Return of the Renault 4: New images of electric crossover emerge ahead of full unveil
Dash-mounted gear lever not yet confirmed
Renault has whetted our appetites for the new 4 E-Tech ahead of the electric hatchback’s unveiling at the Paris motor show later this month with a selection of new teaser images.
Inspired by the practical, compact Renault 4 launched in 1961, the new model is designed to be a similarly versatile rival to compact electric crossovers such as the Jeep Avenger, Citroën e-C3, Kia EV3 and Peugeot e-2008.
When it arrives in dealerships in 2025, the new Renault 4 will be slightly bigger and taller than the forthcoming Renault 5 (R5) electric supermini, giving it a practicality edge over its retro sibling.
Renault has also claimed the new 4 will provide “uncompromising agility and comfort” on the road, thanks to use of Renault’s new small electric vehicle underpinnings, which will debut on the R5.
Lots of retro design touches
The design won’t be revealed in full until Renault unveils the car at its home motor show in Paris next week, but the brand has shown off some of the car’s major design features in the images released this week, including the new oblong grille with an illuminated Renault logo in the centre.
Renault has also confirmed the grille (such that it is) will be encircled by an illuminated rim, and the car’s headlights will appear inside that border, giving the appearance of being integrated into a single panel. The company says the design is supposed to remind customers of the 1960s original while adding a “techy, modern and original aura.”
Similarly, Renault has installed vertical overriders on the bumpers at the front and rear, in what is described as a “tip of the hat” to the original R4, while the pronounced taillights provide a modern twist on the classic car’s three-tier, pill-shaped rear lights.
Modern detailing and tech
Other nods to the car’s predecessor include the sculpted parallel lines on the lower parts of the doors, which hint at the plastic shielding on later-generation Renault 4s, as well as a sticker on the front wings that hints at the old car’s front fenders.
The rear quarter window’s shape and position are also inspired by the classic hatchback, but other features are decidedly more modern.
Take, for example, the clean new “4” logo on the tailgate, and the pronounced rear spoiler that contrasts with the curved roof design. The large, sharply angled bootlid beneath it is more fitting with the old R4, but it still benefits from the muscularity of a modern car design, even though a low loading sill has been retained.
The roof is also modern, although the shape is inspired by the old R4, and some variants will incorporate a retractable fabric roof into the design.
Although it wasn’t a feature of the original Renault 4, it was seen in some spin-off vehicles, and it will feature on a selection of modern Renault 4 models. There’s no word on whether it will be manually or electrically operated, however.
Made in France, coming to the UK
Once the new Renault 4 has been revealed in Paris on October 14, it will go into production at Renault’s Maubeuge factory, in France, before arriving in the UK next year. Renault will be hoping it can achieve similar success to its predecessor, which went on sale in more than 100 countries and sold more than eight million examples.
The original R4 was the first Renault family car to have a front-mounted engine, allowing the engineers to free up more space inside, and many people will remember the van versions — characterful workhorses stereotypically associated with French bakers and builders in every Gallic village.
The use of space made it a hit with buyers and Renault is now attempting a similar trick with electric vehicle packaging, using the same clever architecture that is employed in the Renault 5.
Prices for the new model have not yet been announced but Renault has confirmed that prospective customers will be able to get a fast-track place in the order book through the R4 R Pass scheme. This pass, which commands a £150 fee, allows buyers to place an order up to 15 days earlier than those without it.
The R4 R Pass also earns buyers the chance to have “miniatures” sent straight to their home and invitations to exclusive events. Unique updates will also be sent to pass holders before their official release.
Related articles
- If you found this article about the new Renault 4 E-Tech interesting, you may want to read about the fabulous new, all-electric Renault 5
- Also take a look at our review of the Renault Scenic 2024
- Looking for other options? Here are the top 10 longest-range electric cars
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