Renault has revived its iconic 4, with 4 E-Tech electric crossover makes its debut on the first press day of the Paris Motor Show 2024.
Like the closely related 5 E-Tech, the 4 E-Tech has a retro style. In this case, the new car refers to the R4 produced between 1961 and 1992, although the overall design is sharper and chunkier.
The production-ready 4 E-Tech unveiled in Paris last night is less extreme than the 4ever Trophy concept shown at the 2022 show.
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The front is dominated by a sheet of clear plastic that stretches the entire width of the car, behind which live the LED headlights, illuminated Renault emblem and ‘grille’ – a very 2020s version of the rectangular frame that was used to house the car. headlights and functional grille on the original.
Other features that can be found are the ribs on the doors, the shapes of the side windows and the slope of the tailgate.
On some trim pieces, the contrasting black roof and trim along the top of the side windows are reminiscent of the chrome strip that separated the roof from the rest of the 4’s original body.
However, the black wheel arch protectors and the much more compact dashboard to axle ratio are clear signs that we are in 2024 rather than the 1960s.
Inside, the new model’s cabin is no different from the spartan interior of the original. As is practically the norm these days, there’s a 7.0 or 10.1-inch digital instrument screen and a large infotainment display – in this case 10.0 inches on all variants – on top of the dashboard.
The range of customization options is extensive, with buyers able to choose from a variety of accent colors, wheel designs, contrasting roof and hood paint, shift levers, 3D printed cargo box covers and interior fabrics, stitching and rivets.
All in all, Renault has the 4 E-Tech available with 670 styling combinations. Other options include a fabric roof with electric opening and closing mechanism and a 410W Harmon Kardon sound system.
As with the original cars, the 4 E-Tech is a larger and more spacious beast than the 5 E-Tech.
At 4140mm long, 1800mm wide, 1570mm high and with a wheelbase of 2620mm, the 4 is a total of 220mm longer, 30mm wider, 70mm taller and has an 80mm longer wheelbase than the 5.
Despite the increased ride height of 181mm and off-roader styling, the 4 E-Tech will not be available with all-wheel drive at launch. Instead, the 4 is available with a custom traction control system and two off-road-oriented driving modes: Snow, which reduces available torque, and All-Terrain, which increases the amount of torque.
The boot can hold up to 420 liters of stuff, and features a low tailgate, four tie-down hooks, two bag racks and 35 liter underfloor storage.
All variants ride on 18-inch wheels, with the base model featuring aerodynamic plastic wheel covers, and higher trim levels featuring two different alloy wheels.
Both the new 4 E-Tech and 5 E-Tech models are based on the Renault AmpR Small platform and as such share powertrain options.
Entry-level models are equipped with a 40 kWh battery attached to a 90 kW/225Nm engine that drives the front wheels. According to the WLTP standard, the range is 300 km, and this variant supports DC fast charging up to 80 kW.
Higher specification models have a 52 kWh Nickel-manganese-cobalt battery combined with a 110 kW/245Nm motor for the front wheels. The range is claimed to be 400 km, with 100 kW DC fast charging and 11 kW AC charging supported.
This powertrain accelerates from 0-100 km/h in less than 8.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 150 km/h.
The new Renault 4 E-Tech will enter European driveways from 2025. Time will tell if it will last as long and be as popular as the original, which sold 8,135,424 worldwide.
Production will, at least initially, only take place in Maubeuge, France, while the first-generation car was produced throughout Europe, Africa and South America, as well as in Victoria.
MORE: Everything Renault
