The original R17 had front-wheel drive and a transverse 4-cylinder engine. The R17 concept to be displayed at the Paris auto show has a rear-wheel drive full-electric powertrain.
Renault has reimagined the 1970s-era Renault 17 coupe as a full-electric restomod that will be displayed at the Paris auto show next month.
The R17 concept was created with Ora Ito, a French designer based in Marseille.
The original Renault 17 was launched in 1971 as a front-wheel-drive pillarless coupe with a distinctive triangular-shaped vent trim on the rear flanks. About 92,000 were built, including sportier Gordini models.
In the R17 concept, a full-electric powertrain with 270 hp powers the rear wheels. The body is 170 mm wider for better handling, although the cabin, doors, and window glass are the same as the original.
The concept’s squared-off dashboard echoes the original model, as do the petal-shaped seats with deep bolsters.
“We teleported Renault 17 into the future, making a few subtle changes that give it a whole new look,” the designer said. Renault has no plans for series production.
The R17 continues Renault’s revival of nameplates from past years, starting with the Renault 5 small EV that is launching this year. The brand is also introducing the Renault 4 small electric SUV at the Paris show, which starts Oct. 14.
Recent 70s-inspired show cars from other brands include the Hyundai N Vision 74, based on the Pony Coupe concept that later became a production model, and the Peugeot e-Legend, based on the Pininfarina-designed 504 Coupe. Hyundai has said it will build a production version of the N Vision 74. Renault itself displayed a modern re-creation of the Renault 5 Turbo with a full-electric drivetrain in 2022.
