Renault has breathed new life into its classic 1970s 17 coupe by creating an all-electric restomod version. The French automaker teamed up with designer Ora Ito to modernize the iconic car while keeping its original charm.

The new Renault 17 restomod keeps similar proportions to the original coupe but sports completely revamped bodywork. It's a blend of old and new that won't be heading to production lines anytime soon.

Renault gave the car a sleek makeover in Galactic Brown. They swapped out the original four circular headlights for thin LEDs with a subtle yellow tint. The front grille is gone, replaced by a small flat panel. Other eye-catching features include thin A-pillars, tiny wing mirrors, distinctive wheels, and louvers behind the side windows.

Inside, the car boasts a two-spoke steering wheel with a flat top and bottom, wrapped in fabric. The dashboard features wooden trim, and four prominent digital gauges with small screens and red graphics catch the eye. A larger infotainment screen rounds out the modern touches, while brown leather and white fabric wrap the seats.

Under the hood, Renault made some big changes. They ditched the original 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for an electric motor pumping out 270 hp. The car now has rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive. Renault also gave it a lightweight carbon fiber chassis, bringing the total weight to 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs).

Ora Ito, the designer who worked on the project, shared his vision:

"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. I wanted to simplify the more complex aspects."

Renault plans to show off their creation at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Source: Renault

Tags: Renault
Евгений Ушаков
Evgenii Ushakov
15 years driving