Renault 4 Plein Sud: is this the EV we didn’t know we needed

Fulfill the Renault 4 Plein Sud, the new soft-top version of Renault's retro-inspired electrical crossover. It keeps the practicality, the 420-litre boot and the 244-mile WLTP variety of the basic Renault 4, while including a big electrically-operated fabric roofing that opens in simply 10 seconds.
In this very first drive, Nicola describes what "Plein Sud" in fact indicates, takes a closer look at the clever roofing style, checks out the interior and innovation, and finds out whether this unusual EV convertible makes more sense than you might believe.
Secret statistics:
– 52kWh battery
– 150hp electric motor
– 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds
– As much as 244 miles WLTP variety
– 100kW DC fast charging
– 420-litre boot
– From ₤ 31,195 (₤ 27,445 with existing UK grant).
There aren't lots of electric convertibles on sale today, and there are even fewer that provide this much traveler and luggage area. Has Renault inadvertently developed a class of one?
If you're looking at buying an EV, brand-new or used, head to our website where you'll find independent evaluations, purchasing guides, battery warranty info and everything you need to avoid pricey mistakes.

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MORE ABOUT ELECTRIFYING.COM. Electrifying.com is the # 1 destination for electric cars and truck reviews, explainers and guides. Founded by Ginny Buckley, we bring you the current updates on EVs and extensive evaluations of the most popular new models. Whether you're changing to electrical or just curious, our plain-English guides and expert recommendations make it easy to browse the world of electrical vehicles. Stay informed, make positive choices, and sign up with the electric transformation with Electrifying.com! #ElectricCars #EVReviews #SwitchToElectric #GinnyBuckley #NicolaHume #NickiShields. Video chapters:. 00:00
Intro. 00:20 What's the distinction? 01:08 Design. 04:11 Interior. 06:14 Driving.

07:05 Variety and charging.
09:58 Price. 11:18 Decision.

Comments

37 responses to “Renault 4 Plein Sud: is this the EV we didn’t know we needed”

  1. @AdvantestInc Avatar
    @AdvantestInc

    Open-top variants also put more thermal load directly on the battery pack, which is the kind of detail nobody thinks about until summer hits and the range curve gets weird.

    1. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      Interesting point – we’ll have to wait and spend more time in the Plein Sud to see how real-world range is affected.

    2. @Abcdefghjjkk Avatar
      @Abcdefghjjkk

      Battery is cooled and temperature goes up to +40-50 c when charging. During summer it cool battery many situations.

      I dont think open top makes measurable differend, if you dont live in Dubai – but I think not even then the open top make influenve

    3. @harry7384 Avatar
      @harry7384

      The resistance to forward motion decreases in the summer (the air is less dense), which reduces fuel consumption, even with the air conditioning on! Everyone who owns an electric car achieves their best range in hot weather! That is, with the air conditioning on.

  2. @sazcameron7134 Avatar
    @sazcameron7134

    Love the roof!

  3. @4854-v9b Avatar
    @4854-v9b

    Carmin red is a free paint colour.

  4. @chris-townson Avatar
    @chris-townson

    Carmin Red is a no cost colour in the UK, according to the configurator, not £1100.

    1. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      Ah, sorry about that – we’ve sat Nic down to revise the UK price list.

  5. @nickc1957 Avatar
    @nickc1957

    I love what Renault are doing at the moment!! I really want a 4 or 5!

    1. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      They’re both so cool, aren’t they?!

    2. @SteffenKoch-uw6ex Avatar
      @SteffenKoch-uw6ex

      ​​@ElectrifyingcomYes, they are! And so is the Electrifying team. Please keep up the good work!

    3. @fomalhaut9 Avatar
      @fomalhaut9

      yes, I want one too

  6. @EdgarRenje Avatar
    @EdgarRenje

    There is nothing like a Nicola review.

    Interesting, that it weights 19 kg more, despite it has fabric there. Probably the electric motor moving it and some reinforcements cause this. If only Renault would make less steering wheel stalks. It just doesn’t look good and there are better ways to implement those controls. I hope Ford will change this, when they bring the Fiesta, which is based on the Renault 5, but since Nissan didn’t do it with the Micra, I have low hopes.

    1. @DavidGraham-gp7qh Avatar
      @DavidGraham-gp7qh

      Yes, she is very annoying

    2. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    3. @agent0066 Avatar
      @agent0066

      More stalks means less rummaging around in some onscreen menu which can only be a good thing.

    4. @EdgarRenje Avatar
      @EdgarRenje

      ​​@agent0066 no, every Japanese and Korean car put those controls ON the steering wheel without any problem. At least that old school media control could be removed

    5. @TheImperfectGuy Avatar
      @TheImperfectGuy

      really it would be more okay if the direction lever were on the left
      would at least be balanced

  7. @idparkinson Avatar
    @idparkinson

    Carmine Red is not £1,100 extra, it is actually the standard base colour on the open top car, it’s free.

    1. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      Apologies – we’ve sent Nic off to revise the Renault 4 Plein Sud options list.

  8. @SteffenKoch-uw6ex Avatar
    @SteffenKoch-uw6ex

    By the time I have to return “our” 500e Cab, I’ll definitely look for one of these! But for me, smaller steelies would suffice, really.

  9. @DavidRoss-o5h Avatar
    @DavidRoss-o5h

    Bought a hard top version 6 months ago and love it. Soft top en Ecosse?
    One tip: don’t put your mobile phone near card key/fob reader or car has a hissy fit and serious sulk.

  10. @chrisross1703 Avatar
    @chrisross1703

    I learned to drive in the original R4!

    1. @th42 Avatar
      @th42

      Same. Parents car.

  11. @rufysufy Avatar
    @rufysufy

    Went to see the r4 this weekend as I really liked it on the outside. When I got in I was really diaappointed. Looking out through the windscreen felt like being inside a letter box looking out through the slot. The gap between the rear view mirror and the top of the console is like a postage stamp.

    The showroom car had the standard metal lid and it was REALLY dark inside. Kinda soured me on it a bit.

    I had just come out of a skoda elroq and that felt really airy inside by comparison. Obviously the exterior is not as charming.

  12. @martynlaverick3405 Avatar
    @martynlaverick3405

    Love it👍

  13. @MiezoT Avatar
    @MiezoT

    They also improved the battery heating system with this edition (quicker charge in cold weather)

    1. @mug_spinner Avatar
      @mug_spinner

      super relevant 😂

    2. @angelarodrigues2829 Avatar
      @angelarodrigues2829

      Very nice

  14. @doctorhaphazard Avatar
    @doctorhaphazard

    It reminds me of the maxi my dad had when I was growing up. When we went camping I used to sleep on the parcel shelf.

  15. @nolansub Avatar
    @nolansub

    A friend of mine learned how to drive in an original R4. We called it the fun bus.

  16. @vetex007 Avatar
    @vetex007

    Well if that did not convince you is getting one. Brilliant presentation.

    1. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
      @Electrifyingcom

      Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the comment.

  17. @urbanstrencan Avatar
    @urbanstrencan

    Another hit for Renault, they just cant miss currently this soft-top version of 4 is now almost small SUV perfection, to be perfection Renault needs to give us that simply awesome AWD electric mountain goat the Renault Savane 4×4 😉

  18. @vhol93 Avatar
    @vhol93

    Nice

  19. @WagnerGimenes Avatar
    @WagnerGimenes

    What a charming car. The French doing French things is just so pleasing 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

  20. @markiliff Avatar
    @markiliff

    7:25 “…only got 150 hp”. Just for reference, a 1970s BMW 2500 (7-series precursor) with its legendary straight 6 pumped out, er, 148hp.

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