Renault 4 E-Tech Electric Plein Sud Brings Open-Air Driving to the Retro EV

Renault is adding a sunnier character to the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric with the launch of the Plein Sud version. The new variant introduces an electrically operated canvas roof, giving the compact EV an open-air feel without turning it into a full convertible.

The name is a clear nod to the classic Renault 4 Plein Air, but the modern interpretation is less radical. Instead of removing the doors, roof and tailgate, Renault has kept the standard body structure and added a large fabric roof panel that slides open electrically.

The opening is deliberately generous. The canvas section measures 92 cm long and 80 cm wide, allowing both front and rear passengers to benefit from the extra light and airflow. It can be opened in several intermediate positions using a cabin button, the key, or voice control through Renault’s Reno avatar.

Renault says the car was engineered for this version from the start, so the roof does not meaningfully compromise cabin space. Headroom remains almost unchanged, with 906 mm in the front and 813 mm in the rear. The antenna has been moved into the rear window, while the roof bars are removed to maximize the size of the opening.

The roof was developed with Webasto and Haartz, with attention paid to sound insulation and sealing. Renault also used plastic structural parts instead of metal and designed the fabric to fold into three sections rather than four, helping reduce weight. A deflector helps limit road noise when the roof is open.

The Plein Sud version is available to order in Europe from €37,290 in Techno trim and €39,290 in Iconic trim, depending on market and before incentives. At launch, buyers can choose two-tone or solid Starry Black paint, with more solid colors to follow.

Renault is also updating the wider Renault 4 E-Tech electric range. The model now gains an advanced driver-monitoring system using an interior camera to detect fatigue or distraction. The number of driver-assistance systems rises to 28, and the Safety Score now includes driver alertness after each trip.

Another new feature is emergency stop assist, which can slow the car to a stop if the driver becomes inactive while active driver assist is engaged. The eco-driving assistant has also become predictive, using map data to warn the driver about upcoming bends, roundabouts and other road features so they can lift off earlier and save energy.

There are technical improvements as well. A new water-to-water heat exchanger for the battery heating circuit helps improve charging times in cold weather. Under certain low-temperature conditions, a 15–80 percent charge can now take 50 minutes instead of one hour, or 1 hour 10 minutes instead of 1 hour 45 minutes in more extreme cold after a short drive. After a longer drive, charging times fall further to 40 minutes and 55 minutes respectively.