The emotional encounter between the original Renault 4 and its electric reinterpretation

The Renault 4, affectionately known as the "four cans" in Spain, was of transcendental significance both in sales and production, marking a before and after in the country's motorization and in the history of FASA-Renault.

Although the Renault 4/4 (4CV) was the first Renault model manufactured in Valladolid, starting in 1953, the Renault 4 began production in this same plant. FASA, which later became FASA-Renault, played a crucial role in the production of this model.

It is estimated that nearly one million Renault 4 units were assembled at the Valladolid factory. This volume represented a significant portion of its worldwide production; in fact, the Spanish plant once accounted for approximately 10% of global R4 production.

This Spanish automotive icon is reborn as an electric vehicle, maintaining its versatile and innovative spirit. With a range of up to 400 km and innovative solutions, the Renault 4 E-Tech electric car is positioned as the "blue-jean" car of the 21st century.

The Spanish R&D&I Center, a technological benchmark within the Renault Group's global network, has participated in the development of driving aids for the Renault 4 E-Tech electric vehicle.

During a visit by the Renault 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Classic Car Club to the Renault Group R&D&I Center in Valladolid, there was a touching encounter between the original Renault 4 and its electric reinterpretation.

Members of the Renault 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Classic Car Clubs attended the event aboard their historic vehicles. The event celebrated the glorious past of one of the brand's most iconic models and its projection into the future with the launch of the electric Renault 4 E-Tech.

This event was not only a gathering of brand enthusiasts, but also a tribute to its history as it steadily advances toward more sustainable, connected, and intelligent mobility. The Renault 4, which powered entire generations in Spain and more than 100 countries for three decades, returns to the road with a new electric identity without losing its essence as a multipurpose vehicle.

Renault 4 arrived as a visionary response to the social and economic changes in 1960s Europe. When Pierre Dreyfus took over as president of Renault in 1955, he proposed a revolutionary idea: "A car shouldn't be limited to seats and a trunk. It needs to create volume." Thus was born the concept of a versatile vehicle, capable of adapting to urban and rural life, work and leisure. Under the leadership of Yves Georges, Renault 4 was conceived as a car for everyone, in every sense.

Presented to the press in August 1961, the Renault 4 quickly became a global phenomenon. It was produced in 28 countries and sold in over 100, reaching sales exceeding 8 million units. In Spain, its impact was particularly significant: since its launch in 1963, more than 800,000 units were manufactured at the Valladolid Assembly Plant, including 403,213 passenger cars and 396,704 vans. This represented 10% of the model's worldwide production.

In a country with a low motorization rate (one car for every 48 inhabitants in the 1960s), the Renault 4 offered an affordable, reliable, and functional solution. Its simple mechanics, innovations such as maintenance-free sealed ball joints and a closed cooling circuit, and its practical design made it an ideal vehicle for all types of users. Its "blue jeans" philosophy—like a pair of jeans, useful in any situation—is still valid today. In fact, more than 20,000 units of the original model still circulate on Spanish roads.

Thirty years after the end of production, the Renault 4 is reborn with a new mission: to democratize electric mobility. The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric is a contemporary reinterpretation of a classic, adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.

This model has been designed to meet multiple usage needs and complements the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric offering, which is already positioned as one of the best-selling electric vehicles in Spain. While the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is aimed at an urban audience, the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric expands its horizons: it is ideal for young families, weekend getaways, everyday city driving, or off-road adventures. Its robust design and high ground clearance make it suitable for all types of terrain, from highways to rural roads.

The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric has been developed on the AmpR Small platform, giving it a low center of gravity and a range of up to 400 kilometers. Among its most notable features, the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric offers record-breaking roominess and a 420-liter trunk with shapes that optimize available space. It can also be equipped with the Extended Grip system, which improves traction on uneven surfaces, and the one-pedal function for more efficient and comfortable driving.

The Renault 4 E-Tech electric model is not only a tribute to the past, but also a firm commitment to the future. It's the blue jean of the 21st century: versatile, accessible, sustainable, and ready for any challenge.

The development of the Renault 4 E-Tech electric car would not be possible without the work of the Renault Group's R&D&I Center in Spain, one of the group's technological jewels in Europe, with teams in both Valladolid and Madrid. This center, which has a team of more than 600 highly qualified engineers and technicians, is involved in strategic, high-tech projects in areas such as driver assistance systems (ADAS), artificial intelligence, hydrogen, connectivity, big data, and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, the center is responsible for the Hybridization Hub and has unique infrastructure such as a test track for dynamic testing under real-life conditions, the Creative Lab—a collaborative space for developing disruptive ideas—and Electronic Integration Platforms (PIES), which allow the validation of the performance of electronic systems in the vehicle.

This innovation ecosystem allows the center to cover the entire project lifecycle, from design and development to validation and production lifecycle. Its role within the Renault Group's global network is key to building the mobility of the future from Spain and transforming the company into a tech company.

In the specific case of the Renault 4 E-Tech electric vehicle, the R&D&I Center has played a leading role in validating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are essential for ensuring the vehicle's safety and comfort.

The visit of the Renault 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Classic Car Club to the R&D+i Center represented a bridge between generations, between Renault's industrial history in Spain and its commitment to innovation. The original Renault 4s, which still retain their charm and functionality, came face to face with their electric heir in an environment where technology and passion coexist daily.