► A Renault 4 with Twizy guts
► Unveiled at the tenth 4L event
► A retro rival to the Honda E?
Here’s an EV that should worry the Honda E – at least in the styling stakes. Devised by Renault and called the e-Plein Air, the new electric concept takes its styling cues from the Renault 4 Plein Air, and combines it with some modern tweaks, including an EV powertrain.
The e-Plein Air was unveiled over the weekend during the tenth annual 4L enthusiasts’ event – and we’re hoping the retro masterpiece goes to production.
What exactly is it?
The Renault e-Plein Air is a joint project between Renault Classic, Renault Design and Melun Rétro Passion – a third-party parts reseller for older vehicles. Details are thin on the ground, but we do know the e-Plein Air uses the two-seater Twizy’s 6.1kWh battery. With that in mind, it’s hard to say how comparable the EV’s performance is to the diminutive e-scooter.
Future electric cars
Either way, it looks great. The exterior of the e-Plein Air features the same retro look as the Honda E, and inside you’ll find nods to the original vehicle. New blue seats are fitted, along with a picnic basket – but also a contemporary dashboard with dials for displaying battery charge levels.
The Honda E – or the concept at least – has proven there’s an appetite for stylish, low-range premium EVs. Perhaps it’s time for Renault to join the city EV market with something more distinctively styled than its Zoe hatchback.