Renault's Retro R4 Electric Vehicle May Soon Become Much More Intriguing | Carscoops
The rugged concept introduces the new Renault 4 crossover with increased ground clearance, dual motors, and all-wheel drive for the first time.
Renault has unveiled a concept that suggests a potential production model of a dual-motor R4.
The R4 Savane features an additional motor at the rear and a chassis lift of 15 mm.
Its tough redesign includes shock-absorbing bumpers and a wider track.
The retro 4 E-Tech crossover from Renault has just made its debut in Europe, and the company is already teasing a significant upgrade. The 4 Savane is an off-road-inspired concept that incorporates an extra motor on the EV’s rear axle, providing all-wheel drive for the first time.
Taking its name from one of the original R4 models, the Savane boasts a 15 mm (0.6 inches) body lift and custom 18-inch wheels fitted with Goodyear UltraGrip performance tires, which widen the track by 20 mm (0.79 inches) at both the front and rear.
In addition to its new Jade Green color and a printed fabric roof, the Savane replaces standard bumper overriders with new 3D-printed components that have shock-absorbing capabilities. The interior features an outdoor-themed design, including seats in Deep Brown with houndstooth patterns on the backrests and bolsters.
If you appreciate brown, you'll find more mud-colored accents on the dashboard; however, the Savane's main attraction is its potential for enhanced traction with the extra electric motor for off-road capabilities.
The production 4 E-Tech is built on the same AmpR Small platform as the acclaimed Renault 5 E-Tech and its Alpine A290 counterpart, all of which currently come with single-motor, front-wheel drive configurations. The $180k rear-wheel drive Renault 5 Turbo 3E utilizes a distinctly different platform.
The single-motor variants of the 4 offer options of 118 hp (120 PS / 88 kW) and 148 hp (150 PS / 110 kW) motors, meaning the addition of a second motor at the rear could potentially boost total power to nearly 300 hp (304 PS / 224 kW). This power level would be significantly higher than the original Renault 4 produced in 1961. Such capabilities could pave the way for a rugged Savane production model and allow Renault to enter the competitive hot crossover market with an AWD Alpine variant.
Renault has yet to confirm the Savane or a dual-motor 4 for mass production, stating only that it “demonstrates the potential of the AmpR Small platform to create a B-segment electric vehicle with four-wheel drive." Typically, the company does not produce concepts without a genuine intention for production. What remains unclear is whether the Renault 5, based on a shorter version of the AmpR Small platform, could also support a rear motor.
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