Evaluating the Renault 4 electric vehicle as a beach-friendly family car: A £27k test drive and assessment of its surfboard-swallowing claim.
Hello there, mate! I've just had a bloody brilliant time test driving the Renault 4 E-Tech electric family car on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, gudman. This car is a damn fine reincarnation of the classic, economical flat-floored Renault 4, which revolutionized the car market in '61, selling more than 8 million units in 100 countries up to '94.
Priced at a reasonable £27,000, this bad boy shares the same bespoke electric platform as its cheekier, funkier 5 E-Tech sibling but is the more sensible and versatile option. The 4.14-meter-long R4 boasts flexible seating that folds to extend load space big enough to carry a flamin' surfboard - but we'll see about that, eh?
I put it through its paces on a wide variety of roads and conditions, from motorways to twisty mountain routes via sweeping ocean-side highways, and found it a doddle to drive with enough juice to keep me fully engaged. Powered by a 52kW battery with 150hp electric motor, there's plenty of acceleration when needed, like when overtaking, with an official 0-62mph figure of 8.2 seconds and a top speed governed at 93mph.
It's got a tight turning circle of just 10.8 meters, which is bloody handy for maneuvering in car parks or doing U-turns. There are four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Personal, and Sport, with Comfort being fine for cruising, and my preference being Sport mode for that extra bit of oomph.
So, luv, how does it stack up against the competition? Well, the new R4 E-Tech starts at a competitive £27,000 and goes up to £32,000, putting it in the middle of a fiercely competitive electric car market. It's a tough crowd, but the R4 holds its ground against rivals like Tesla's Model Y, Mini's Aceman, Fiat's 600e, Citroen's e-C3, Kia's EV6, and others like the Vauxhall Mokka and Ford Puma.
Now, let's talk about that surfboard claim. There ain't no way I was gonna let a bit of marketing hyperbole slide, so I dropped by the Surfcenter in Ericeira to put the R4 E-Tech to the test. To my delight and the surf shop ' crew's relief, I managed to get a board in there without breaking a sweat, so Renault can tick that box. However, if you order a Renault 4 in the UK, you won't be able to have that little pleasure, mate, sorry about that.
In terms of other features, the R4 E-Tech comes with advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, paddle shifters, and a generous 88% safety rating. It even has a nanny to monitor your driving performance and dish out a report at the end!
All in all, the Renault 4 E-Tech is a contemporary reincarnation of the iconic Renault 4 with a practical, family-friendly twist. It's an easy and delightful drive with a decent range and competitive charging times, making it worthy of consideration for those looking for a capable electric family car. Now, who's up for a surf, eh?
- The Renault 4 E-Tech electric family car, tested along the Portuguese coast, is a modern remake of the classic 1961 Renault 4, selling over 8 million units globally.
- Offering flexibility, the R4's seating can be folded to extend the load space, potentially accommodating a surfboard for transport.
- Motorways, mountain routes, and ocean-side highways were no match for the car's maneuverability and power, powered by a 52kW battery with a 150hp electric motor.
- With a turn radius of just 10.8 meters, the R4 is an excellent choice for city driving and tight parking spaces, offering a tight maneuverability.
- Priced at £27,000, the R4 E-Tech is positioning itself in the middle of the competitive electric car market, going head-to-head with rivals like Tesla's Model Y and Mini's Aceman.
- Choosing the R4 for their daily commute can provide motorists a comfortable and practical driving experience, set within the broader context of their lifestyle, transportation, finance, automotive, home-and-garden, travel, and sports pursuits.
