Renault unveiled the R4 E-Tech during the 2024 Paris Motor Show, inspired by the iconic “4L”. Transformed into a small, 100% electric SUV, it will have to attract a new audience.
After the R5, Renault wanted to revive another of its models which marked the history of the automobile: the Renault 4. Popular car par excellence in the 60s and 70s, the iconic “4L” had disappeared from production lines in the early 1990s. Nearly 35 years later, the French manufacturer unveiled its all-new Renault 4 during the 2024 Paris Motor Show.
The city car of the time adapted to the codes of the time. More robust and ultra-connected, the future R4 is a small SUV intended for families. Like the new R5, revealed in February as part of the Geneva Motor Show, but also the latest Megane and Scenic models, the R4 will also be 100% electric. It is therefore still a risky bet for the diamond brand which reduces its most popular models to electric energy only, therefore selling at higher prices. While waiting to know if the R4 E-Tech will experience the success of its predecessor, let’s go and discover it.
The main information of the R4 E-Tech
- The new Renault 4 does not share, and this is quite normal, the dimensions of the one produced in the 1960s. Longer by 49 centimeters (4m14 vs 3m65), wider by 31 cm (1m80 vs 1m49) and higher by 7 cm (1m57 vs 1m50), the little Renault has changed size. From a city car, they have become a small SUV.
- The silhouette of the new Renault, however, remains quite faithful to that of the “4L”. The very vertical grille, the flat hood and roof, the slightly raised ride height, and even the trapezoid-shaped rear quarter window, are all elements that recall the version of yesteryear.
- At the rear, the modernized lights are as oval as the headlights are round on the front. The tailgate, electric on certain versions, is also very vertical. The brand’s new logo is not included, only Renault is written in full while a 4 indicates the model name.
- Aboard the car, if you have already been in the new R5, drive around there is nothing to see (or almost). The R4 E-Tech takes over the dashboard of its little sister, including two 10-inch screens and the same multimedia features with OpenR Link which benefits from integrated Google. Where the R4 stands out, and to its advantage, is that it has the One Pedal function which allows the vehicle to be completely stopped without pressing the brake pedal thanks to the regenerative braking system, which is used with two paddles located behind the steering wheel.
- If the rear passengers are very cramped in the new R5, the space is much more appreciable in the R4. The increased wheelbase and 22 centimeters more of the electric crossover allow this much more generous roominess for traveling in much better conditions.
- On certain versions (Techno and Iconiq), the new R4 benefits from a canvas sunroof, yet another nod to the version from the last century. The opening is very large since it measures 92 centimeters in length and 80 in width. Enough to benefit all passengers on beautiful spring and summer days. Versions without sunroof have roof bars.
The engines
No surprises under the hood. As expected, the future Renault 4 will use the engines and battery packs of the Renault 5. The customer will therefore have the choice between the 40 kWh battery which will power a 120 horsepower electric motor and the 52 kWh battery associated with the 150 horsepower. The diamond brand announces 300 kilometers of autonomy in the WLTP cycle for the first and 400 kilometers for the second.
In terms of recharging, the two batteries go from 10 to 100% in 3h30 with the 11 kWh AC (alternating current) charger and from 15 to 80% in 30 minutes with the 100 kWh DC (direct current) fast charger for the 52 kWh battery and 80 kWh for the 40 kWh battery.
When will the R4 E-Tech be released?
Unveiled in October 2024, the new Renault 4 will be manufactured in Maubeuge, in the North, in 2025. Its marketing should begin at the end of the first half.
What will the price of the new electric Renault 4 be?
We don’t know yet. But Luca de Meo, the general director of the Renault group, left a clue at the opening of the Paris Motor Show. The first price of the future Renault 4 should be below 30,000 euros. This would be 5,000 euros more than the entry-level Renault 5 (not yet available at this price), which seems quite consistent for a vehicle intended more for families. It remains to be seen whether a 30,000 euro car can be popular. Not sure at all.