Renault 4 E-Tech: They Brought it Back?!
Well, I couldn't believe what those wacky cats at Renault have cooked up now. They've gone and resurrected the Renault 4 – yes, that Renault 4, the one your eccentric aunt Mildred used to putter around back in the '60s. But this time, it's electric, and they've slapped the rather uninspired name "4 E-Tech" on it.
Yet another retro-inspired electric car? Haven't we seen enough of those? Well, yes. But before you roll your eyes so hard they get stuck in the back of your head, hear me out. This little French fry might just surprise you.
Yes, it does look like they took the original Renault 4, gave it a good wash, a bit of a nip and tuck, and then zapped it with a futuristic ray gun. But the result is a funky little SUV that's strangely both familiar and fresh. Somehow, through sheer design magic, Renault managed to keep the iconic silhouette with those cute round headlights. Then they've added some modern touches - a massive plastic grille and some retro-inspired LED tail lights. The result? Pure class.
Inside, it's the same story. The dashboard is dominated by a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch touchscreen. And then you notice the gear lever. For some inexplicable reason, it is inspired by a lipstick tube, according to Renault. Maybe they're targeting the drag queen demographic? Who knows. Anyway, the interior is surprisingly spacious, with plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. You can even get an optional canvas roof if you want to pretend you're cruising along the French Riviera in a Citroën 2CV.
This little electric frog is powered by a single motor that drives the front wheels. You have two battery options: a 40 kWh unit that gives you a rather paltry 186 miles of range or a 52 kWh pack that bumps that up to a more usable 250 miles. Not exactly record-busting figures, but it's not meant for crossing continents. This thing is designed for zipping around town, and for that, it's more than adequate.
The base model comes with 120 horsepower, while the more powerful version manages a slightly more respectable 148 hp. So, no, you won't be winning any drag races. That translates to a 0-60 mph time of somewhere between "eventually" and "glacial." But again, Renault wants us to remember that this car isn't about speed. It's about style, practicality, and saving the planet, one electron at a time.
Renault hasn't released any official prices yet, but they've hinted that the 4 E-Tech will be "budget-friendly." Of course, "budget-friendly" is a relative term. What's budget-friendly for a Parisian art dealer might be a king's ransom for a Midwestern farmer. But if Renault can keep the price tag below $30,000, they might just have a winner on their hands.
At the same time the R4 E-Tech saw its debut, Renault also unveiled a concept car based on it. It's called the FL4WER POWER. No joke. FL4WER POWER.
Essentially, it's the 4 E-Tech after a gentle off-road makeover. It comes with a lifted suspension, chunky tires, and a mean paint job. But the interior couldn't be any more different - it is upholstered in flower-themed fabric. And... I like it. This weird combo of a rugged exterior with an interior flower oasis works for me.
The Renault 4 E-Tech is a funky, retro-inspired electric SUV. Is it perfect? No. Is it fast? Definitely not. But is it charming, practical, and surprisingly fun to drive? Absolutely. And it's certainly more interesting than another bland, cookie-cutter electric SUV. And for that, I applaud Renault.
