Last year the new Renault 5 EV was named Irish Car of the Year. Renault are probably hoping for another award this year with their new electric version of their famous Renault 4, which they are calling the E-Tech.
Readers who have celebrated their 50th birthday will probably remember the boxy-looking Renault 4L which came in a bright yellow colour and was used for several years by the engineering staff in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Most people would have happy memories of seeing a yellow Renault 4 coming up the road; it meant you were either getting a new phone line or maybe the existing phone line was about to be repaired.
The car was also used by An Post staff, but theirs were painted green and I’m told the car was also popular with farmers.
If you ever sat into one of those old Renault 4’s you will remember the unusual gear-lever which was located high on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. It was really different to any of the gear levers we had seen in previous cars.
Now the lever to select drive, reverse or neutral is so small, it’s like an indicator stalk and is located to the right of the steering wheel.
The Renault 4L or Quatrelle as it became known in France owing to its 4L badge, was one of the most successful cars the company has ever made. It sold more than eight million units to unpretentious buyers who wanted a simple, no-frills, highly practical means of transport.
Production of the iconic Renault 4L started in France in 1961 and for a while the car was assembled in Wexford when we had a car-assembly business here.
My test car came in a gorgeous Aqua Green and topped off with a black roof, it was real eye-catcher. There are also very attractive headlights. Not surprisingly I got a few questions from strangers in supermarket car parks asking to know more about of the car I was driving.
The seats have yellow stitching, which certainly brightens the décor. There are also colourful touches on the seats which makes the interior bright and cheerful. And there is also a splash of colour on the dash. In most new Renault cars you get a neat button to the right of the steering wheel where you can adjust the radio volume with your small finger; and the Renault 4 E-Tech is no exception.
The back seat could hold three adults at a squeeze, but it would probably be more comfortable with just two adults or maybe three children. For a small car the boot is a decent size. No Frunk provided but I watched a video on You Tube where you buy a Frunk on-line and fit it yourself.
There is also an underfloor storage area of 55 litres and if you leave down the back seats, the boot space will extend to 1,405 litres.
Car lovers have never forgiven Ford for bringing back the Capri name for one of their new electric cars. But I don’t think that will happen with the Renault 4.
Prices start at €27,995 and the range in the version I drove was 305km approx. If you want a car with the longer range of 409km you will have to go for the more expensive version with the larger battery. I liked it, but naturally would have preferred a longer range after a full charge.