Yet anther cool Renault EV we aren’t going to get in Australia! At least this one’s only a concept
Renault has revealed its zero-emission take on a beach buggy after pulling the drapes off its Renault 4 JP4X concept.
Following on from the 4 Savane show car, the new roofless Renault JP4X drops the rear doors and looks like it sits on a shorter wheelbase, while the lack of rear seats and integrated sport bar and rollover hoops convert the R4 wagon into a small ute, complete with a drop-down tailgate.
Blade-like half-doors, meanwhile, replace conventional doors, while there are absolutely no concessions to weatherproofing with no side windows or canvas roof available.
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Adding a second e-motor provides all-wheel drive, while boosting its off-road capability further, the new JP4X rides 15mm higher with a 10mm wider front and rear track.
Inspired by the original Mini Moke, Citroën Méhari and the more well-known Meyers Manx dune buggy, the latest concept is hotly tipped to spin off a more rugged all-wheel-drive dual-motor version of the standard Renault 4 wagon.
Sadly, it’s thought there are no plans for an open-air, or beach buggy version of the Renault 4 EV, although buyers in Europe are offered an electric retractable canvas top as an option.
Back in Australia, the fate of both the Renault 4 and Renault 5 (bar the R5 Turbo 3E) remains uncertain, at best.
Despite a warm reception and strong sales in Europe, both the small all-electric hatch and SUV do not meet Australian mandate rules (ADRs) for every rear seating position to be fitted with a top-tether anchor point.
Both lack top-tethers for the middle rear seat and need costly engineering to meet the ADRs — something the local outfit seems unwilling to invest in considering both cars’ projected low pricing, if sold here.
