Renault 4 E-Tech Electric: A Legend Plugged into the Future

Renault's iconic 4L, popularly known as the Renault 4, was introduced in the late 1950s to meet the need for a volume-creating model, as noted by the brand's director at the time, Pierre Dreyfus. Now, 60 years later, the diamond brand revives this automotive legend, but with a twist—it will only be manufactured as a 100% electric version.

The challenge of reviving an iconic model lies in maintaining its lines and DNA to evoke the original at first glance, while adapting it to modern times with all the features expected in a contemporary vehicle. The aesthetic challenge has been met by Spanish designer Paula Fabregat, Renault Group's project design director, through meticulous detailing.

As Fabregat explained during the dynamic presentation of the model in Portugal, the reinterpretation was more complex than that of the R5, where the proportions perfectly accommodated the size increase. In this case, capturing the essence of the R4 from 40 years ago involved the straight lines of the front and rear, as well as the squared wheel arches, all while incorporating 21st-century solutions.

The result is a B-segment electric SUV, measuring 4.14 meters in length, with a 420-liter boot, two powertrains (80 kW -120 hp- paired with a 40 kWh battery and 110 kW -150 hp- paired with a 52 kWh battery), over 400 kilometers of range, and 16.4 cm of rear legroom. Combined with a starting price of 28,752 euros, which can be reduced to 18,000 euros with all available incentives (Moves, IRPF, and CAE), it offers families a viable option as a primary vehicle.

Dynamically, the reborn R4 performs impeccably on all types of roads, from highways to country roads, including winding mountain routes and dirt paths. As observed in Portugal, the vehicle's stability and road grip provided great confidence. Its acceleration (8.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h) allowed for swift and precise maneuvers onto transversal roads.

Externally, the grille is the first feature to catch the eye. Inspired by the classic model, its outline is continuously illuminated, as is the Renault logo at its center. The grille is lit in a monoblock format (1.45 meters long). At the rear, the lights have been modernized while retaining the three-part division reminiscent of the iconic 1960s capsule shape.

As a small unexpected feature, the rear hatch opens wider than it appears. This effect is achieved by extending the hatch towards the bumper for maximum opening and a lower loading threshold, akin to the original model.

In terms of comfort and safety, the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric is packed with technology, including Active Driver Assist for level 2 autonomous driving, 26 driver assistance systems (ADAS), and the 'My Safety Switch' button for easy adjustment of five ADAS functions with a single touch. It features a new dynamic braking system that integrates braking and ESP in the same module to halve reaction time, safe exit alerts for occupants, and features like Safety Score and Safety Coach. Not to mention the Fireman Access, which allows the battery to be extinguished in minutes in case of fire.

Additionally, the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric benefits from all of Google's connected services thanks to the openR link multimedia system and the official Renault avatar, a new daily companion. Paired with ChatGPT's artificial intelligence, it completes the range of onboard technologies in the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric.

It also features the new 11 kW AC bidirectional charger to leverage V2L (vehicle-to-load) and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) functions. This way, the vehicle can transform into a power source and even become an actor in the ecosystem by reinjecting into the decarbonized electricity grid.

The vehicle will be assembled at the Maubeuge plant, its motor in Cléon, and its battery in Douai starting March 2025. Regarding suppliers, 75% are located within a 300 km radius around the ElectriCity hub. This short circuit is a genuine commitment from the Renault Group, which, in addition to promoting local and competitive production, helps ensure employment and reduce its environmental footprint.

The dashboard features a dual horizontal screen. The first, in front of the driver, is a 10.1-inch digital instrument panel (7 inches in the entry-level version) displaying all driving-related information. The second multimedia screen is centrally located and measures 10 inches across all versions.