Bonjour! The Renault 4 E-Tech Is Back
Renault’s latest foray into retro-inspired electric vehicles brings back the beloved 4. This new iteration, the 4 E-Tech, aims to recapture the charm of the original while offering modern features and enhanced versatility.
A Nod to the Past, a Step into the Future
The new Renault 4 E-Tech distinguishes itself from its sibling, the R5, in several key ways. It’s 220mm longer and 81mm taller, emphasizing versatility—a trait that made the original 4 a global success. The original, with an impressive 8.13 million units sold across five continents over 31 years, was often lauded for its adaptability. The new model pays homage to this legacy. A jeans-themed interior is even an available option, inspired by former CEO Pierre Dreyfus’s comparison of the car to a pair of jeans.
While the original 4 was a basic, affordable car, the new generation introduces advanced features and a higher price point, making it a step up from its predecessor. The design successfully reimagines the original’s iconic look, with subtle modernized elements. The horizontal bonnet, vertical grille, and rear-quarter windows are all subtle nods to the original.
The face of the car features a single-piece grille crafted from polycarbonate glass, framed by a sleek black mask with illuminated tips. Spherical headlights and three-segment capsule taillights add to the visual appeal. A standout feature is the plastic canvas roof, which opens threefold and can serve as a sunroof or extend to 92cm in length and 80cm in width. Remarkably, this feature can be controlled using Renault’s virtual assistant, Reno.
Interior and Technology
Other design elements include Y-shaped, four-spoke alloys, roof bars, and a palette of seven colors, including Carmine Red and Cloud Blue. With three trim levels available—Evolution, Techno, and Iconic—buyers can choose from various stitching options, color schemes, and quilted fabric. The Techno trim will offer the much-desired jeans theme.
The interior features a dual horizontal screen setup, with a 7/10.1-inch digital driving display and a 10-inch multimedia screen. A 401kW Harmon Kardon audio system with nine speakers provides an immersive sound experience. Google services and ChatGPT are integrated, and the Reno virtual assistant can answer over 200 passenger queries and assist with 26 driver aids with level 2 ADAS.
Performance and Specifications
Boot space is a generous 420 liters, with an additional 23.3 liters of storage within the cabin. The modular boot layout can be opened by swiping a foot under the exterior, and it includes a full-width bin. The car utilizes the AmpR platform, shared with the R5, with 68% of the components being similar between the models. Two battery options will be available at launch. The ‘Comfort’ version features a 52kWh unit and a 150bhp/181lb ft motor, offering a range of 250 miles and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.5 seconds; top speed is limited to 93 mph. Its weight of around 1,410kg should make for a spirited drive. The ‘Urban Range’ model has a 40kWh battery and a 90kW motor, reducing these figures to 120bhp, 166lb ft, and 186 miles of range.
Both models will include all-terrain tires, a heat pump, and either an 11kW AC or 80kW DC charger for V2L/V2G capabilities. Renault has not yet announced pricing for the R4, but it is expected to start from just over £30,000 in the UK. The question remains: Can the new R4 match the success of its predecessor?
