French designer Ora Ïto reinterprets the iconic Renault 17 sports coupé of the 70s with this sculptural show car, R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto. Carbon bodywork, retro-futuristic interior, exclusive Galactic Brown color: R17 is reincarnated in striking ultra-contemporary styling and with a never-before-seen 270 hp (199 kW) electric motor offering 400 km of range.
Renault 17’s sleek profile redesigned by Ora Ïto
exterior design
“We have teleported Renault 17 into the future while respecting its most distinctive elements,” said designer Ora Ïto. The idea was to add fluidity and elegance without distorting the avant-garde design of this legendary car. In fact, the spirit and overall lines of the sports coupé have been retained and enhanced by a bold vision of this restomod *.
*restomod: blend of “restoration” and “modification” to combine the classic charm of an original car with contemporary materials and technology.
redesigned interior comfort
Renault 17 originally came with a sporty cockpit, comprehensive equipment and petal seats. Ora Ïto wanted to keep the originality of the cockpit, the structure of the seats and the spirit of the interior upholstery, while adding a true touch of modernity. The finish is impeccable with its streamlined dashboard, new fabrics, revived door panels and redesigned seat cushions, because “the details are not just a detail”.
the initial geometry of the dashboard has been redesigned with four square faces
the details are not just a detail
The original R17’s main themes are reinterpreted through Ora Ïto’s vision. Through their innovative partnership, Renault and Ora Ïto redefine automotive aesthetics. The R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto seats are trimmed with a chine brown satin in very fine Merino wool, subtly combined with a light, thick, luxuriant wool bouclé as soft as a cloud.
Ora Ïto is an icon in contemporary design. He is an advocate of “simplexity”, a demanding blend of simplicity and complexity, unveiling a bold approach and multiple avant-garde creations. R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto is his first joint project with Renault.
Renault 17, the sports coupé with a radical style
Renault 17, the classy, elegant, edgy, sports coupé, marked the 1970s with its radical style.The innovative R17 featured four iodine headlights, bumpers surrounding the front grille and a black-louvre trimmed tailgate. It appealed to a demanding clientele, with its 1.6 L transverse electronic fuel-injection engine. Between 1971 and 1979, Renault plants manufactured close to 100,000 units. Today, it is highly sought after by collectors.
“With Gilles Vidal and Sandeep Bhambra, concept car manager, we have worked on a retro-futuristic, almost cinematographic, theme,” explains Ora Ïto. “I wanted to wrap Renault 17 in a second skin to glorify it and bring it up to date using my own style."