Renault 4 E-Tech Electric: Testing the baguette express
The robust R4 is just as iconic as the slapstick films of French comedian Louis de Funès. And when you look at the new Renault 4, you can't help but feel nostalgic.
In our mind's eye, we can see the gendarmes in the Louis de Funès comedies driving up to the Côte d'Azur beach in their sturdy R4s and swarming out. With the new R4, Renault's designers have done an excellent job of creating references to its ancestor from the 1960s to 1980s with small details.
There's the horizontal radiator grille with round headlights, the shape of the rear lights, the gear lever on the steering wheel, and—as French as it gets—the 3D-printed basket holder for baguettes. The retro elements never seem out of place. The illuminated Renault 4 logo on the dashboard is also attractive, as is the small tricolor on the faux leather interior or gray fabric seat covers, or on the outside of the fuel filler flap, under which the charging port is hidden on the Stromer, of course.
Balanced and agile
The R4 is very maneuverable (turning circle less than 11 meters) and impresses with its precise steering. The Renault, which is 4.14 meters long and 1.81 meters wide, delivers very balanced handling and offers a lot of space for a compact car: 420 liters of trunk space, or even 1405 liters with the rear seats folded down. Only in the rear would taller passengers like a little more legroom.
The practical five-seater is available in an entry-level version with 90 kW/120 hp and a 40 kWh battery for a range of just under 310 kilometers. We are testing the more powerful version with 110 kW/150 hp, which also has a top speed of 150 km/h but completes the sprint in 8.5 seconds instead of 9.5. And thanks to the larger 52 kWh battery, our test vehicle easily offers 100 kilometers more range. So even as an e-newbie, you don't have to worry about your baguette going stale on the way home due to too many charging stops. What's more, the Renault can charge from 15 to 80 percent in 30 minutes using a 100 kW fast charger.
Compact, yet spacious
The Multisense button on the easy-to-grip steering wheel also lets you set the driving mode (Sport, Comfort, Eco, or Individual), which gives you more direct responsiveness or tighter steering, plus matching display colors—très chic! It's just a shame that Renault brakes us down to 115 km/h in Eco mode on the highway for the sake of better range. The rearview camera image could also be better: we don't want to scratch the chic «Quatrelle» unnecessarily, because overall we really like the retro Renault!
Expert opinion: Renault 4 E-Tech Electric «Iconic»
The French model combines successful retro design, an electric drive with sufficient everyday performance, and balanced handling—all at a fair price.
Advantages
+ Attractive and harmonious retro design
+ Good workmanship and intuitive operation
+ comfortable ride
Disadvantages
– Limited to 115 km/h in Eco mode
– Poor resolution of the rearview camera
