It’ll be equipped with the Renault Twizy 80’s drivetrain and 6.1kWh battery, so while it won’t go very far or fast, the 62 miles of range and 60 mph top speed should be more than enough for cruising the dunes of Normandy.
Our iconic #Renault4 has been released in a full #Electric version! Happy to introduce you the Renault e-PLEIN AIR âš¡âš¡âš¡#RenaultClassic #EasyElectricLife pic.twitter.com/IVYTMQ1q2d
— Groupe Renault (@Groupe_Renault) July 22, 2019
The Renault 4 arrived in 1961 as a response to Citroën’s famous 2CV, aka the “Deux Chevaux” (“two horsepower”). It was Renault’s first car with front-wheel drive and a fully independent suspension, making it perfect for rural roads in France and around the world. Renault sold eight million copies by the time production ceased in 1992. The Plein Air, meanwhile, came along via a request by the military and in response to Citroën’s Méhari.
Renault said that the EV version drives much like the original 4L, even though it has a slightly shortened wheelbase. It’s building the e-Plein Air (pronounced “plahn air”) strictly as a concept for now, “but we will of course be attentive to the reactions of enthusiasts and potential customers in view of the car,” the company said.