2025 Renault 4 electric SUV previewed with off-road concept car

The Renault 4 nameplate is set to return for the first time in almost 30 years, with the French car-maker reviving the iconic badge on a new electric SUV.

Teased last week, the Renault 4Ever Trophy show car pays homage the company’s original Renault 4 – also known as the ‘R4’ or ‘4L’ – more than eight million of which were produced across various countries (including France and Australia) between 1961 and 1992, with production ending in Slovenia two years later.

While the Renault 4Ever Trophy has been designed as a tribute to the ‘4L Trophy’ – a desert rally in Morocco exclusive to modified Renault 4 classics – the concept previews what we can expect to see when the electric SUV enters production by 2025.

The Renault 4 electric SUV is shorter and wider than the current Renault Captur small SUV – measuring 4160mm long, 1950mm wide and 1900mm tall with a wheelbase of 2570mm.

As previously reported, the Renault 4 is set to be produced in France alongside the Megane E-Tech Electric small SUV and the electric Renault 5 hatchback – all of which will be based on the car-maker’s CMF-BEV small electric-car platform.

The production Renault 4 is expected to be powered by a single 100kW electric motor which drives the front wheels, although the car-maker is yet to confirm mechanical specifications.

Renault’s electric concept car features a single front panel which incorporates matrix LED headlights and an illuminated badge, while the lower bumper has been cut for increased ground clearance.

The Renault 4Ever Trophy rides on 19-inch wheels which are wrapped in off-road tyres, and equipped with an air compressor which can be controlled from inside the car.

A roof-mounted spare tyre, recovery equipment stored on the rear window and underbody protection highlight the off-road aspirations of Renault’s latest show car.

It is likely the production-ready Renault 4 will be far more conservative than the concept car, although unique features such as digital cameras, an L-shaped C-pillar and black wheel arch surrounds could carry across.

In May 2021, patent images were published online depicting what's believed to be the production Renault 4, with the basic design carrying across to the 4Ever Trophy concept.

In February, Renault announced the new Megane E-Tech Electric small SUV is due to arrive in Australia next year, joining an expanding electric model line-up which overseas includes the Kangoo, Trafic and Master vans.