- Renault 4 E-Tech debuts because the extra sensible different to the 5 E-Tech hatchback.
- It shares 68% of the hatchback’s elements in a barely bigger and extra sensible physique.
- It presents as much as 250 miles of WLTP vary, bidirectional charging and ChatGPT integration.
Making electrical autos interesting to consumers is changing into more difficult because of the growing variety of fashions within the phase and elevated competitors amongst automakers. Renault needs to make its electrical fashions, at the very least its smaller choices for now, stand out by infusing them with revived traditional designs from the corporate’s previous.
After launching the Renault 5 E-Tech modeled after the Nineteen Seventies traditional metropolis automobile bearing the identical title, it confirmed the prototype for an upcoming Twingo revival impressed by the Nineties mannequin. Now it has revealed the Renault 4 E-Tech, a B-segment electrical crossover that harkens again to the traditional 4L that was in manufacturing for over 30 years, between 1961 and 1994.
Over 8 million 4Ls had been constructed, so it was a quite common sight on European, South American and African roads, and its iconic form must be immediately recognizable to consumers, or so Renault hopes. The producer is positioning the 4 E-Tech because the extra sensible, extra spacious different to the 5 E-Tech hatchback, focusing on a broader viewers that features younger households.
It’s 163 inches (4.13 meters) lengthy, or about 6 inches shorter than a Chevy Bolt EUV, it has 7.1 inches (18 centimeters) of floor clearance, and its trunk has a most load quantity of 14.8 cubic ft (420 liters). Beneath its retro-futuristic physique is similar bespoke EV platform that underpins its hatchback cousin, the 5.
Solely front-wheel drive is obtainable, with both a 121 hp motor that produces as much as 166 lb-ft of torque or a extra highly effective 148 hp unit with a peak torque score of 181 lb-ft. The latter can dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and the highest velocity is restricted to 93 mph (150 km/h) for each variants.
Two battery packs can be found: 40 kilowatt-hours and 52 kWh, with WLTP vary scores of 186 miles (300 km) and 250 miles (402 km). Each can DC quick cost at as much as 100 kW from 15% to 80% in about half-hour. The 11 kW onboard charger can convey the battery from 10% to full in 4 and a half hours.
Just like the Renault 5 E-Tech, the 4 E-Tech has bidirectional charging functionality at as much as 11 kW, permitting it to run home equipment or energy instruments (V2L) and return power to the grid (V2G), however it will probably’t energy your own home (V2H). Not like older Renault (and Nissan) EVs, the revived 4 and 5 have a warmth pump that helps heat the cabin extra effectively in winter whereas additionally serving to the car maintain its battery pack at optimum working temperature.
The 4 E-Tech shares 68% of its elements with the 5 E-Tech, together with the unbiased entrance and rear suspension setup, and even with its barely bigger footprint and crossover type issue, it’s nonetheless gentle for an EV. The small-battery variant weighs simply over 3,100 kilos (1,400 kilograms).
Its exterior design stays near the 4ever Trophy idea, which drew quite a bit from the unique, however it’s a lot much less aggressive, ditching the examine’s bulging flanks and enormous overfenders. Possibly Renault is planning to launch a extra off-road-oriented variant that can extra carefully mirror the 4ever Trophy idea—there’s a area of interest for EVs that may deal with tough terrain, and it could actually increase the mannequin’s cool issue and attraction.
The inside seems virtually an identical to the 5 E-Tech, that includes a 10-inch central show and an accessible nine-speaker non-compulsory audio system by Harman Kardon. The infotainment has ChatGPT integration and may be capable to perceive and reply extra complicated voice instructions.
The Renault 4 E-Tech was simply revealed on the Paris motor present, and its debut was confirmed for 2025, though a precise timeframe was not made public. We don’t have any pricing data but, nevertheless it ought to value underneath €30,000 in base type.