The New Renault 4 electric vehicle
Electric cars have been making headlines for some time but this latest story of nostalgia should really pique your interest. It seems the Renault 4 from the 1960s might make a comeback as an all-electric crossover in European markets. This reboot has the makings of a fascinating end result combining the old Renault 4 name with today’s modern-day styling, technology and powertrains.
Reinventing The Old Classic Renault 4
According to patented images found online, the Renault 4 electric crossover may follow in the tracks of the latest Renault 5 electric hatchback remake. The difference is that they are replacing the old Renault 4 hatchback shape with a high-riding body style based on the leaked images.
While the reimagined Renault 4 electric crossover design shows a squared-off, boxy shape, it’s staying true to the original by offering families a quality, affordable and spacious vehicle but with added style, similar to the Renault Captur. We can expect this car to be the small counterpart to the Renault 5 electric light hatch which was revealed early in 2021.
As with the Renault 5, the new electric Renault 4 could see several retro design touches. This includes headlights and grille neatly seated in a single frame, a set of stylised wheels surrounded by plastic cladding, horizontal lighting signatures, a vented C-pillar and a front bumper design mimicking the original car’s steel bumpers and a new Renault logo featuring the number 4.
Possible Powertrain Options For The Renault 4 Electric Crossover
Looking back, the original Renault 5 took inspiration and borrowed technology from the Renault 4 but now the roles could be reversed. Renault CEO, Luca De Meo has already confirmed that the Renault 5 will use the CMF-B platform of the Renault-Nissan alliance currently in the Renault Zoe.
Chances are good that the same technology will be applied to the new Renault 4 to keep production costs to a minimum without sacrificing quality. While there is no confirmation of specifications for either model, if the Zoe is anything to go by, we can expect something similar.
Currently, the Renault Zoe has a 50kWh battery, a maximum range of 245 miles, 50kW fast charging capabilities with two electric motor options; 132bhp and 108bhp.
According to De Meo: “There have been so many products that made history, so it would be a pity not to reconnect with that long history and tradition. We’re not here to only look in the rear-view mirror, we’re here to reinvent things and I think the Renault 5 is a good example. A lot of people say to me, ‘why are you doing retro design?’ This is not a retro design, it’s just a reinvention of a concept. In our library, we have a lot of things that we can reinvent.”
It seems the Renault 4 concept could be unveiled towards the end of this year which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the original R4 which launched in 1961. Considering the concept has not been built yet, the car in trademark images is likely one of many options they are considering.
If the concept launch goes well, the Renault 4 project could get the go-ahead after the new Renault 5 makes its debut. That means the first deliveries will likely be in late 2023 or early 2024 making good on Renault’s ‘Renaulution’ business plan of introducing 24 new models by 2025, one of which is the electric Renault 4 crossover.
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