In an era when a new restomod project is unveiled every nanosecond, it’s easy to grow jaded to the endless varieties of updated Porsches and Broncos and what-have-you on offer. However, there are still exceptions, and I’m pleased to report that when Renault pulled the sheets off a restomodded 17, my chapeau accelerated to escape velocity. I’m sure there’s a Renault 17 Coupe in there somewhere, but the transformation this one’s undergone is nothing short of astonishing.
In case you aren’t familiar with the Renault 17, it’s a fastback from the 1970s that looked rakish yet a bit doofy, but in an adorable way. The slatted quarter panels and recessed rear window were positively striking, and they were offset by wheels that looked a bit small. Hey, it was the 1970s, that was the fashion of the time. However, Renault’s been working with French designer Ora Ito on a one-off project, and my word, is it ever stunning.
Let’s start with the big meats, effortlessly filling out pumped, carved-out arches. These unusual disc-faced wheels give this Renault 17 an enticing stance, yet still remain gloriously different than pretty much everything we’re used to. They’re items of studious beauty, but what else would you expect from the nation that’s given us more popular modern philosophers than any country on the planet?
Complementing the flared arches, a subtle front valence adds modernized disco-decade race car appeal, while a monochrome nosecone with four slim yellow headlights offers up a more aggressive down-road graphic than the original car did, without going over the top. The monochrome treatment continues with a new rear fascia featuring a singular horizontal taillight, and I must say, the shade of Galactic Brown paint chosen for this project looks brilliant.
You likely noticed a relative absence of grillework on the front of this Renault 17 restomod. That’s because the original 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel-drive transaxle have been yanked out and replaced with a battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor. Let’s face it: Nobody bought a Renault 17 for straight-line speed alone, so going from a 107-horsepower front-wheel-drive coupe to a 270-horsepower rear-wheel-drive sports coupe feels like an exciting change. It’s the same deal with the new carbon fiber chassis, which should make this thing nigh-on as stiff as a modern car, all while keeping weight to a reasonable 3,086 pounds.
Moving inside this Renault 17 restomod, it feels like Ito and Renault got everything right. Brown on beige on more brown? Check. Cloth door inserts? Check. Wood on the dashboard and not some silly carbon fiber? Check. Sure, the gauges are now digital, but there’s something funky and lo-fi about them that doesn’t clash with the vibe of this coupe. That’s the way you do it.
It really is a shame that this singular Renault 17 electric restomod is quite literally the only one they’re making. Sure, the cost of this to a customer would be exorbitant, but if I were to hazard a guess, surely a small handful of people would consider paying supercar money for a project like this. It’s exciting, it’s audacious, it’s finely crafted. And oh so French.
(Photo credits: Renault)
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It’s all fantastic, and I especially love the yellow headlights — a terrific callback!
This is the first electric car I’ve seen that looks like it might actually have a soul. So many of them look like they were built as a tech exercise, to replace an outgoing petrol model, or just because ‘electric is the direction’ that everyone is going in. I’m sure there are other examples, but this thing actually looked like someone cared for it beyond dollars or numbers on a spreadsheet. Who knew a modern version of a Renault 17 might be the thing that gave me a little hope for the future?
Filed to: “Here’s another gorgeous car you cannot have nor will you ever see it in person”
sort of suggests the N Vision 74
100% my first reaction to this design.
But prettier.
Because French Brown.
That looks tight. Front end resembles the new Charger.
The squared off wheel arches aren’t really a part of the Renault 17 “DNA”, so they are a little confusing.
The plate wheels look cool, but it would have been better with some graphic nod to the classic 3 stud wheel design, old Renaults are known for. But of course I am happy they god rid of the small wheels, which ruined so many otherwise fine designs of the time, like the Sunbeam Rapier Fastback or Ford Capri.
Why couldn’t Renault take the same route with the upcoming R5 and rumoured R4 E-Tech models? Start off with an original one, redesign important styling cues in a way that makes them identifiable, but keep everything else as close to the original as possible. You know, instead of letting this happen. I know this is a restomod, not a concept, and this specific example likely wouldn’t be viable at a larger scale. But nameplates like the R5 and the Quatrelle will bring a lot more customers than the Renault 15/17.
“Oh but the old designs wouldn’t be able to comply with crash test regulations/passive safety requirements.” Are we entirely sure that that’s the case? I mean, if the Smart ForTwo meets safety requirements, what’s really in those older designs that some small upgrades can’t make them at least as safe as a ForTwo?
“Oh but the bad aero means the older designs don’t make the best of the efficiency of EV propulsion.” True, but is aero that significant in city traffic, for which these models are primarily meant for? Doesn’t the added weight in comparison to a smaller, lighter design have a bigger real-world impact in terms of range/efficiency?
Oh wait that’s right, automakers hate to make slightly less money than they theorise they could make, and have been turning small cars into a distant memory, and nostalgia into a cash cow.
Take my money please?!?!
god I want to do this to an SM so bad
I’m torn. The Opel Manta GSe was obviously the first of this ‘type’ of car to do this.. they’re both pretty goddamned awesome. Unsure which is better 🙂
That’s really cool. I wish we had more modern cars like it.
I think it’s great, although my first reaction was ‘needs smaller wheels’. The quartic steering wheel can also get in the sea.
But otherwise I wouldn’t mind seeing it in my garage.
Like the look. The exterior images seem to be renderings rather than photos, although I don’t dispute that the car is real. Could someone explain the wheels or wheel covers? Blowing up the photo, all I can see is some evidence of moire fringes. The implication is that there are 2 or more wire layers offset by a small rotation.
The Moiré pattern effect could also be due to a textured composite. Bespoke wire wheels seem like too much of a headache to include in this build, and aren’t even part of the identity of the Renault 17, so my hunch is that they’re showcasing something else entirely, maybe fancy hubcaps as a stylish alternative to alloy wheels.
Looks fantastic, shame it’s electric.
That’s downright sharp. At 3100lbs and 270hp, this would be quite fun even if not exactly challenging todays super/hyper/ultracars.
Hey, a Coupe de Volt! Hard to believe its forerunners were Renault 17s. Must be adapted.
Matchbox had a model of the 17, and it didn’t look anywhere near as good as this.
At what point does a retromod just become a retro-inspired 1-of-1 concept car? With a custom carbon-fibre chassis and completely different drivetrain, I would be curious to know how many parts are actually left from the original Renault 17.
Regardless, I love the boxy gauge cluster, squared-off arches and two-spoke steering wheel. I guess the next time I win the SuperMegaBiggoLotto Ultra-Prize, I have one way to fritter away my ill-gotten-gains.
Also, just the other day I was browsing for a used Renault 25 online after remembering that one of my teachers in school had one that I lusted after (the car that is, not the teacher… well, actually maybe both). I reckon that would be a great starting point for a resto-futuro-concept-mod.
That is stunning!! Very nicely done. And the gauges work so well as an electric!
I would make the wheels a lighter brown or some variation of taupe – but otherwise this is automotive perfection.
The four squared-off gauges and the quartic steering wheel with divided spokes suggests a certain degree of inspiration from the Innocenti Regent:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/innocenti-regent-ad.jpg
My first thought from the top shot was Saab Sonett III. I can’t remember ever seeing a Renault 17, so it wasn’t on the tip of my brain. Of course, the rest doesn’t look Saab. Gauge displays reminded me of Mille Bornes, but after looking up images of the cards I haven’t seen in decades, the resemblance is a stretch.
Oh mon dieu, j’adore!!
Pareil !
Gosh that’s striking to look at.
That’s gorgeous! And I could not afford it if they were going to make more!
I saw a 1976 Renault R 17 at Lime Rock Meeting of the Marks last Sunday. The proposed electric R 17 is wonderful and Renault should put it into production ASAP!
It would be wonderful if Renault had the guts to even look into the viability of a model based on this design, but let’s keep in mind this isn’t exactly a concept, it’s a restomod: they took an original R17 shell and built around it. I would absolutely love it that that was their philosophy re: revamps of classic nameplates, building the proofs of concept starting off with the original shells, but the R5 E-Tech (and its rumoured R4-inspired companion model) are clearly far from that. I’m not at all into gatekeeping, and I feel bad about it, but I have to open an exception and gatekeep the R4 here, as it’s my personal Best Car Ever.