Renault’s R17 Restomod: Ora Ïto's Retro-Futuristic Masterpiece
Here’s something you don’t see every day: a French designer called Ora Ïto taking Renault’s 1970s R17 coupe—a car that was about as desirable as a bad haircut—and turning it into a head-turning, retro-futuristic dream machine. Yeah, I said it—electric restomod. But before you roll your eyes and think this is another one of those dreary electric cars that promise a thousand miles of range and leave you contemplating existential dread, hold up. This isn’t just an electric car; it’s a design statement that looks like it just stepped off the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey and straight into a Parisian art gallery.
Renault’s Designer Affair
Renault has been playing around with this designer collaboration thing for a while now. It’s as if they’re trying to remind us that they’re cultured and sophisticated, instead of the folks who brought us the Espace and the Kangoo. This time, they’ve handed over the keys to Ora Ïto, a man who could make a brick look like a masterpiece. And I’ll tell you what—he’s worked some serious magic on the R17.
Let’s be real: the original R17 was more "geography teacher’s weekend fun car" than anything that’d turn heads. But with Ora Ïto’s retro-futuristic touch, it’s now the kind of car Austin Powers would call his shaggin’ wagon. It’s retro, it’s futuristic, and, honestly, it’s just a little bit bonkers. And I love it.
A Cinematic Ride
The R17 restomod keeps a few bits from its 1970s ancestor—like the cabin, doors, and windows—but the magic happens in the details. The headlights? They’re four round, futuristic beauties. The body? It’s grown in size, lost the unnecessary clutter, and adopted a sleek, frameless design with louvers that scream Blade Runner. And the rear lights? One glorious strip that looks like it belongs on a Tron light cycle. It’s clean, it’s cohesive, and—dare I say it—it’s elegant.
Ora Ïto says the design isn’t directly inspired by anything, but somehow it evokes The Shining, Back to the Future, and—of course—2001: A Space Odyssey. If that’s not the perfect Venn diagram of vintage cool, I don’t know what is. And if you’re wondering if this car’s cool enough for Ed Sheeran to launch his next album in it, well, apparently Ora thinks so. Not sure if that’s a compliment or a curse, but it certainly makes for a bold statement.
Simplexity: The Ora Ïto Way
Ora Ïto has this thing he calls "simplexity," which is all about making the complex simple. And thank God for that. Have you seen some of these new electric cars? They look like a toddler’s art project with an overzealous use of rulers and Skittles. But this R17? It’s easy on the eyes. There’s no overcomplication here. Nothing’s shouting for attention. Everything just… works. Even the yellow headlights, which Ora initially didn’t like, now seem like a stroke of genius.
A Living Room on Wheels
Inside, Ora Ïto’s vision really comes to life. The goal? To make the interior feel like a living room—and he absolutely nailed it. Picture this: fuzzy materials and a vibe straight out of the 1950s, when people thought the future would be all about shiny surfaces and zero practicality. You don’t sit in this car; you step into a time machine with a touch of mid-century modern chic.
And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t even smell like a car. Seriously, it smells like a living room. No petrol, no leather—just a comforting whiff of nostalgia. Weird? Maybe. But it’s also kind of brilliant. I mean, who doesn't want their car to smell like they’re living the dream?
The Bigger Picture
Behind all this flair is Renault’s Chief Designer, Sandeep Bhambra, who worked alongside Ora Ïto to make sure the R17 isn’t just a pretty face. This isn’t some vanity project; it’s a glimpse into Renault’s future—a sign that they might actually know what they’re doing with this whole electric car thing. Will this restomod influence Renault’s future models? Probably. Will it sell by the thousands? Unlikely. But does it even matter? Not one bit.
The Renault R17 restomod is not about practicality or mass appeal. It’s about reminding us that cars can still be fun, exciting, and absolutely gorgeous. Sure, this won’t be the car everyone drives, but for those who appreciate beauty, this is a work of art on wheels.
Conclusion: A Bold, Brilliant, and Beautiful Madness
Hats off to Ora Ïto and Renault for pulling this off. The R17 restomod is bold, it’s brilliant, and it’s the kind of madness the car world needs right now. If only they’d let us take it for a spin. Until then, I’ll just have to dream of cruising through Paris in this retro-futuristic masterpiece.
