Renault 4 E-Tech: the electric crossover that disorients us
Renault is reviving the 4L, 100% electric and significantly larger. © Renault
Renault plays on the heartstrings, bringing back to life models that were successful a few decades ago. We saw it with the R5 E-Tech, recently triedwhich turns heads as rarely a Renault has done, and it is now the turn of the legendary 4L to make its return, with the Renault 4 E-Tech, which aims to be a “retro-futuristic reinvention” of the original Renault 4 from the 60s, with a practicality and budget-oriented nature.
If the R5 is a real aesthetic success, the 4L leaves us a little unsatisfied. The lineage is clearly present, with this slightly raised ride height, the very vertical front, the very flat hood and roof and even the presence of the rear quarter window. The whole does not always appear completely homogeneous to us, however, especially in full profile.
Economies of scale
The R4 E-tech sharing is based on the same AmpR Small architecture as the R5, and shares 68% of its components with it.
However, it is 22 cm longer than the city car, with a length of 4.14 m. It is also 3 cm wider (1.80 m) and 7 cm taller (1.57 m). We are very far from the dimensions of the 4L of the 1960s (3.65 m long, 1.49 m wide and 1.50 m high), but times have changed and the new model is indeed a “small” car.
The R4 relies heavily on the Renault 5 E-Tech from which it takes the engines, batteries and platform. © Renault
The additional length is distributed across the wheelbase (+8 cm to 2.62 m) and the rear overhang (+14 cm). Enough to free up a generous trunk space of 420 liters which can be extended up to 1,405 liters by folding the bench seat. Better still, all passenger seats, including the front, can fold into a wallet, allowing you to carry objects up to 2.20 m long, practical!
Generous interior
Rear passengers are pampered thanks to the increased wheelbase and ample headroom, allowing adults of good size to travel without hindrance.
We find the “tulip” seats of the R5, which are dressed differently depending on the three finishing levels (Evolution, Techno and Iconic). In front of the driver, we find the identical dashboard of the R5, with two 10.1-inch screens, one for the instrumentation and the other for infotainment, all based on the openR system. Link with integrated Google.
The space dedicated to rear passengers is generous with legroom and good headroom. © Renault
A small detail, however, appears with the steering wheel paddles which allow you to choose the strength of the regenerative braking on four levels, going up to the One Pedal function. If this system will arrive later on the R5, another specificity will remain the prerogative of the R4: the Extended Grip option which adds two driving modes for difficult conditions (snow and off-road).
Engines without surprises
The Renault 4 E-Tech uses the two battery packs of the R5 as well as its engines. The model then offers a choice of a 40 kWh battery powering a 120 hp motor or a 52 kW battery powering a 150 hp motor. The range is then respectively 300 km and 400 km.
Under the hood, 120 or 150 hp are available. © Renault
On the charging side, it's 11 kW in standard AC and 80 kW or 100 kW depending on whether you opted for the small or large battery for DC fast charging.
Strong prices
The Renault 4 E-Tech is very nice, with a neat interior and space for its occupants, but it is no longer the small practical vehicle that you torture without remorse at a decent price. Here, the price is promised below €30,000 for the entry-level Evolution (excluding ecological bonus) with only 300 km of autonomy.
If the prices are high, the services offered and the good modularity partly justify them. © Renault
For this price, you have a vehicle designed and produced in France, which is not negligible, but the vehicle seems far removed from the “real” Renault 4.
