Renault 4 E-Tech: the electric crossover that disorients us

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 tested, which turns heads like a Renault rarely does, 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 1960s, with a nature focused on practicality and budget.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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