Renault adds a folding fabric roof to the 4 E-Tech electric crossover

Some automakers love to revive classic names from the past to make their new vehicles look interesting. Renault is doing exactly that with introducing a unique version of its compact SUV, called the Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud. This specific variant gets a large fabric roof that rolls back, giving drivers an open-air option that is surprisingly rare among modern EVs.

The canvas top measures 92 cm long and 80 cm wide, which creates an opening of nearly one square meter. Renault claims this is the largest opening in this vehicle class - and it’s easy to see why the claim stacks up since there is no other car in its class sporting a similar roof. Drivers can open or close the fabric roof in about 10 seconds.

The mechanism works through a physical button on the overhead console or via voice commands using an onboard artificial intelligence assistant named Reno. Drivers do not have to pull over to use it either, as the roof operates at speeds up to 90 kilometers per hour. An automatic deflector helps manage wind noise when driving with the top down at highway speeds.

Adding a folding roof to a vehicle usually comes with a heavy weight penalty. Engineers typically have to add thick metal braces to keep the vehicle safe and rigid after cutting away a solid roof structure. Renault avoided massive weight gains by using polymer components instead of metal for the roof structure. The opening mechanism also uses three folds instead of the four folds usually found on similar systems. Because of these choices, the Plein Sud weighs only 42 lb more than the standard hardtop version.

Aerodynamics do take a small hit with the aerodynamic drag area (CdA) increasing from 0.762 to 0.778. Because of this slight change and the extra weight, the vehicle loses a small amount of driving distance. The overall battery range drops by just 4.3 miles, which is a minor 1.8 percent decrease compared to the fixed-roof model. When buyers choose the Techno trim, the vehicle delivers a WLTP-certified driving range of 244 miles.

The exterior dimensions of the vehicle remain identical to the standard model. It measures 13.58 ft in length and has a wheelbase of 8.6 ft. The vehicle rides on 18-inch wheels and carries over the recognizable illuminated front grille. However, sharp-eyed buyers will notice a few styling changes. The Plein Sud version loses its roof rails because they do not fit with the folding canvas mechanism. The traditional antenna is also gone, as engineers integrated it directly into the rear window glass instead.

Buyers still get a few customization choices with this open-top model, though the roof structure creates some limitations. The Techno finish offers a choice of 11 body colors, and the higher Iconic finish offers seven color options. Buyers can choose between a body-colored hood or a black hood, along with different decorative pieces for the wings and bumpers. Customers can no longer order roof or hood decals with this specific version because the graphics do not work with the canvas top layout.

Changing the roof structure altered the interior dimensions slightly, creating an interesting trade-off for passengers. Up front, headroom actually increases to 35.7 inches, compared to 34.9 inches in the hardtop. But the back-seat passengers lose some space. Rear headroom drops to 32 inches from the original 33.6 inches. Renault engineers designed the rear structural reinforcements in a specific cap shape to minimize this loss, ensuring the vehicle can still carry five people in relative comfort.

Many open-top vehicles sacrifice cargo capacity, but this electric SUV maintains its practical design. The trunk holds 14.8 ft³ of cargo, which includes a 1.55 ft³ storage compartment hidden under the floor. This lower compartment has two separate openings for easier access. The trunk opening features a low loading sill that sits just 61 cm off the ground - roughly 10 cm lower than what competitors offer, making it easier to lift heavy items into the back.

The interior is as flexible as ever for moving large items. The cabin provides a total of 0.82 ft³ of small storage spaces, including map pockets on the back of each front seat. Passengers get 0.32 ft³ of storage space in the second row alone. If you need to haul long cargo, the rear bench folds down, and the front passenger seat folds completely flat, creating a total load length of 7.22 ft, which is long enough to carry adult skis or small furniture. Even with the fabric roof down, the Renault 4 E-Tech maintains a towing capacity of up to 1,653 lb for pulling a small trailer or a light caravan.

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