This Electric ’70s French Coupe Restomod Is Borderline Perfect

In an era when a new restomod project is unveiled every nanosecond, it’s easy to grow jaded to the endless varieties of updated Porsches and Broncos and what-have-you on offer. However, there are still exceptions, and I’m pleased to report that when Renault pulled the sheets off a restomodded 17, my chapeau accelerated to escape velocity. I’m sure there’s a Renault 17 Coupe in there somewhere, but the transformation this one’s undergone is nothing short of astonishing.

In case you aren’t familiar with the Renault 17, it’s a fastback from the 1970s that looked rakish yet a bit doofy, but in an adorable way. The slatted quarter panels and recessed rear window were positively striking, and they were offset by wheels that looked a bit small. Hey, it was the 1970s, that was the fashion of the time. However, Renault’s been working with French designer Ora Ito on a one-off project, and my word, is it ever stunning.

Let’s start with the big meats, effortlessly filling out pumped, carved-out arches. These unusual disc-faced wheels give this Renault 17 an enticing stance, yet still remain gloriously different than pretty much everything we’re used to. They’re items of studious beauty, but what else would you expect from the nation that’s given us more popular modern philosophers than any country on the planet?

Complementing the flared arches, a subtle front valence adds modernized disco-decade race car appeal, while a monochrome nosecone with four slim yellow headlights offers up a more aggressive down-road graphic than the original car did, without going over the top. The monochrome treatment continues with a new rear fascia featuring a singular horizontal taillight, and I must say, the shade of Galactic Brown paint chosen for this project looks brilliant.

You likely noticed a relative absence of grillework on the front of this Renault 17 restomod. That’s because the original 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel-drive transaxle have been yanked out and replaced with a battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor. Let’s face it: Nobody bought a Renault 17 for straight-line speed alone, so going from a 107-horsepower front-wheel-drive coupe to a 270-horsepower rear-wheel-drive sports coupe feels like an exciting change. It’s the same deal with the new carbon fiber chassis, which should make this thing nigh-on as stiff as a modern car, all while keeping weight to a reasonable 3,086 pounds.

Moving inside this Renault 17 restomod, it feels like Ito and Renault got everything right. Brown on beige on more brown? Check. Cloth door inserts? Check. Wood on the dashboard and not some silly carbon fiber? Check. Sure, the gauges are now digital, but there’s something funky and lo-fi about them that doesn’t clash with the vibe of this coupe. That’s the way you do it.

It really is a shame that this singular Renault 17 electric restomod is quite literally the only one they’re making. Sure, the cost of this to a customer would be exorbitant, but if I were to hazard a guess, surely a small handful of people would consider paying supercar money for a project like this. It’s exciting, it’s audacious, it’s finely crafted. And oh so French.

(Photo credits: Renault)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

• Renault Celebrates 30 Years Of The Twingo With A See-Through One-Off

• I’m Pretty Sure This Renault Is The Only Time A Carmaker Put A Whole Other Bumper Onto A Bumper

• The Renault 5 Diamant Literally Reinvents The Wheel In A 50th Anniversary Tribute To One Of France’s Most Iconic Cars

• The Renault 5 Turbo 3E Concept Is A Rally-Inspired Electric Hatchback That’s Born To Drift

• If You’ve Been Wanting To Spend Over $150K On A Fancy Electric Original Mini Boy Do I Have Good News For You

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.