Sun's Out, Buns Out! Renault R4 E-Tech Gets a Beach Buggy Makeover
Image Credit: Maltese Design.
Life as an auto journalist often means inspecting wild monstrosities, cars that look like they were designed by a committee of caffeinated toddlers with crayons. But every so often, something truly special comes along, something that makes you spit out your tea and shout, "Crikey, that's brilliant!" And this, my friends, this Renault R4 E-Tech beach buggy concept, is one of those moments.
This French electric car isn't just another eco-friendly grocery-getter. This is a beach buggy. A proper, sun-drenched, wind-in-your-hair beach buggy. It's the kind of car that makes you want to ditch your sensible shoes, grab a surfboard, and head straight for the nearest coastline.
This magnificent machine - albeit only a digital concept - is the brainchild of designer Marco Maltese. He's taken the new Renault R4 E-Tech – which, let's be honest, is a bit bland on its own – and transformed it into something truly special. He's channeled the spirit of the old R4 JP4 "Frog," a quirky little beast from the 80s, and given it a modern, electric twist. He literally has taken a pinch of Mad Max, a dash of "The Flintstones," and a whole heap of French Riviera chic, and blended it all together into one glorious concoction.
First off, the roof's gone. Chopped off like a bad haircut. In its place, we've got a roll bar, perfect for mounting your surfboards or, you know, just looking cool. The doors? Who needs 'em? Instead you get open cutouts, so you can feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin. And the wheels? They're massive, chunky things, ready to tackle any terrain, from sandy beaches to, well, slightly less sandy beaches.
Inside, it's all about simplicity and practicality. Waterproof upholstery, a flat floor that's easy to clean – perfect for when you've got sand between your toes – and a retro-inspired steering wheel. It feels like we're stepping back in time here, but we still get all the modern conveniences. Well, most of them. Maltese has apparently ditched some of the onboard electronics, but the dual 10-inch digital cockpit from the R4 E-Tech remains - even beach bums need their gadgets.
What's powering this beach beauty? Well, Maltese hasn't exactly spilled the beans on the specs but why would he? This is a virtual creation, after all. But we can make some educated guesses. The standard R4 E-Tech, which shares its underpinnings with the R5 E-Tech, comes with a front-wheel-drive setup and a choice of power outputs. The most powerful version boasts a respectable 148 horsepower and a 52 kWh battery pack, giving it a range of around 250 miles. But this beach buggy? This needs all-wheel drive. Imagine tearing across the dunes in this thing, sand flying everywhere, the electric motor humming like a swarm of particularly enthusiastic bees. It would be epic.
Image Credit: Maltese Design.
Of course, Renault isn't planning on putting this beauty into production. Which is a crying shame. But who knows? Maybe if enough people shout loud enough, they'll change their minds. Or maybe some enterprising coachbuilder will take matters into their own hands and build a real-life version. I would be first in line to buy one. Here's a mental picture for you - cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway in this thing, the sun setting over the ocean, a cold drink in your hand. Pure bliss.
The Renault R4 E-Tech beach buggy concept is bonkers. It's brilliant, and it's exactly the kind of car the world needs right now. It's a reminder that cars should be exciting, and they should make you smile. We don't need sensible, boring boxes on wheels. We desperately need the glorious days of automobile debauchery back.
