Renault 4 E-Tech evokes its legendary namesake in EV form

Renault took the stage at the Paris Motor Show to evoke a legend in electric form. The new Renault 4 E-Tech is a modern take on a classic, and slots just above the Renault 5 E-Tech - sort of a Captur to its Clio, if you will.

Renault is keen to show the visual trace from the old classic to the new Renault 4 E-Tech. The EV features the same dual circular headlights upfront and the sloping boot shape.

There are even easily changeable plastic bumper caps for those bumper taps that happen while parking in tight Parisian spaces. All models come with at least 18-inch wheels.

The Renault 4 was a multi-purpose vehicle - one equally adept at being a weekend car that can seat four and their luggage and a compact town car for the weekdays. The Renault 4 E-Tech is up to the challenge with an overall footprint similar to that of the Jeep Avenger/Peugeot e-2008.

The Renault 4 E-Tech will launch in front-wheel drive only (no word on a possible four-wheel drive model) with two battery and powertrain options. There's a 40 kWh battery with a WLTP range of 186 miles, paired with a 120 bhp electric motor that's good for 0-62 mph in 11 seconds. There's also a 52 kWh battery that's good for 249 miles of range and a 150 bhp motor that does the sprint to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds.

Both batteries have 11 kW AC charging and either 80 kW (40 kWh battery) or 100 kW (bigger battery) DC charging with a 15%-80% time of 30 minutes. There's bidirectional charging and vehicle-to-load support.

Inside, there's a 10-inch center console and a separate driver's display. The Renault 4 E-Tech runs the openR link system with Google baked in and there's ChatGPT integration.

Above the seats is an enormous opening roof called the Plain Sud canvas roof. Out back, there's a 14.8 ft³ trunk.

Renault hasn't given specifics on the launch date or price of the 4 E-Tech, but it should be priced between $38,500 and $49,400.