The company teamed up with French designer Ora Ito for this project. Car enthusiasts will get to see the concept in person at the Paris motor show next month.
Renault released a teaser image that shows a blocky front end with four main lights and a wide grille. This design has led some to think it might be a new take on the old Renault 17.
The concept car serves a bigger purpose for Renault. The company wants to see how people feel about a sportier model. Renault hopes this car will fit in with their other retro-inspired electric vehicles, the 4 and 5.
Other car makers have tried similar approaches. Opel brought back the Manta with their GSe Elektromod, and Hyundai did the same with their Heritage Series Grandeur.
Renault's strategy involves using its past to make its future electric cars stand out. The company has plans for new versions of classic models like the Renault 5 supermini and the Renault 4 crossover. They're also working on a new Twingo, but haven't shared many details about it yet.
Renault Group design chief Laurens van den Acker explained the thinking behind these retro-inspired cars to Autocar last year:
"I think at this time, when there's so much insecurity in the world, where there are many dark clouds hanging left, right and centre, to make a few cars that really talked about the good times – and the times when the brand was alive – and stir all these positive emotions that people have [is a good thing]."
Van den Acker has noticed how much these old models mean to people. He said:
"The amount of people I've met that said 'oh, that was my first car, the Renault 5' or 'I learned how to drive in my aunt's Renault 4'..."
This strong connection to Renault's past models could mean good things for the company's future. Van den Acker thinks these cars could do well in many places:
"Even in England, I think the Renault 5 is just massive, right? So why not? Why not give people what they want?"
With this new concept, Renault hopes to tap into those good memories and create cars that make people feel good.
Source: Autocar
