Retro-inspired Renault 4 ready for Paris

RENAULT has shared digital renders of its pint-sized electric crossover, a tribute to the original Renault 4, ahead of its unveiling at the Paris Auto Show on October 17.

While we don’t know much about the Renault 4 just yet, what we do know is it looks more like a cross-country mini adventure rig than a crossover.

The renders show a model reminiscent of the original Model 4, which was popular across the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and even saw production into the 90s for some regions. 

Renault says its team of designers, headed up by Renault design vice president, Gilles Vidal, has given a modern twist to the iconic model and said: “the show car will also resonate with younger generations celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the 4L Trophy humanitarian rally”.

However, where it differs is in its clear crossover focus, with what looks like fairly aggressive wheel and tyre offset, healthy ground clearance and a sleek hatch design with roof racks and a storage pod – presumably factory options. 

While the original Renault 4 did have decent ground clearance, a crossover before crossovers were an option, it was by no means as high off the ground as what the renders show the new model to be.

The model is set for production by 2025 and is rumoured to share the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi CMF-BEV platform.

The Renault 4 will sit alongside its retro-themed Renault 5 small electric hatchback stablemate, another ode to a bygone model.

The Mondial de Paris (Paris Motor Show) begins on Monday 17 October.