Yahoo Autos Renault Gives the R17 the EV Treatment with Sleek Restomod
Renault has created a stunning R17 electric restomod based on the 1970s 17 fastback coupe.
The R17 EV features a rear-mounted 270-hp electric powertrain.
The body is 6.7 inches wider and wears sleeker LED lights and a deep Galactic Brown paint job.
Renault is on a retro kick. Along with restomods like the delicate Renault 5 Diamant and the maniacal R5 Turbo 3E, the French automaker has launched production revivals like the new electric Renault 5 E-Tech. Roadgoing versions of the 4Ever Trophy concept and Twingo Legend are also due to hit Europe's streets in the coming years. Now Renault has brought another one of its classics into the modern era with the R17 electric restomod, a collaboration with French designer Ora Ïto.
The Renault 17 was a fastback coupe from the 1970s that packed an array of longitudinally mounted four-cylinder engines driving the front wheels. More than 92,000 examples were sold between 1971 and 1979, but this one takes on a new direction with an electric powertrain. Few details were provided, but Renault did say the one-off uses a 270-hp rear-mounted setup.
The remodeled R17 wears a sharp new face, with a pair of thin rectangular units that echo the circular headlights from the original coupe but give the car a more serious, stern look. The grille trim is redesigned, with two wide rectangular elements packing a series of small hash marks, and the louvers behind the side windows are more smoothly integrated into the body. At the rear, the taillight is formed by a simple, single LED strip stretching across the entire fascia. The wheels have a ridged look like a vinyl record and sit beneath squared-off arches.
Renault stretched the R17 EV's body to be 6.7 inches wider and draped it over a new carbon-fiber chassis, but the car retains the original doors, windows, and underbody structure. Renault says the electric R17 weighs roughly 3086 pounds. The body is painted a rich Galactic Brown hue, a unique color developed for this vehicle.
The cabin is a more drastic departure from the original while retaining an old-school charm. The circular steering wheel has been replaced by a squarish unit with a single rectangular spoke. Four small screens protrude from the dash behind the steering wheel, reminiscent of the original 17's gauges, while a center screen is mounted low beneath the dashboard. The seats have been restyled and upholstered in a combination of brown Merino wool and beige wool bouclé fabric.
While this R17 concept isn't bound for production, it reinforces that Renault isn't afraid to dip into its storied past while looking forward to the future. Regardless of its intent, the electric R17 is an eye-catching creation and we're glad to see Renault continue to craft fun retro-themed projects.
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