Renault 4 E-Tech. The Renault 4 E-Tech is a battery electric vehicle manufactured by Renault with production set to commence in 2025. It is a crossover utility vehicle based on the same AmpR Small platform as the Renault 5 E-Tech and takes its name from the Renault 4 hatchback that was produced from 1961 to 1994.

History

In 2021, the Renault 4ever was announced as one of several new EVs Renault would introduce by 2025. "4Ever" is the name of the EV project that resulted in the 4Ever Trophy prototype concept car first shown at the Paris Motor Show in October 2022. The 4 E-Tech is a compact crossover cousin of the forthcoming all-electric Renault 5 E-Tech. Both the 4 E-Tech and 5 E-Tech are based on the same AmpR Small platform; because the AmpR Small platform shares half of its components with the existing CMF-B platform, production costs are expected to be two-thirds of the current B-segment EV offered by Renault, the Zoe. The 4 E-Tech is expected to sell at a premium compared to the 5 E-Tech; the relationship between the 5 E-Tech and the 4 E-Tech is expected to be analogous to the relationship between the CMF-B based Clio and Captur.

A commercial panel van variant is also planned which will share the front end and front compartment of the 4 E-Tech with an enlarged cargo area, similar to the relationship between the R4 Fourgonnette and the original Renault 4.

The 4 E-Tech will be built alongside the 5 E-Tech at Renault ElectriCity, a planned union of three existing Renault factories in northern France, Douai, Maubeuge, and Ruitz; ElectriCity is scheduled to produce 400,000 EVs per year by 2025. Both the SUV and van variant of the 4 E-Tech will be assembled at Maubeuge, while 5 E-Tech will be assembled at Douai; because the AmpR Small cousin Nissan Micra EV also will be assembled at Douai, production of the 4 E-Tech SUV was shifted to Maubeuge. In addition, Renault plans to build a new battery factory in Douai as a joint venture with Envision AESC.

Earlier use of "4ever" and electromod
In 2011, Renault sponsored the "Renault 4ever" contest that "aim[ed] to revive the R4's spirit" and celebrated the original R4's 50th anniversary. The contest was held conjunction with the web magazine designboom. The competition was won by Mark Cunningham, who received a vintage R4 rally car.

In 2019, a vintage R4 Plein Air convertible was restored and shown at the 10th annual Renault 4L International Festival in 2019. The one-off electromod also was fitted with a battery-electric powertrain borrowed from the Twizy; the single traction motor had an output of  and  of torque, and the 6.1 kW-hr battery gave it a range of approximately .

Concept car 
A few teaser photos were released on 4 October, ahead of the official debut on 17 October 2022. The concept 4Ever Trophy was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 4L Trophy humanitarian rally, and was equipped with modifications to increase its off-road capabilities, including a raised suspension giving a ground clearance of  and a custom carbon-fibre roof rack with LED lighting housing the vehicle's spare tire. 

The centre section of AmpR Small is modified from the conventional CMF-B to accommodate a flat, underfloor battery. Based on planned AmpR Small specifications, the 4ever is expected to have a range of up to  using an electric traction motor with a maximum output of . Powertrain details of the 2022 Trophy concept confirmed the power output and battery capacity (42 kW-hr), but the range was not rated as it was not a drivable prototype.

Production model 
The production model was revealed on 15 October 2024 at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.

References

External links
https://www.renault.co.uk/concept-cars-range/renault-4ever-trophy.html

4 E-Tech
Cars introduced in 2024
Subcompact crossover sport utility vehicles
Retro-style automobiles