autoevolution
 

Renault e-Plein Air Is A 4L With the Battery, Electric Motor Of the Twizy

As far as hatchbacks are concerned, the Renault 4 is a trailblazer in every respect. Also known as the 4L or Quatrelle, the French model was manufactured all across the world from 1961 through 1994.
Renault e-Plein Air concept 6 photos
Photo: Renault
Renault e-Plein Air conceptRenault e-Plein Air conceptRenault e-Plein Air conceptRenault e-Plein Air conceptRenault e-Plein Air concept
What came as a reply to the Citroen 2CV proved to be far better than the car’s biggest rival, more so because Citroen’s design dated back to the 1930s where Renault started with a clean sheet of paper. Replaced by the Twingo, the storied nameplate celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 4L International gathering with a one-off concept called e-Plein Air.

The roof might be hacked off, there are no rear seats, and the front ones are upholstered in blue, but this concept is more than meets the eye. Even though it’s based on the 4L, the vehicle in the photo gallery is all-electric thanks to know-how from the Twizy two-seat quadricycle.

Renault Design worked closely with Melun Rétro Passion to create the e-Plein Air, which would look at home on the sandy beaches of Normandy. The 6.1-kWh and small electric motor are good for 100 kilometers (62 miles) of range and up to 96 km/h (60 miles per) hour on full song.

Back in the late 1960s, Renault offered an internal combustion-engined Plein Air in limited numbers. From 1968 to 1969, no more than 563 units were built and most of them were purchased by hotels and resorts for the tourists to get a kick out of their vacation.

Further back, the 4L signaled the advent of front-wheel drive at Renault. A fully independent suspension made the Quatrelle comfortable too, and production totals approximately eight million examples.

The “plahn air” with an e-motor also happens to feature a shortened wheelbase compared to the original, and Renault “will of course be attentive to the reactions of enthusiasts and potential customers in view of the car.” If a more modern version were to be built, then the Citroen E-Mehari small utility vehicle would finally get a competitor with tons of French flair.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories