Renault 4 returns as off-road concept

Renault has taken the covers off its fully electric 4Ever Trophy at the Paris Motor Show today, unveiling a rugged off-road concept of the future Renault 4.

You may remember the French brand took inspiration from one of its other past models last year in the form of its Renault 5 Prototype. Now, the 4Ever is the second model to do so as Renault prepares itself for a fully electric future.

At first glance, it’s clear how much inspiration has been taken from the original Renault 4.

A familiar silhouette is present when looking at the 4Ever side-on like its rounded front bonnet edge and angled rear end. Even the trapezoidal rear window looks as if it were transplanted from the 4L.

However, Renault has not only modernised the design but it’s also given the 4Ever a rugged new appearance that suggests it’s ready to hit the trails.

Large chunky tyres, plastic over fenders, a spare wheel on the roof rack, and rear window-mounted recovery gear are among the concept’s tributes to the original vehicle’s off-roading heritage.

It’s not all for show either. Tyre pressures can be dropped or raised from inside the car to suit the terrain below while the entire underside has been reinforced to protect the chassis mounted battery.

Although it may not include the off-roady bits when it goes into production in the next few years, the Renault 4 will see itself become an all-electric SUV.

The new model will be made using Renault’s new CMF-BEV platform which also underpins the new Renault 5 due out in 2024.

Need not imagine what the brand’s future lineup would look like either as Renault says to think of the R5 and R4 as Clio and Captur equivalents.

Both the Renault 4Ever Trophy and Renault 5 Prototype are on display at the Paris Motor Show this week.