Manny Ita –
Renault has officially opened UK orders for the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric Plein Sud, a special version of its retro-inspired electric vehicle featuring an electrically operated canvas roof. The new variant starts at £27,445 on-the-road after the UK’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026.
The “Plein Sud” roof takes inspiration from the classic fabric roof design seen on the original Renault 4, combining nostalgic styling with modern electric mobility. Renault says the vehicle is currently the only electric car in its segment to offer a fully opening roof system.
Available exclusively on the techno+ and iconic+ trims, the canvas roof option adds a £1,500 premium over standard fixed-roof models. Customers enrolled in Renault’s R Pass programme can already place orders, while general UK bookings open from May 14.
The electrically powered roof creates an 80 x 92 cm opening and can be operated through a one-touch control switch or by voice command using Renault’s Reno digital assistant. The roof folds neatly into three sections and allows multiple opening positions for drivers who want varying levels of airflow and sunlight.
Despite the roof mechanism, Renault says practicality has not been compromised. The Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud still offers up to 1,350 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded, matching the standard version. The vehicle also retains its low 60.7 cm loading sill and wide-opening tailgate, while the iconic+ trim includes a powered tailgate as standard.
Under the hood, both trims share the same electric powertrain setup. The vehicle is powered by a 52 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery paired with a 110 kW electric motor producing 245 Nm of torque. Renault estimates a WLTP driving range of up to 242 miles on a full charge.
The launch also introduces upgraded driver assistance technologies designed to meet the latest GSR2.3 safety regulations. The updated Renault 4 E-Tech now includes as many as 28 advanced driver assistance systems, including a driver monitoring camera mounted on the A-pillar, emergency stop assist, and predictive eco-driving technology that uses navigation map data to improve efficiency.
Renault has additionally expanded customization choices for the Renault 4 E-Tech lineup with new body graphics, six exterior paint colours, and standard 18-inch alloy wheels across all variants.
