Return of the Renault 4: Full details and images from Paris motor show unveiling
Higher-riding than Captur, cool retro design touches
It was as much an icon of 1960s France as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve, and now it’s back; the new Renault 4 has been revealed in full at the Paris motor show, 63 years after the original was launched.
The new model, which is built at Maubeuge, France, with 75 per cent of suppliers within a 190-mile radius of the factory, 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 UK dealerships around the middle of next year, the new Renault 4 will be slightly bigger and taller than the forthcoming Renault 5 (R5) electric supermini on which it is based (and shares 68 per cent of its components), giving it a practicality edge over its retro sibling.
The new R4 measures just over four metres in length, 22cm longer than the R5, but more significantly its front and rear wheels have been pushed further apart, to a “wheelbase” of 2.62m (compared with 2.54m), which frees up interior space. Renault says rear seat occupants benefit from generous amounts of knee room for what is still, technically, a vehicle in the “small car” segment.
A high roofline means there’s a comparatively large amount of headroom, too, and the electrically-opening canvas roof, Renault says, doesn’t eat into that while still managing to keep out wind noise at high speeds.
Renault has also claimed the new 4 will provide “uncompromising agility and comfort” on the road, thanks to use of the same underpinnings that debuted on the R5. We love that car’s supple yet “fun” suspension, which contributed significantly to our five-star review. The R4, though, has its body raised up further – and in fact it’s 1.2cm higher off the deck than even the Renault Captur compact SUV.
That extra ground clearance will help with trips off the beaten track and navigating city road bumps and potholes, as will damping tuned for an even smoother ride. Renault also says the steering has been tuned for city use, with a quicker rack and tighter turning circle.
The electric motor and battery options for the Renault 4 are identical to that of the Renault 5, with buyers able to opt for a car with a range of either 186 or 250 miles per charge. Go for the larger of the two and it is connected to an electric motor producing 148bhp for a 0-62mph time of 8.5sec, while the smaller battery comes with a 118bhp e-motor good for the same sprint in… well, Renault hasn’t disclosed that but it’ll take a little longer.
Whichever they go for, buyers will benefit from a heat pump, which maximises energy efficiency when heating and cooling the cabin, as well as “bi-directional charging” – that means you can power external high voltage devices from the battery or feed electricity back into the grid (though you’ll need a compatible home charger and energy tariff to do so).
And, as with the R5, the R4 with the larger battery comes with the ability to recharge at up to 100kW on a DC charger, while the smaller can take an 80kW charge. That means the ability to take the battery from 15 to 80 per cent full in 30 minutes when on a long trip. Charging using an AC home wallbox is possible at 11kW, for a 10-100 per cent recharge in 4 hours 30 minutes.
Retro design touches
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.”
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 wings.
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 rear hatch, 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.
Modern, functional interior
Inside, dual horizontal screens mirror the set-up of the new Renault 5, with a 10in central multimedia screen coming as standard equipment. In higher trim levels, Renault’s OpenR Link system with Google built-in can provide a range of downoadable apps, including Google Maps with charging-optimised route planning and pre-conditioning of the battery as a charging stop approaches.
The system will also include Reno – Renault’s virtual assistant – which can answer questions and perform tasks such as scheduling charging and even open the roof.
The boot has a capacity of 420 litres – significantly more than the R5’s capacity of 326 litres – and is accesible via a powered tailgate. Renault says its wide, high opening and low load sill make the R4 even more pracitcal, and it comes with four lashing hooks, two bag hooks, rubber bands to hold objects in place and storage compartments – including a 35-litre underfloor area for the charging cable.
The folding rear bench seat can combine with a fold-flat front passenger seat for a load length of 2.2m, adding extra practicality.
Return of a classic
The original R4, which went on sale in more than 100 countries and sold more than eight million examples, was the first Renault family car to have a front-mounted engine, allowing the engineers to free up more space inside. Many people will remember the van versions — characterful workhorses stereotypically associated with French bakers and builders in every Gallic village. There’s no word yet on whether a modern R4 van will join the passenger car version.
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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