Marie’s hands trembled slightly as she turned the key in her grandmother’s old Renault 4. The engine coughed twice before settling into its familiar rumble. She was driving it for the last time, taking it to the scrapyard after 45 years of faithful service. As she pulled away from the house, a neighbor pointed excitedly at a sleek white car parked across the street. “Look, they’re bringing back the 4L!” he shouted. Marie squinted through her windshield and gasped. It looked just like her grandmother’s car, but something was different. Something was missing.
The silence. That’s what struck her most when the white car glided past without a sound. No engine noise, no exhaust fumes – just a whisper of wind and the gentle hum of electric motors. This was the new Renault 4 electric, and it represented everything her grandmother’s generation could never have imagined.
The beloved people’s car gets a modern makeover
The Renault 4 electric revival isn’t just another retro-styled vehicle trying to cash in on nostalgia. This is France reclaiming one of its most cherished automotive icons and dragging it into the electric age. The original Renault 4, launched in 1961, sold over 8 million units worldwide before production ended in 1992. Now, six decades later, Renault is betting that the magic formula still works.
“When we saw the first prototypes rolling out of the factory, grown men were crying,” says François Dumont, a Renault heritage specialist. “The 4L isn’t just a car in France – it’s a time machine.”
The new Renault 4 electric, officially called the Renault 4Ever, maintains the original’s boxy silhouette and cheerful demeanor. But underneath that familiar skin lies a completely modern electric powertrain, digital dashboard, and advanced safety systems that would have seemed like science fiction to the original’s designers.
Walk around any French town center today, and you’ll spot the difference immediately. The original Renault 4 puttered along narrow streets with its distinctive two-cylinder engine sound. The electric version glides through the same streets in near-silence, turning heads for entirely different reasons.
What you get for your euros
The specifications tell the story of how far we’ve traveled since 1961. Where the original 4L squeezed out maybe 50 horsepower from its tiny engine, the Renault 4 electric packs modern performance into that retro body.
| Feature | Original Renault 4 (1961) | Renault 4 Electric (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine/Motor | 845cc 2-cylinder | Electric motor, 90-120hp |
| Range | 300+ miles (with fuel) | 250+ miles (electric) |
| Top Speed | 68 mph | 87 mph |
| Charging | 5-minute fuel fill | 0-80% in 45 minutes |
| Price | 6,000 francs (€5,000 today) | Starting at €30,000 |
The electric powertrain delivers instant torque that the original could never match. Battery options range from a base 52 kWh pack for city dwellers to a long-range 75 kWh version for those weekend adventures to the countryside. Fast-charging capability means you can add 150 miles of range during a coffee break.
Key features include:
- Retro-modern interior with digital displays
- Smartphone integration and wireless charging
- Advanced driver assistance systems
- Customizable exterior colors and trim options
- Roof rails and practical storage solutions
“The engineering challenge was huge,” explains Claire Dubois, the project’s lead designer. “How do you honor 60 years of heritage while building a car for the next 60 years?”
The reality of electric nostalgia
But here’s where the story gets complicated. That €30,000 starting price puts the Renault 4 electric in a completely different market than its ancestor ever inhabited. The original 4L was the people’s car – cheap, cheerful, and accessible to young families across Europe. Today’s version costs six times more than the average French worker earned in a month back in 1961.
This pricing reality hits different generations in different ways. Older buyers see it as a luxury purchase wrapped in childhood memories. Younger buyers face a tough choice between electric efficiency and budget constraints.
“My father bought our first 4L for the equivalent of two months’ salary,” says Bernard Moreau, a 58-year-old mechanic from Toulouse. “Now my son would need to save for two years just for the deposit.”
The charging infrastructure question adds another layer of complexity. While France has expanded its charging network significantly, it still doesn’t match the convenience of the old village gas station. Range anxiety – something the original 4L owners never experienced with cheap, abundant fuel – becomes a real consideration for electric vehicle buyers.
Insurance costs, maintenance schedules, and resale values all follow different rules in the electric world. The simplicity that made the original Renault 4 so beloved – the ability to fix it with basic tools in your driveway – disappears when software updates and specialized technicians become part of ownership.
Yet dealerships report strong interest, particularly from buyers over 50 who remember the original fondly. Pre-orders began strong, with waiting lists extending several months into 2024.
“It’s not really about the car anymore,” observes automotive journalist Sophie Laurent. “It’s about buying back a piece of your youth, even if that youth now comes with a charging cable.”
The Renault 4 electric represents more than just another electric vehicle launch. It’s a test of whether automotive nostalgia can successfully bridge the gap between internal combustion memories and electric futures. Early sales figures suggest that, at least for some buyers, the answer is a resounding yes.
Whether this electric revival can capture the democratic spirit of the original remains the biggest question. The technology is impressive, the design is faithful, and the execution is polished. But at six times the relative price, it’s serving a very different France than the one that fell in love with the original 4L six decades ago.
FAQs
How much does the Renault 4 electric cost?
The base model starts at around €30,000, with higher trim levels and larger battery packs pushing the price higher.
What’s the driving range on a full charge?
Depending on battery size, expect between 200-250 miles of real-world range in mixed driving conditions.
Can you fast-charge the Renault 4 electric?
Yes, it supports DC fast charging up to 100kW, allowing 0-80% charging in approximately 45 minutes.
Is the interior similar to the original?
The design pays homage to the original with modern updates, including digital displays and contemporary materials while maintaining the simple, functional layout.
When will it be available for purchase?
The Renault 4 electric began deliveries in late 2024, with waiting lists extending several months depending on configuration.
How does it compare to other electric crossovers?
It offers similar electric range and features to competitors but stands out primarily through its distinctive retro styling and emotional appeal rather than pure specifications.
About the Author
