Renault 17 Reincarnated as RWD Electric CF Concept

A fabulous old 1970s coupe, Renault’s R17, looks set to ride again, albeit as a stunning rear-drive electric concept car. Dubbed the R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ito, it is unlikely to make production but the Twingo and the R5 are coming as EVs so….

Underneath it all is a carbon fibre chassis and the concept has as much power as a Golf GTI.

Created in a joint venture with French design house, Ora Ito, the restomod is the latest in a series of Renault classics revived for a modern ear. They pair retro design cues with modern underpinnings and technology. Things kicked off with the R5.

The 17 launched in 1971 and was Renault’s first front-wheel drive coupé.

The 17 restomod swaps the 1605cc petrol engine of another era with a 201kW electric motor on the rear axle. No performance figures are given.

A carbon fibre chassis helps to keep kerb weight down to 1400kg.

Ito’s reimagining of the coupé’s design combines “the classic charm of the original with the technologies and materials of today”.

It uses the same cabin, doors, windows, glass, seals and underbody of the original car, but rides lower and is wider by 170mm for better dynamics. Fenders are flared and alloys are new. Louvres on the C pillar are a nod to the original.

The 17’s quad circular headlights make way for slim rectangular peepers. They’re coloured yellow just like 1970s French cars. The rear features a thin wraparound red light strip.

Its cockpit is 70s period true, trimmed in brown and beige. All the screens are housed in period-perfect enclosures. 

The R17 Electric Restomod will debut on Renault’s stand at the Paris Motor Show in October. A production version of the 4 electric crossover will also be there.

Whether this sees the light of day or not is unclear but Prelude is due another run, and Toyota is talking about a Celica revival. However, AutoExpress is more adamant, saying no.