“We wanted to stay true to the [original] Renault 4, but we wanted it to be super-modern and protected into the future,” he said, adding that the car needed to “have its own message” as “my kids don’t care so much about the [original] 5 or the 4”.
As with the original, usability and practicality were key elements of the design brief, said Vidal. “The message is about its practicality,” he said. “We had to create a car around its practical nature so we did not betray the 4 name.”
This is reflected by the 420-litre boot’s low loading level: at 607mm off the ground, Renault claims it’s 100mm lower than rivals’. This allows for easier loading and also enables the boot to be used as a seat – another nod to the original.
The boot features a host of cubbies, including a large (and removable) 35-litre underfloor bucket that can be used to store anything from dirty footwear to charging cables.
Inside, the 4 mirrors the 5 with a 10.1in digital driver’s display, a 10in Google-powered infotainment touchscreen and a choice of cloth or leatherette materials, but with more head room and space than in the smaller car.
That extra space is thanks to an 80mm-longer wheelbase than that of the 5, with which it shares the Ampr Small EV platform.
