A French icon, reinvented

In one sense, you have to forget. You have to forget the memories of the old Renault 4.

Which is hard, of course. Hard, because the original Renault 4 was not only one of the best-selling cars of all time — finding more than eight-million homes in the 30 years that it was in production — but also because it was actually, for a time, made in Ireland, in Renault’s factory in Wexford.

That original Renault 4 was a style icon, but by modern standards it would feel shockingly basic, with its tiny sub-1.0-litre engine and its bare-bones cabin. Roomy? Yes. Luxurious? Definitely not.

That, though, is the real beauty of the new Renault 4 E-Tech Electric. Like the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, the new Renault 4 E-Tech Electric picks up the style of its classic forebear, but on the inside and underneath, it’s totally modern, modern in a way that would seem shocking to anyone stepping out of an original.

The design cues are certainly there, though. That same expressive face at the front, with incandescent bulbs and chrome trim both replaced by sleek LED lights. 

The same upright, practical bodywork — there are many experts who feel that the original Renault 4 was actually the world’s first SUV — and the same asymmetrical shape to the rear side glass.

Look at the boot, and you’ll see a modern LED interpretation of the original Renault 4’s boiled-sweet brake lights. It’s all very cool — retro, but with a sense of modernity, almost as if the Renault 4 had never actually been out of production, and carefully, inevitably evolved into this Renault 4 E-Tech Electric.

If the new Renault 4 pays gorgeous homage to its ancestor on the outside, on the inside it’s entirely new. Well, useful space and excellent comfort are nothing new when it comes to a Renault 4, but the ten-inch infotainment touchscreen certainly is. 

Thanks to its Google-based software, this OpenR Link screen has built-in Google Maps, which not only means it’s easy to work out where you’re going, but once you’ve entered a destination, the fully-connected drive setup means that the screen will automatically work out if you need to charge on the way, and will slot in the handiest charging points along your route as waypoints. So there’s no more need to worry about getting to your destination.

Not only do you get Google Maps, but you also get access to the Google Play store, which means more apps with which you can customise your touchscreen — from Amazon Music and Prime Video, to Waze and Spotify depending on whether you want entertainment or directions.

The screen is not the only thing you can set up, just the way you like it. The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric comes with 600 different ways you can personalise your new electric family crossover to your taste. Start with paint — there are six shades to choose from and if you’re asking then our favourite is the gorgeous Haut De France Green.

Then we look inside, where you can choose the colour and design of the space-saving gear selector, mounted on the steering column. Or you can have extra splashes of colour, or 3D-printed accessories including — yes, really — a special holder for bringing home a fresh baguette. Did you forget that Renault is a true-blue French brand?

There are roof boxes, bicycle carriers, side-steps, stickers, and more. There’s even the one true must-have option for the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric — a full-length canvas sunroof. We may not get that many truly sunny days here, but at least you’ll be able to make the most of them.

Where the new Renault 4 E-Tech Electric really follows on from the classic, original Renault 4 is in just how practical and family-friendly it is. There’s loads of space inside, both in the front and the back seats, and lots of handy storage areas dotted around the cabin. 

The boot — 420 litres of it — is not only roomy, but the boot floor sits down low, so that you can load heavy items in that much more easily, and you can even use it as a handy seat for picnics, changes of running shoes, or just admiring a gorgeous sunset.

That’s what makes the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric such a perfect family car. It has the space and versatility of a crossover, but it’s sized like a hatchback, so it’s easy to park and to drive around town, and easy on your wallet. 

You can choose from versions with a 300km or 409km range, with prices starting from €27,995, including both the Government’s SEAI grant, and the rebate of vehicle registration tax.

Renault isn’t going to just let you buy a Renault 4 E-Tech Electric and wave you on your way, either. You’ll be fully cared for and covered by a comprehensive five-year, 150,000km warranty for total peace of mind, and for the battery itself, there’s a separate eight-year, 160,000km warranty. 

That’s five years of school drops, of commutes, of family holidays, of trips to the coast, of exploring the bits of Ireland you’ve never seen before, all covered and cared for. Oh, and there’s five years of roadside Renault Assistance too.

Basically, the Renault 4 is France on wheels. The original filled a gap in the market for a simple, rugged, practical car that was mechanically robust and therefore could be used by French farmers as both transport and working tool and could just as easily withstand the unwanted attentions of Parisian parking. 

Now, the new Renault 4 E-Tech Electric is just as French as the original, but it’s modern French — forward looking, technologically advanced (after all, this is the country that gave us Concorde and the TGV almost at the same time), environmentally friendly, stylish, chic, and… and yet still totally affordable. Liberté, egalité, fraternité, all in one car.

Come see the All-New Renault 4 at Renault dealerships nationwide. 

For more information click here.