Since 2021, Renault has been collaborating with contemporary non-automotive designers on innovative concepts that take a fresh look at its heritage. The latest example is the R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto show car based on the legendary Renault 17, a sports coupé of avant-garde design and collaboration of Ora Ïto and Renault’s Design team led by Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer, Advance Design, Concept Cars, Advance Architecture at Renault, and Gilles Vidal, Design Vice President at Renault Group.

Though not the forerunner for a future production vehicle, it is the fourth in a series of annual collaborations taking a fresh look at iconic models following the 2021 celebration for the 60th anniversary of the 4 with designer Mathieu Lehanneur called Suite N°4; the 2022 teaming with designer Pierre Gonalons to celebrate the 50th anniversary of R5 with the electric 5 Diamant prototype, and the 2023 Twingo electric show car created by Dutch designer and artist Sabine Marcelis.

“Revisiting an iconic vehicle like Renault 17 was a particularly exciting challenge,” said Ïto. “Working alongside Renault, I was able to articulate my artistic vision to create a sculpture in my own image.”

A leading figure in contemporary design, Ïto is a child of the 1970s. He made his name by “hacking” leading brands with his digital products and is a firm believer in “simplexity,” a mix of simplicity and complexity. The R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto is his first joint project with Renault.

“The R17 was part of pop culture, an icon of the 1970s with its avant-garde design and bold personality,” said Arnaud Belloni, Renault Global CMO, Chief Branding Officer, & VP of the Renault Brand. “This project celebrates Renault’s original iconic design while giving it a contemporary twist with new features to create an experience that transcends the generations. At Renault, we are proud to collaborate with bold talented designers such as Ora Ïto to reinvent our iconic models while remaining true to the spirit of the brand.”

Launched in 1971, the R17 was available as a four-seat coupé or convertible, the front-wheel-drive car having a longitudinal engine and a range of active and passive safety features. It is described by its maker as both high-tech and elegant, with its angular lines and an interior styled for demanding customers. Over 92,000 units were built between 1971 and 1979.

“With Sandeep (Bhambra) and Gilles (Vidal), we worked on a theme that was retro-futuristic, almost cinematic,” said Ïto. “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.”

As a restomod, the car combines the classic charm of the original with the technologies and materials of today, creating a modern experience without losing sight of the spirit of Renault 17.

The original two-door coupé with a tailgate featured a sporty design accentuated by four round headlamps, frameless doors, a body with no central pillar, fully opening rear side windows, and second quarter windows with louvers.

The R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto is based on the monocoque structure of the original and has the same cabin, doors, windows, glazing, seals, and underbody. The Galactic Brown body color is an original shade developed for the show car. Lighting is handled up front by four rectangular headlamp modules with rounded corners and in the rear by a single strip.

“We kept the most distinctive design features of Renault 17, starting with the front end,” said Ïto. “My aim was to add style and flow, but without altering the character of R17. You can still see the original Renault 17 and its sports coupé look. I wanted to add my own design codes, accentuating some of the characteristics with a futuristic touch to give them a more timeless look. This is what I did with the wheels, for example.”

“Creating a new artistic take on R17 threw open a huge field of exploration, giving us the opportunity to come up with something unexpected and memorable,” said Bhambra. “The creative dialogue between Ora Ïto and our Design team maintains the body lines and spirit of the original R17 while giving it a minimalist, ultra-contemporary look.”

The new car is 17 cm (6.7 in) wider for better road-holding. Its carbon-fiber chassis keeps the weight down to just 1.4 t (3090 lb) even with the all-electric 201-kW powertrain in the rear.

Inside, the restomod maintains the original car’s standards of comfort, while making a number of changes to the dashboard and center console. As a contemporary vehicle, it 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.

“My signature is also visible inside the car,” said Ïto. “We teleported Renault 17 into the future, making a few subtle changes that give it a whole new look. Our key phrase was: ‘a detail is not a detail.’ There is a certain ambivalence in that it is not intended to be taken entirely at face value. We were also aiming for a lighthearted touch. Renault has a strong identity, and I like that. You recognize a Renault when you see one, and this restomod is no exception to the rule.”

The seats were redesigned around the original “petal” structure. Their new upholstery was inspired by the world of interior design; a brown heathered satin in fine Merino wool and a delicate beige lightweight wool bouclé that is both long and thick.

“Inside the car, the main features of R17 are given a new twist through the creative vision of Ora Ïto,” said Bhambra. “The style of the geometric lines and shapes takes passengers into the comfortable world of interior design and furnishings.”

The R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto has been on a roadshow of sorts, which started at Maison5 in Paris for about a week until September 11; then the Chantilly Arts & Elegant Richard Mille competition from September 12 to 15; and next up exhibited on the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show from October 14 to 20.

Renault Group will be at the 2024 Paris Motor Show with all its brands and five stands with Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Mobilize, and Renault Pro+ and seven world premieres and two concept cars.