Renault 17 Electric by – Ora ïto

With the release of the R17 Electric Restomod X, the French designer — long hailed as a product design enfant terrible (and one of the many reasons I started design blogging 20 years ago) — has firmly shifted gears, establishing himself as a visionary in the realm of mobility design. This bold reinterpretation of a classic Renault coupe marks not just a new chapter in automotive aesthetics but a deeper evolution of his multidisciplinary practice.

In partnership with French automotive icon Renault, the project embodies the enduring design philosophy of simplexity — the delicate art of making the complex appear effortless. From the sleek integration of electric tech into retro contours to the unexpected textures and colour treatments, every detail speaks to a masterful balancing act between nostalgia and innovation.

What’s particularly notable is the consistency of his creative voice. While his early career was marked by provocation and spectacle, this latest project shows a designer in full control — one who hasn’t abandoned the disruptive edge that made him famous, but has instead refined it into something more lasting. With the R17 Electric Restomod X, he doesn’t just redesign a car; he reimagines our relationship to motion, memory, and modernity.