside, and you’re in a delightful time warp— it’s the 70s meeting the tech of the 21st century in a gorgeous blend of nostalgia and futurism. Picture carefully designed seats surrounding the original petal structure, dashboards that glow red, and geometric screens behind an utterly period steering wheel.
According to Ora Ïto, the French designer who collaborated with Renault, “We teleported Renault 17 into the future, making a few subtle changes that give it a whole new look.” Despite the alterations, it remains true to Renault’s identity, ensuring it still turns heads like its classic predecessor did.
Wishful Thinking
Sadly, the Renault R17 electric restomod isn’t a harbinger of a future production model, which feels like a missed opportunity. Nonetheless, it surely is an absolute hoot that nostalgic car enthusiasts and electric vehicle lovers alike would appreciate. And here at EV Performance, we’re unabashedly enamoured with Renault’s craze for bringing back the classics in an electrifying new avatar!
