As a part of the Renaultion strategy, Renault introduces the Renault 4EVER Trophy Concept. It is the French automaker's idea of a full little all-electric SUV for the future. Renault fell a little out of the public and gearhead eye over recent years. But the brand's history comes full of major motoring icons. Including cars like the cool Megane RS and Clio RS on the performance side of things. But also motoring icons for the masses. The Renault 4 took the title as the first mass-produced hatchback for the masses.

With a production run lasting more than 30 years, the Renault 4 took its place among French motoring icons like the Citroën 2CV and Deus as cars with incredibly long production runs. After all, if the car sells why change it? The Renault 4 sat at the bottom of the Renault range, the smallest and most affordable car. With an SUV version of this legendary car, Renault returns to their routes as the industry enters this exciting new era with its continued Renaultion strategy.

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A Closer Look At The Renault 4EVER Trophy

According to Renault, this celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the 4L Trophy, a charity rally through Morroco which entrants can only enter with the beloved Renault 4. Aside from an excellent pun, lots are going on with the 4EVER Trophy. Trophy in Renault's vernacular indicates that a car sits at the top of its respective model. Only the hardest and most extreme Renault need to apply. Normally this applies to the stripped-out and stiffened Clio and Megane models. However, in this car, it means an upgraded SUV. With the Renault Kadjar and Captur, Renault moved more so into this crossover SUV segment. The Renault 4EVER shows what a true off-road version of these cars could become.

Renault writes regarding the 4, "It is unpretentious yet in, chic yet a car for everyone, and appeals to men and women alike". This comes as the second car from Renault's catalog to receive a futuristic reboot. The Renault 5 Prototype gave life again to an iconic nameplate. Renault writes that the brand taps "into its illustrious past to better electrify its future". The Renault 4EVER Trophy like the 5 Prototype before it, is an electric concept car.

This EV concept revives the design motif of the iconic car. Renault makes a point of the car's shared silhouette that exaggerates the bonnet, bumper, and angled trunk. Just above the wheels, the car rounds off. The sides of the car feature almost nothing. Blending the car's heritage with the minimalistic design style that EVs share, Renault creates a stunning concept.

How Renault Modernizes The Iconic Renault 4

Aside from the development of electric technology, the Renault 4EVER Concept shows how far technology has come since the Renault 4 left production in 1992. The car ditches the traditional round headlamps, instead using Renault's powerful Matrix LED lights. The iconic pill-shaped rear light cluster sees an overhaul. These now straddle the line between the classic look of the Renault 4 and the contemporary successor, the 3rd generation Twingo.

Arguably turning the hatchback Renault 4 into an SUV that takes inspiration from the modified rally cars it spawned, is the highest form of modernization. But the 4EVER Concept goes a little further. Using what Renault calls a dune-buggy look. With a huge air intake to improve the efficacy of the radiation and chunky wide tires that give a mighty stance the 4EVER Concept looks like the perfect compact city car for those off-road adventures. Renault finishes the rugged look with a range of body-mounted accessories.

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What Does The 4EVER Concept Means For The Renault Brand?

Renault writes, "The future electric 4L aims to be as versatile as its predecessor once was – or rather has always been since 1962". The French marque continues to prophesize "A Future B Segment SUV". This concept paves the way and tests the waters for a compact city car SUV from the brand. Effectively a Renault Twingo with an increased ride height. Such a car would make use of Renault's CMF-BEV platform for B-segment vehicles.

The CMF-BEV platform balances performance, range, and reliability. According to the Renault Group, this platform built in partnership with Nissan and Mitsubishi allows for modular car design. In other words with one platform for their EVs, the company can keep their prices low. As a result, this spiritual successor would carry on from the original Renault 4's mission of affordability.

Furthermore, the rise of yet another SUV from Renault shows how the brand continues to chase trends instead of making them. Between the Arkana, Megane E-Tech, Kadjar, and Captur, half the Renault range are various SUVs. Not uncommon for a modern car manufacturer. Renault even continues in the race for the smallest SUV. With the 4EVER Concept sat at the bottom of the range customers would expect to receive a Renault Zoe or Twingo-sized vehicle. Even smaller than the recent small SUVs including the Volkswagen Taigo and revived Ford Puma.

Source: Renault