So the Renaulution continues apace. Following hot on the heels of the 5 E-Tech is the slightly more family friendly SUV alternative - the Captur to the 5’s Clio, if you will - 4 E-Tech. Debuted at the Paris motor show (where else?) ahead of sales next year, this is nothing less than the ‘blue-jean’ car of the 21 st century… designed to do it all.’ Whatever your lifestyle, Renault wants it to fit. And if it can sell another eight million of these like the original 4, then everyone’s happy.
While much is shared between 4 and 5, which we’ll come to in a sec (AmpR Small platform, battery pack sizes, performance, range and so on), it clearly has a visual identity all of its own. Nods to the past come in the form of the funky canvas sunroof, the grille, LED lights that ape the original and some retro colours - including the very fetching Hauts-de-France Green. If understandably less extreme than the concept, it’s easy to see where the 4 E-Tech has borrowed from the 4EVER Trophy car of 2022. And if maybe not as instantly lovable as a 5, the 4 at least has a look all of its own. Useful in a very crowded sector. Plus there are 670 combinations of colour, trim and wheel, if none of these appeal, before even thinking about the 3D-printed accessories.
Speaking of the 5, the 4’s mechanical make up very closely resembles the hatch; Renault reckons that around 68 per cent of parts are shared between them. So the same battery packs (40 or 52kWh) and power outputs (122hp and 150hp) are offered, with 80kW charging on the lower powered 4s and 100kW on the punchier model. Up to 248 miles will be possible. New tech means the 52kWh battery now weighs less than 300kg, with no rare earths or permanent magnets, and the 4 E-Tech will be compatible with both Vehicle to Load and Vehicle to Grid charging via the 11kW bidirectional charger. While speed has never really been the point of a 4, the most powerful E-Tech is said to zip to 62mph in less than 8.5 seconds. Of more use will likely be one pedal drive in a Renault EV for the first time, plus the Extended Grip traction control that will enable some mild off roading.
Where the 4 will differ most significantly from the 5, of course, is in size and space. This is 4.14m long, 1.80m wide and 1.57m high, weighing from 1,410kg. The boot capacity is 420 litres, with the additional benefit of a low loading lip, loads of bag hooks, fold flat seats and ‘ingenious storage compartments.’ 18-inch wheels are standard. If the 5 is for the cool urban couple, this’ll be what they move into with their first pair of puppies. Renault says kneerom and headroom are comparable to a Captur.
More excitingly, there will be very different moods struck by each spec of 4 E-Tech. The Evolution model will feature contrast stitching in the colours of the tricolour, and the Techno features recycled polyester fabric upholstery, saturated blue to resemble jeans. Complete, even, with copper rivets. Yellow features throughout all models, as does a houndstooth pattern for the seats. Despite some familiar fonts and screens, this is surely not going to be mistaken for anything but a 4. The Reno avatar will be on hand to help with operation of the car, if the kids aren’t around or you’ve forgotten how to disable the ADAS (there are 26 driving aids, after all). It’s aided by ChatGPT, and aims to ‘help customers understand aspects relating to electrical functions. It is easy to use, even for non-geeks.’ Heard it here first.
There are aspects of the 4 E-Tech to appeal to more traditional PH tastes as well, though. Renault reckons the multi-link rear brings ‘more dynamic performance on tight corners and greater stability on wider corners, as well as an improved level of comfort with the reduction of percussion noise’, for one thing. The regen is adjusted by wheel-mounted paddles, and a new braking system puts ESP and actually slowing down in one module for sharper responses.
Renault brand CEO Fabirce Cambolive said: “With Renault 4 E-Tech electric, Renault is pursuing its efforts to bring electric vehicles into the mainstream in Europe… We were missing a compact car with real space. Now we have it with this versatile, functional, modular model with a large, easy-to-load boot. A car able to satisfy a wide variety of everyday needs. It’s a mainstream electric car in tune with its times, with a host of useful technologies for driving and comfort.”
Certainly more interesting than most small electric SUVs, we’ll give Renault that. We’re told to expect sales to kick off for UK customers in Q2 of next year, ahead of deliveries in the autumn.
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