Reviving Retro: Renault Unveils the R17 Electric Restomod by Designer Ora Ïto
Since 2021, Renault has unveiled several unique creative projects that rejuvenate its exceptional heritage and the symbolic models now entrenched in popular culture.
These initiatives demonstrate the brand's knack for blending heritage with innovation and design, providing a vast canvas for contemporary designers. Renault has engaged the avant-garde designer Ora Ïto to reimagine the Renault 17, infusing it with bold, modern aesthetics.
This year marks the debut of an innovative collaboration between Renault’s designers and Ora Ïto. They aimed to craft a distinctive restored show car inspired by the legendary Renault 17.
"Reinventing an iconic vehicle like the Renault 17 presented an exhilarating challenge. Collaborating with Renault allowed me to express my artistic vision and create a sculpture that truly reflects my style," said Ora Ïto.
"The R17 restomod, reinterpreted by Ora Ïto, epitomises our commitment to merging heritage with innovation. The R17 was a pop culture icon renowned in the 1970s for its avant-garde design and bold personality. This project pays homage to the original Renault design while incorporating contemporary features for a cross-generational appeal. We take pride in our collaborations with daring designers like Ora Ïto, who help us reimagine our iconic models while staying true to our brand ethos," stated Arnaud Belloni, Chief Branding Officer & VP of Renault Brand.
Introduced in 1971, the Renault 17 captured the romantic spirit of the 1970s. As a sporty coupe, available as a 4-seater coupe or convertible, it mirrored the era’s ethos with its stylish looks and performance. Featuring front-wheel drive with a longitudinal engine, later models offered fuel injection along with a suite of active and passive safety features, making the Renault 17 both technologically advanced and elegantly designed. It boasted angular lines and an interior tailored for discerning customers. Between 1971 and 1979, over 92,000 units were produced.
The R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto is a singular model, not a precursor to future production vehicles. Styled as a restomod by Ora Ïto, it was crafted in partnership with Renault's Design team.
"With Sandeep (Bhambra) and Gilles (Vidal), we pursued a retro-futuristic theme, almost cinematic in scope. I envisioned draping the Renault 17 in a second skin, enhancing the design while imparting a more contemporary feel through my design philosophy of simplexity—simplifying complexity," explained Ora Ïto.
A prominent figure in contemporary design, Ora Ïto, a native of France and child of the 1970s, first made his mark with bold, avant-garde creations and digital hacks of leading brands. An advocate of simplexity, a blend of simplicity and complexity, he has become a pop culture icon, engaging in high-profile collaborations and garnering global accolades. The R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto is his inaugural collaboration with Renault.
While honouring the legacy and integrity of the original Renault 17, the show car also represents a restomod, merging classic allure with contemporary technologies and materials. This innovative approach fosters a dialogue between the past and present, offering a modern experience that retains the spirit of the Renault 17.
A two-door coupe with a tailgate, the Renault 17 boasted a sporty design accentuated by four round headlamps, frameless doors, a pillar-less body, fully opening rear side windows, and second-quarter windows with louvres.
Built on the original monocoque structure, the R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto retains the same cabin, doors, windows, glazing, seals, and underbody. The body is 17 cm wider, improving road-holding, and the design of the wings and wheels lends it a spectacular yet elegant appearance.
The R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto is decidedly modern. Its headlamps consist of four rectangular modules with rounded corners, and the rear lights form a single strip. It also features an all-electric 270 bhp powertrain at the rear.
The carbon fibre chassis with its flush lines keeps the weight to just 1.4 tonnes. The Galactic Brown body colour is an original shade developed especially for the show car.
R17 boasted all the interior features of an authentic tourer, with its specific driving position, comfortable seats, full range of equipment, and meticulous finish. The restomod version maintains the original standards of comfort while introducing several updates to the dashboard and centre console. The seats have been redesigned around the original “petal” structure, with new upholstery inspired by the world of interior design: a heathered satin in fine Merino wool for the brown fabric and a delicate lightweight wool bouclé that is both long and thick for the beige fabric. As a contemporary vehicle, the R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto features a central screen with the current Renault graphic environment and four small geometric screens behind the steering wheel inspired by the dials of the original model.
"We preserved the most distinctive design features of the Renault 17, beginning with the front end. My goal was to add style and flow without compromising the character of the R17. You can still recognise the original Renault 17 and its sports coupe appeal. I aimed to infuse my design codes, enhancing certain characteristics with a futuristic flair for a more timeless appearance. This is evident in the wheels, for example. My signature is also visible inside the car. We have transported the Renault 17 into the future, making subtle modifications that completely transform its appearance. Our guiding principle was: ‘a detail is not a detail’. There’s a certain ambiguity in that it’s not meant to be taken entirely at face value. We also aimed for a light-hearted touch. Renault has a strong identity, and I appreciate that. You recognise a Renault when you see one, and this restomod is no exception,” said Ora Ïto.
“Creating a new artistic interpretation of the R17 opened up a vast field for exploration, allowing us to deliver something unexpected and memorable. The creative dialogue between Ora Ïto and our Design team preserves the body lines and spirit of the original R17 while imparting a minimalist, ultra-contemporary look. Inside the car, the main features of the R17 are reimagined through the creative vision of Ora Ïto. The style of the geometric lines and shapes transports passengers into the comfortable world of interior design and furnishings,” added Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer, Concept Cars, Renault.
The R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto is currently on display at Maison5 (Paris) until 11 September. This unique prototype will be showcased at the Chantilly Arts & Elegant Richard Mille competition from 12 to 15 September before being exhibited on the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show from 14 to 20 October.
