From Opel’s Manta GSe to Hyundai’s N Vision 74 — the latter of which is actually now earmarked for production — one-off electromod concepts have become increasingly popular over the last year or two alone. And after previously introducing its electrified one-of-one R5 Turbo 3E build, French firm Renault has now pulled the cover off of its next one-off electric restomod concept with its all-new R17 Electromod. 

The Basics 

A one-of-one factory-built concept car, the R17 electromod is essentially a modernized take on the ‘70s era Renault 17 sports coupé. Combining retro-inspired details with an unmisktably modern visual theme, the R17 was born out of a collaboration between the French vehicle maker and Ora Ïto — a renowned French designer that’s done work for everyone from Nike to adidas to Angell to Citroën. 

Frame & Bodywork 

Though it’s directly inspired by Renault’s original 17 model, the new R17 concept is a thoroughly modern affair, with the entire thing being constructed around a carbon fiber chassis. The vehicle sports a sleek set of bodywork that leaves no question as to its inspiration, while still being plenty modern — as well as 6.7” wider than the original ‘70s era vehicle. Cloaked in a Galactic Brown livery, the design is complemented via custom LED lighting all around. 

Power & Performance 

At the heart of the R17 concept is a fully-electric powertrain. While this electric motor setup only sends 270hp to the rear wheels, the concept makes the most of its oomph with a curb weight of just 3,086lbs — a particularly svelte figure for any car, let alone an electric vehicle. 

Interior Elements

Like the exterior of the vehicle, the R17 electromod concept’s cabin consists of an amalgamation of modern and retro elements. This includes a central screen, redesigned seats sporting the original car’s “petal” structure, and a steering wheel set in front of a bespoke four-gauge cluster. The entire cabin is also trimmed in a combination of brown heathered satin Merino wool and beige bouclé wool fabric. 

Straight From The Horse’s Mouth

“R17 restomod, reinterpreted by Ora Ito, aligns perfectly with our approach to uniting heritage and innovation,” explains Arnaud Belloni, the Renault Brand’s Chief Branding Officer and VP. “R17 was part of pop culture, an icon of the 1970s with its avant-garde design and bold personality. 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.”

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability 

A one-off factory-backed build that’s not for sale or available for purchase, the Renault x Ora Ïto R17 Electromod Concept was just unveiled at Maison5 in Paris, though it will also be displayed at the Paris Motor Show starting October 14. As a one-off concept, Renault doesn’t currently have any plans to put the vehicle into production, though with enough demand it could end up seeing the assembly line — which is exactly what happened with Hyundai’s N Vision 74 concept. 

Renault x Ora Ïto R17 Electromod Concept

French marque Renault taps fellow Frenchman Ora Ïto to transform its ‘70s era 17 Sports Coupé into a modern-day one-of-one electromod with nearly 300hp on tap.