R17 is a carbon-fibre bodied, rear-engine EV inspired by the Renault 17

Designed by Frenchman Ora Ïto, it features a rear-mounted 270PS (199kW) motor and a carbon-fibre chassis that means the car tips the scales at just 1,400kg – more than 200kg lighter than a Mini Cooper Electric. 

It is based on the same monocoque structure as the original car with a fastback rear end, frameless doors, no B pillar, and fully opening rear side windows with second quarter windows with louvres. 

The concept's quad headlights are a clear nod to the original design, but it is 17cm wider with subtly pinched wings, plus wheels and Galactic Brown paint reimagined from the original design.

Inside, there's an instrument binnacle built from kinked rectangles and a floating centre console that emphasises the feeling of space. You get heavily bolstered front seats and a back seat moulded for two passengers in the rear; all finished in sustainable Merino and bouclé wool. 

Explaining his inspiration, Ora Ïto said: "We kept the most distinctive design features of Renault 17, starting with the front end. My aim was to add style and flow, but without altering the character of R17. You can still see the original Renault 17 and its sports coupé looks. I wanted to add my own design codes, accentuating some of the characteristics with a futuristic touch to give them a more timeless look. This is what I did with the wheels, for example. 

"My signature is also visible inside the car. We teleported Renault 17 into the future, making a few subtle changes that give it a whole new look. Our key phrase was: 'a detail is not a detail'. There is a certain ambivalence in that it is not intended to be taken entirely at face value. We were also aiming for a light-hearted touch. Renault has a strong identity, and I like that. You recognise a Renault when you see one, and this restomod is no exception to the rule."

Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer, Concept Cars, Renault, added: "Creating a new artistic take on R17 threw open a huge field of exploration, giving us the opportunity to come up with something unexpected and memorable. The creative dialogue between Ora Ïto and our Design team maintains the body lines and spirit of the original R17 while giving it a minimalist, ultra-contemporary look."

"Inside the car, the main features of R17 are given a new twist through the creative vision of Ora Ïto. The style of the geometric lines and shapes takes passengers into the comfortable world of interior design and furnishings."

With the R5 due on sale any day now and production of the R4 and Twingo EV already in the pipeline – cars that have all captured the imaginations of owners of the originals – Renault's is a proven formula, meaning there's a very real chance the R17 will be built. 

For now, though, you'll have to content yourself with seeing the show car at the Chantilly Arts & Elegant Richard Mille competition near Paris from the 12^th to the 15^th of September. After that, it will appear on Renault's stand at the Paris Motor Show from the 14^th to the 20^th of October.