Bonjour! The Renault 4 has returned as an everyday electric car

The latest addition to Renault’s series of throwback cars repurposed for the modern age is this: the 4 E-Tech. And yes, it does come with a baguette holder. But where it separates itself from its 5-shaped sibling is size – it’s 220mm longer and 81mm taller – and brief: a bigger focus on versatility.

The original 4 was a global hit with an estimated 8.13 million shifted in five continents over a 31-year production span. It was even famously compared to a pair of jeans for its adaptive nature by former CEO Pierre Dreyfus, which has inspired the new one to quite literally get a jeans-themed interior as an option (more on that later). Umm, no pressure here, then.

But while the original was very much a basic car for people who otherwise wouldn’t have had a new car or even a car at all, the new-generation R4 is a step up from that mission, and will be more expensive than the 5.

The idea here was to reinvent the original’s looks but with modernised cues. See that horizontal bonnet and vertical grille, the stoppers in place of tow hooks and the rear-quarter windows? They’re all ideas snatched and repurposed from Pops. So is the rear pillar and the sloping tail.

The face has been freshened up with a single-piece grille made of polycarbonate glass, surrounded by a thick black mask that’s illuminated at the tips. Spherical headlights and three-segment capsule taillights sit at either end, but it’s the stuff in between that’ll get most of the oohs and aahs.

That plastic canvas roof opens three-fold and can be left partially opened to act as a sunroof, or extended fully to 92cm in length and 80cm in width. The best part? It can be activated using Renault’s virtual assistant, Reno, for those days when pressing a button feels way too laborious.

Other highlights include ornate Y-shaped, four-spoke alloys met in the middle by octagonal hubs, roof bars and a choice of up to seven colours including Carmine Red and Cloud Blue. Renault says there are up to 670 possible combinations for the R4 too since the interior can be specced to your heart’s content.

Between the three trim levels, ‘Evolution’, ‘Techno’ and ‘Iconic’, you’ll get many stitching options and colour choices, with quilted fabric thrown above the seats if you so wish. Techno is the one you want if the jeans theme is what you’re after.

Wider bits and pieces within the R4 E-Tech include a dual horizontal screen comprising a seven/10.1in digital driving display, 10in multimedia screen and a 401kW Harmon Kardon audio kit with nine speakers.

Google services and ChatGPT have been incorporated too, with that aforementioned Reno chap on hand to answer over 200 different passenger queries, and as many as 26 driver aids with level 2 ADAS.

Boot space is quoted at 420 litres, with a further 23.3 litres dotted around the interior. That new modular boot layout can also be opened by swiping your foot under the exterior floor and has a full-width bin and several hooks for, er, hooking things.

Nestled beneath all this lot is the same AmpR platform found in the R5. As much as 68 per cent of the components are shared between the two, including the powertrain, which has two battery options from launch. The longer wheelbase could have incorporated a larger battery than in the 5, but they resisted that to keep the price down.

The ‘Comfort’ gets a 52kWh unit and 150bhp/181lb ft motor, good for 186 miles of range. It’ll get to 62mph in 8.5s too, and keep going to a limited top speed of 93. Given the R4’s weight of around 1,410kg, it should be a laugh on a mildly spirited drive too. The chief engineer says it’s just as much fun as the 5, which we love.

The ‘Urban Range’ substitute cuts those figures down to 120bhp, 166lb ft and 186 miles since it gets a smaller 40kWh battery and 90kW motor. Both will come with all-terrain tyres, a heat pump and either an 11kW AC or 80kW DC charger for V2L/V2G capabilities. That should help claw some pennies back too.

Speaking of which, Renault is yet to announce pricing for the R4, but expect it to start from just past £30,000 in the UK. Reckon it can outdo Pops on the sales chart?