Introduced by a concept car called 4Ever at the previous edition of this event in 2022, the modern-day 4L is revealed today in its production version at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. Presentation of this model, just as eagerly awaited as the new R5, if not perhaps even more…
8,135,424 copies is the completely respectable score achieved by the famous 4L. The adjective “famous” is therefore not overused. Of all the Renaults ever produced, the 4L is the one that has enjoyed the greatest success with the public. This means that, just as much as the R5 or even more, the R4 E-Tech electric (that’s its name) has a card to play with the public. Note, however, and its name gives an excellent indicator, that it has changed its philosophy somewhat. Portrait.
For the first time on a Renault model, the grille is backlit.
Look: a nod to her ancestor
If the surprise was great when we discovered the Renault 5 Prototype for the very first time in January 2021 at the precise moment when Luca de Meo unveiled his major strategic plan called Renaulution a few months after his arrival at the head of the Renault group, we We were a little less detailed in detailing the lines of the production version which resembles it in every way, minus the few stylistic artifices expected of a concept car.
The same goes for the Renault 4. Between the showcar unveiled in October 2022 at the previous Paris Motor Show and the production model, there are not many differences. And that’s good, many of you will no doubt say. Cubic look, straight tailgate, characteristic quarter window, round-shaped lights integrated into a backlit rectangular grille (a first for the Diamond brand) with a length of 1.45 m recalling the chrome trim of the original 4L, it subtly modernizes the look of its predecessor while giving it SUV attributes (wheel and bodywork protections , ground clearance still higher than the Renault Captur, +1.2 cm). Looking at the crowds at the stand and the reactions of the public, the bet seems won in advance.
The Renault 4 E-Tech electric uses the interior layout of the R5.
Dimensions and interior: much larger than the original but still relatively compact
Who said cars were getting bigger and bigger? If for safety reasons in particular (numerous protections to obtain good results in Euro NCAP crash tests and multiple driving aids, 26 in total according to Renault), the 4L is much longer than its ancestor which only measured 3, 65 m, it remains relatively compact in current automobile production. The proof, at 4.14 m long, it is 9 cm shorter than the Capturits thermal equivalent in the manufacturer’s range.
Logically more family friendly than the R5
Compared to the R5, it’s still 22 cm longer. But this increase also benefits the wheelbase (2.62 m, 2.54 m for the R5) and therefore the living space. If the R5 could disappoint on this point, the latest addition to the Diamond brand has nothing to be ashamed of since 4 passengers can sit comfortably on board.
The trunk, with its 420 liters of volume, is correct, nothing more. But its square shapes and its very low loading threshold (61 cm, 10 cm lower than the competition on average) make it practical to load. And with the folding passenger seat, you can even load objects up to 2.20 m long. Very good point.
For the rest, the Renault 4 takes over the dashboard and overall interior layout of its little sister. Not really a surprise then, but a good thing insofar as it incorporates its excellent OpenR Link multimedia system, now associated with ChatGPT, and its neat presentation.
For convenience, it will offer an optional canvas roof. Our German friends who loved this option on the original R4 should appreciate it, and not just them…
The Renault 4 E-Tech electric offers the choice between two engines of 120 hp and 150 hp and two batteries of 40 kWh and 52 kWh.
Technique: we take the same ones, and we start again
100% electric and therefore logically much heavier than its ancestor (1,410 kg minimum), the Renault 4 will only use the most muscular engines of the R5, not that of 95 hp… nor those of 180 hp and 220 hp of the Alpine A290 (although, after all, Fiat will soon offer its 600 in an Abarth version with more than 280 hp, we can always hope…). Customers will have the choice between a 120 hp version and another of 150 hp. Speed limited to 150 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h can be done in 8.5 s for the first, 7 s for the second. Ample performance.
A “One pedal” function
Based on the same AmpR Small base (ex-CMF-B EV) as the R5, it will also use the same two batteries of 40 kWh and 52 kWh given for respectively 300 and 400 km of autonomy. To save precious kilometers, it can count on a “One pedal” function allowing you to come to a complete stop without touching the brake but by simply releasing the accelerator pedal, unlike the R5.
On the charging side, the power is average for the segment with 11 kW in alternating current (AC, for charging at home or small public terminals) but another 90 kW in direct current (DC) for the Renault 4 of 120 hp and 110 kW for the 150 hp one. In the best configuration, we can recover 15 to 80% autonomy in 30 minutes.
The marketing of the Renault 4 E-Tech electric is planned for the beginning of next year at unknown but undoubtedly moderate prices, like the R5.
Price and release date: an unknown, but good prospects
Production is already scheduled to begin next March. If the range of finishes is known (there are three: Evolution, Techno, Iconic) nothing has been announced for the prices. Logically, given its superior status and its size, it should start higher than the €27,900 excluding bonus of the 120 hp R5 in base finish. Let’s bet on a first prize under €30,000, in terms of image. Nothing to do with the 4L of yesteryear and its low prices.
We can only hope that the government does not reduce the €1,000 bonus to €3,000 as planned in the 2025 finance bill, which would not do its business. But, with solid arguments on paper and nostalgia required, this Renault 4 E-Tech electric should still be successful.
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