Because electric vehicles are bound by engine and transmission packaging, brands have the ability to be far more creative, which has led to a resurgence of retro styling in the space. French manufacturer Renault will be the next to embrace a retro-styled EV.
The move to introduce a small electric SUV with styling harking back to the Renault 4 of the sixties and seventies follows signs that Renault would embrace its past. The carmaker most recently showed a larger Renault 5 electric concept in 2021.
Rival manufacturers are also tapping into their history with EVs, with examples including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (evoking the brand’s Pony hatch of the seventies) and the Opel Manta EV.
The original Renault 4
According reporting in industry publication Automotive News, this concept will potentially be called the 4ever, and will take styling inspiration from the Renault 4. The vehicle is set to be a late-stage concept confirming many design cues for the production version, which is slated for a 2025 release date.
The Renault 4 was a rugged, five-door hatchback that was in production for over three decades, and therefore is an icon in the French brand’s heritage.
The concept’s unveiling will be the headline event at the Renault stand for the 2022 Paris Auto Show.
Following in the footsteps of the Renault 5 Electric concept, which was first unveiled in 2021, we can imagine that this ‘4ever’ will blend modern EV styling with body lines from the original vehicle.
Other Renault unveilings will include “a sporty and offbeat show car” that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Renault 5, and the all-electric compact Kangoo passenger van.
The snazzy 2021 Renault 5 EV concept
Renault’s sister brand Alpine will also reportedly be bringing some interesting metal to the show, which is part of a plan to diversify the line-up, which currently only consists of the A110 sports car.
Three electric models are set to be unveiled by Alpine at the show, one being an SUV, and another being a hot hatch that pays tribute to the Renault 5.
Now that the Zoe EV has been pulled from sale, Renault Australia doesn’t currently have any electric vehicles in its local line-up.
This is set to change next year when the Megane E-Tech joins the range.
