Last produced in 1994, the 4 joins the 5 as the second Renault model revived this year as an EV.
Announced back in 2021 as heading for production in 2025, Renault used the media day of the Paris Motor Show to unveil the reincarnated 4 ahead of its market roll-out in Europe next year.
Returning after a 30-year hiatus, the 4, officially called the 4 E-Tech, follows the same method as the equally rejuvenated 5 in adopting a retro-styled appearance inspired by the original, but with an electric drivetrain as part of the brand’s Ampere product strategy.
Reimagined as a crossover-type five-door hatch, the 4, of which the original lasted from 1961 to 1994 in which it sold 8 135 424 units across five continents, rides on the same AmpR Small platform as the 5 with a reported 68% of components being shared with its sibling.
Comparatively and unlike the original, 4 is both longer and wider than the 5 with an overall length of 4.1 m versus 3.9 m, wheelbase of 2.6 m compared to 2.5 m, and an overall width of 1.8 m versus 1.7 m.
Standing 1.5 m tall, roughly the same as the 5 though, the 4 offers up more space with 420-litres of boot space versus 326-litres, in addition to a raised ground clearance standing at 181 mm.
Made entirely out of recycled materials Renault claims has a recyclability rate of 88.6%, the 4 E-Tech’s homage to the original includes a rectangular but now sealed-off grille with an illuminated outer surround and round headlights with LEDs.
Unique to it though is a first-time 18-inch alloy wheel option, black cladding around wheel arches, a rear facia with a passing resemblance to the Fiat 500X and unlike the 5, a charging port mounted on the front wing instead of the bonnet.
In total, seven colours have been made available; Urban Grey, Glacier White, Terracotta Brown, Starry Black, Cloud Blue, Carmin Red and Hauts-de-France Green Renault says pays homage to the Île-de-France Blue hue available on the original.
Billed as a “vehicle for everyone and for every purpose”, the 4’s interior derives heavily from the 5 E-Tech with the only nod the original being the option of a now electrically sliding canvas roof.
Again made largely out of recycled materials, the 4 carries over the same dashboard complete with the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the pair of digital instrument cluster measuring between seven and 10-inches depending on the trim level.
Along with dashboard, the 4 E-Tech’s gear lever moves the steering column and like that of the 5 E-Tech, can be engraved with a series of monograms unique to it.
Elsewhere, the same optional denim finish for the seats has been brought over from the 5, with the same applying to the centre console, air vents and the steering wheel.
New though is the option of a Renault 4 monogram on the passenger side’s dashboard, integrated ChatGPT, the Hey Reno voice command that premiered on the 5, a nine-speaker, 410-watt Harman Kardon sound system and a range of accessories including the clip-on wicker basket from the 5 capable of accommodating a baguette.
Unsurprisingly, the non-existent array of safety systems on the original 4 has been replaced by items comprising Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Safe Exit Alert, Lane Centring, Post Accident Automatic Braking, Driver Attention Alert and Automatic Parking.
Its platform having been revised with different suspension tuning to the 5 E-Tech and its steering also recalibrated, the 4 E-Tech’s choice of powertrains mirrors that of its sibling, albeit with two choices instead of three excluding that of the performance Alpine A290.
Omitting the very entry-level variant means the base 40-kWh battery only comes in one output; 90kW/225Nm with the all-electric range being 300 km.
For the flagship variant, the 52-kWh battery develops 110kW/245Nm, resulting in a range of 400 km, a limited top speed of 150 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
Supporting DC charging up to 100 kW, which will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 15-80%, the 4 does, however, come standard with an 11 kW on-board AC outlet Renault claims will take four hours 30 minutes for a full charge.
Capable of bidirectional charging means the 4 can power certain household items up to 22 kW, while also feeding power back into the grid as a result of supporting vehicle-2-load.
Not for us
On-sale in Europe from next year as mentioned with pricing to be announced then, the 4 E-Tech has unsurprisingly not been confirmed for a return to South Africa.
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