First ride: Renault 4 E-Tech: less emotions, more rationality

Renault has decided to push emotions more in its city electric cars. After a well-accepted Renault 5 e-tech, the revival has no less famous Renault 4. Do not be confused with a smaller number, it is a larger and more practical model than R5. We tried the novelty around Poland Wroclaw.

Has matured time to retro

Renault has been playing for years with the idea of ​​reminding R4 design. For example, when the first generation duster was established, this legacy was expected, and later the theme of the recovery of the legend came in the 4Ever contest designer David Obhendorfer. The real return was only now.

A clear message is mainly the front mask with round matrix LED lights. More interesting is the fact that the frame of the mask forms a light belt and in the dark also the logo in the middle. This whole is under the transparent cover. The original model also refers to the rear part, the trunk door extends unusually low, which makes the loading edge only 607 mm above the ground. Another memory of R4 is the shape of the rear side door with a negative slope.

It is clear to everyone at first glance that while in the 1960s it was a simple car that would compete with Citroën 2CV, now R4 is already elsewhere. Technical solutions and equipment also stands out above its electric competitors.

Technology in common with a smaller sibling

In order to reduce both R4 and R5 production costs, both cars have the same chassis platform AMPR Small and although they look completely different in design, up to 68 percent of components have the same. However, Renault 4 E-TCH is 220 mm longer from R5 and has a larger wheelbase of 80 mm. These changes have been noticeably manifested in the interior, more precisely by sitting at the rear and 420 liters.

The drive is the same as the Renault 5, so there are two versions of both the electric motor and the batteries. In the weaker R4 power has 90 kW (122 hp) and torque of 225 Nm, in the thicker it has an electric motor 110 kW (150 hp) and 245 Nm.

Renault 4 E-TCH (Source: Peter Kálmán)

The weaker version of Urban Range has a 40 kWh battery with NMC chemistry for a range of 308 kilometers, the stronger Comfort Range with 50 kWh battery is supposed to cross 409 kilometers per charge.

The maximum charging power at DC is 100 kW up to 15 to 80 percent at that time the car is charged in half an hour. When charging AC, the on -board charger has a power of 11 kW, for 22 kW it is not possible to pay extra. From the three -phase wallbox, the larger battery is charged from 15 to 80 percent in three hours and 13 minutes.

More options, better use

The new Renault electric models are already supporting the two -way energy flow, so you can power an electric bike, grill or mower as a V2L function. In France, the car can also serve as a temporary energy storage, which is produced by photovoltaics.

If you are wondering if Renault 4 can have all wheel drive, the answer is no. Meanwhile, the car is only with the front and ground clearance of the chassis 181 mm. In the future, however, the all -wheel drive may also appear, something is already indicated by concepts, the latest R4 savanna 4×4. It could be a competitor for Jeep Avenger 4xe and later Fiat Grande Panda 4×4.

Renault 4 E-TCH (Source: Peter Kálmán)

As for variability, so much R4 does not offer. The rear seats are not sliding as in Capture, the middle backrest cannot be folded down and in the suitcase we have not found a double floor, so that after folding the rear armrests, the step remains.

However, this does not mean that there are no practical solutions. For example, the passenger backrest can be folded down to carry 2.2 meters long objects, in the trunk under the floor is a removable plastic basket, which can be easily rinsed and opposite the R5 can have a roof carrier or instead of a stylish canvas opening roof called Plein Sud. Both electric Renault can have a bicycle carrier.

New feature and cockpit from Renault 5

The interior is already known from Renault 5, the dashboard is the same, but another atmosphere is provided by leatherette upholstery. We were a little worried that we would sweat on it, but thanks to the square stitching the seats are well ventilated.

Two ten -inch screens, three levers on the right behind the wheel and a separate air conditioning panel are already in almost every Renault model. Compared to the R5, however, the levers under the steering wheel have been added to adjust the intensity of the heat recovery. A novelty is the possibility of driving with one pedal, so the car stops completely after folding the foot from the accelerator. This was missing in the R5, in the city it is a practical solution with maximum use of braking energy recovery.

We have also briefly tried driving assistants on the highway, including adaptive cruise control and actively keeping the vehicle in the lane. Everything worked without problems, and reading traffic signs.

If you are obstructed by the acoustic speed alert, just tap twice into the button at the steering wheel and the message is switched off. Of course, just for the next ride.

Instead of sports comfort

Driving dynamics is good, we had a stronger 150-horse version. In ECO mode, the acceleration is noticeably slower, but it will come alive with a strong push of the pedal to avoid risks when you simply need performance. In sports mode, it takes an acceleration from zero to a hundred 8.2 seconds, but we still chose comfort.

Renault 4 E-TCH (Source: Peter Kálmán)

It is slightly better than the R5, the chassis has a softer tuning, but the weight of 1521 kilograms and the large 18-inch wheels make their own, although they have a higher tire sidewall than R5. We would not marry the ride as an explicitly swimming, which was typical of the original R4. Multi-link rear axle helps on unevenness, which is definitely not common in the B-Segment. Driving is beautifully accurate and car is well cut twists and easily parks.

What we liked as with the R5 is the absence of P -position, after parking, you press the handbrake or just open the door and the car will automatically brake.

Cheap is not even competition yet

The competition for the R4 is mainly small crossovers from the Group Stellantis, namely Fiat 600E, Jeep Avenger Electric, Opel Mokka. However, it can also be discussed by such mini Aceman.

The cheaper and larger alternative is the Citroen E-C3 Aircross and the Opel Fronter Electric. However, these twins produced in Slovakia have significantly more modest equipment, ie less features and weaker interior processing.

In the basic equipment of Evolution, Renault has 4 e-tech heat pump, battery preheating, 10-inch screen, automatic air conditioning, full-LED lights, active lane keeping, reversing sensors, cruise control and electrical parking brake. The price revolution does not take place even in the case of R4, the offer starts from EUR 29,500 and the highest equipment is expected to be a price of EUR 36,500. Versions with a pull -out canvas roof will come later.

No replacement, separate model

In the future, the R4 should not be a replacement for Captur, Renault wants to continue to offer it along with Cli, as a hybrid alternative to fully electric models.

The new Renault 4 is not a folk car, for which two decades are used by Dacia. In this case, the manufacturer wanted to indulge as much equipment as possible, and customers have already had much higher demands from smaller cars.

Whether it was a good decision will show time. Almost 40,000 orders in Europe are at Renault 5 and is currently the best-selling electric car for home France.

Renault 4 E-TCH (Source: Renault)