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By Jonathan Crouch

Jonathan Crouch thinks Renault's re-born 4 small hatch is at its most appealing in open-top Plein Sud form.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 49

Renault widens the appeal of its 4 E-Tech Electric compact family EV hatchback with this top Plein Sud canvas-roof variant. If you like the ordinary version, you'll find that all its attributes have been preserved here but an extra dimension of open air motoring added at the same time.

Backgroundword count: 103

If today's Renault 4 was really going to properly reflect is legendary predecessor, then it needed an open air version - and that's what we've got here in the rather appealing shape of the 4 E-Tech Electric Plein Sud. 'Plein Sud' loosely translates as 'Due South' and is a reference to the 'Plein Air' name given to the original canvas-topped Renault 4 of the '70s. In this case, as then, the addition of an opening roof seems to have very little effect on the appeal and practicality of this Renault, which isn't usually the case with canvas-topped cars. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 203

There are no real driving downsides to the Plein Sud top. It works at up to 56mph and a pop-up wind deflector at the front does away with most of the expected wind buffeting (though there'll be plenty of that if you open the windows). The roof's 19kg weight penalty has no effect on handling. Obviously the engineering's the same as the ordinary version. Which means a 52kWh battery with a 150hp motor, 245Nm of torque and, in this case, 241 miles of range. 62mph takes 8.5s en route to 93mph. All the engineering is shared with the 5 E-Tech and the electric Nissan Micra. Which means the Renault Group's AmpR Small architecture platform. And there's fully independent rear suspension, which is quite unusual in the small hatch class. The 4 E-Tech was the first Renault to be launched with a 'one pedal' driving mode, with steering wheel paddles available to alter (via three modes) the regenerative braking level. The 'one pedal' setting is so fierce it can actually bring the car to complete stop when you come off the throttle. A standard heat pump further boosts driving range in cold weather. And there are up to 28 different camera assisted driving aids.

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