New Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud Gets A Giant Sliding Fabric Roof

The original Renault 4 was never a flashy car, but it had a charm that made people love it. Part of that charm came from the little details, like the simple canvas roof that let a bit more sunlight and fresh air into the cabin.

Renault has brought that idea back with the new 4 E-Tech Plein Sud. Instead of a fixed roof, this version gets a large electrically operated canvas top measuring 800 by 920 mm. It slides open in several stages and gives both front and rear passengers a genuine open-air feel. According to Renault, it’s currently the only fully electric B-segment SUV to offer this kind of setup.

Underneath, nothing changes. The Plein Sud uses the same 148-hp electric motor and 52-kWh battery as the standard Renault 4 E-Tech. WLTP range drops only slightly, from 249 miles to 242 miles, which is a surprisingly small compromise for a feature like this.

The folding roof is available on the Techno+ and Iconic+ trims and adds £1,500 to the price in the UK. After incentives, pricing starts at £27,445, while French buyers will pay from €31,110. Orders are already open for R Pass holders, with everyone else able to place orders starting May 14.

Renault has also updated the wider 4 E-Tech range with new safety systems, including driver fatigue monitoring and an emergency stop function that can safely slow the car if the driver becomes unresponsive. It’s a small touch, but the Plein Sud makes the new Renault 4 feel even closer in spirit to the cheerful original.