This year, Renault is paying tribute to the classic R17 of the 1970s, with the French firm unveiling a reimagined, retro-futuristic concept model, designed by French designer Ora Ïto, of the iconic two-door sports coupé. Looks brilliant, doesn’t it?
“Revisiting an iconic vehicle like [the] Renault 17 was a particularly exciting challenge. Working alongside Renault, I was able to articulate my artistic vision to create a sculpture in my own image,” said the Marseille-born designer. “Renault has a strong identity and I like that. You recognise a Renault when you see one, and this restomod is no exception to the rule.”
Said Arnaud Belloni, Chief Branding Officer and Vice President of Renault, “[The] R17 restomod, reinterpreted by Ora Ïto, aligns perfectly with our approach to uniting heritage and innovation. [The] R17 was part of pop culture, an icon of the 1970s, with its avant-garde design and bold personality. This project celebrates Renault’s original iconic design, while giving it a contemporary twist with new features to create an experience that transcends the generations.”
Ïto continued, “We kept the most distinctive design features of [the] Renault 17, starting with the front end. My aim was to add style and flow … without altering the character of [the] R17. You can still see the original Renault 17 and its sports coupé looks. I wanted to add my own design codes, accentuating some of the characteristics with a futuristic touch to give them a more timeless look.”
Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer of Concept Cars at Renault, added, “Creating a new artistic take on [the] R17 threw open a huge field of exploration, giving us the opportunity to come up with something unexpected and memorable. The creative dialogue between Ora Ïto and our design team maintains the body lines and spirit of the original R17, while giving it a minimalist, ultra-contemporary look. Inside the car, the main features of [the] R17 are given a new twist through the creative vision of Ora Ïto.”
The R17 show car is equipped with a “never-before-seen” electric motor. Sited on the rear axle, the latter unit produces 199 kW. Renault claims an all-electric operating range of 399 km.
