There are cars that span the ages with disarming ease. Renault 4, affectionately nicknamed "the 4L," is one of them. A utility vehicle, family car, student car, adventurer, and vintage icon, it embodies a France on the move, popular, and full of ingenuity. A look back at the evolution and legend of a model that has left its mark on more than one generation.
R4, a French revolution
Launched in 1961, the Renault 4 was born from a simple observation by Pierre Dreyfus, then CEO of Renault: there needed to be a car "Blue jeans," practical, affordable, and adaptable to all lifestyles. A car that can be used to go to the market, cross fields, or take the kids to school.
It was designed to compete with the Citroën 2CV, then the queen of the French countryside. But unlike the latter, the Renault 4 boasted a rear hatch, front-wheel drive, a flexible suspension, and a modular interior—innovations that made it instantly versatile.
Under the hood, a modest 747 cm³ engine, but the essentials are elsewhere: its robustness, its relative comfort and above all, its low cost make it a revolutionary car.
Constant evolution
Produced for more than 30 years, until 1992, the Renault 4 saw many variations: the van version (R4 F4, F6), the R4 Plein Air (convertible version), and the Safari version, designed for foreign markets.
With over 8 million units sold in more than 100 countries, it became one of the most popular models in the world. It appealed to young drivers as well as craftsmen, country priests as well as university professors.
Over the years, it has evolved in small steps, adopting more powerful engines (up to 1 cc), improved gearboxes and a few rare aesthetic tweaks. But its appearance remains unchanged, almost timeless.
An icon of the collective imagination
The 4L quickly went beyond being a simple automobile. It became a symbol of freedom, practicality, and a certain lifestyle French style. It can be found in films, comics, and advertisements. It alone embodies the democratization of the automobile during the Trente Glorieuses.
She is also the heroine of a now cult event: the 4L Trophy, a humanitarian raid that brings together hundreds of students every year who cross the Moroccan desert at the wheel of their Renault 4. Proof, if any were needed, of her longevity and her attachment to the hearts of young people.
Renaissance and Heritage
Today, the 4L is enjoying a new lease of life. Highly prized by collectors and vintage vehicle enthusiasts, it is also dear to Renault, which is offering an electric revival of the model, following in the footsteps of the R5 E-Tech.
Proof that nostalgia can rhyme with innovation, and that the spirit of the Renault 4, practical, popular, accessible, is more alive than ever.
A simple but extremely effective mechanism
The Renault 4 stood out for its mechanical simplicity and reliability. At launch, it was powered by a modest 747cc gasoline engine developing just 23 horsepower. Enough to reach 100 km/h—a respectable speed for the time. Over the years, the engines evolved, culminating in the 1cc engine of the GTL version, developing 108 horsepower and allowing a top speed of 34 km/h. Its low fuel consumption, ranging from 120 to 5 liters per 7 km, made it an economical car suited to times of crisis.
Front-wheel drive and original gearbox: a style apart
True to its practicality, the R4 was one of the first popular French cars to adopt front-wheel drive, which gave it good stability, even on slippery roads. It was also distinguished by its rod-shaped gear lever, located on the dashboard, a now-iconic curiosity. The manual gearbox, initially with three gears, quickly increased to four, for a smoother ride.
Rustic comfort but formidable on all roads
Designed for the sometimes rutted roads of the French countryside, the Renault 4 features four-wheel independent suspension with torsion bars. The result: smooth handling, capable of absorbing potholes and dirt roads without jostling its occupants. Its generous ground clearance even allowed it to venture where other city cars would have given up, contributing to its popularity among rural dwellers and adventurers alike.
Revolutionary roominess for a small car
With its five doors, a rare asset at the time, and its modular interior, the R4 innovates in terms of habitability. Its folding rear seat allows the small city car to be transformed into a transport vehicle: the trunk volume thus increases from 385 liters to more than 1 liters, a feat for a car of this size. The seats are simple, the ergonomics rudimentary, but the interior space is generous and functional, accentuating the feeling of freedom.
Multiple versions, one spirit
The Renault 4 has been available in many versions over the years. The best known remains the 4L (the "L" stands for Luxury), but other variants will make a lasting impression: the F4 van, used by tradespeople, the more powerful and better-equipped GTL version, and the Plein Air, an open-top version for leisure activities. Specific models like the all-wheel-drive 4L Sinpar, designed for difficult terrain, demonstrate the platform's range of possibilities. It adapts to everything, without ever betraying its original spirit.
Easy maintenance, impressive longevity
One of the R4's greatest assets is its ease of maintenance. Its deliberately rudimentary design makes it repairable with few tools, ensuring impressive longevity. Parts are interchangeable, the engine is accessible, and many owners repair it themselves. It's this mechanical robustness that has allowed it to establish itself in rural or isolated areas, and which still delights fans of simple and durable mechanics today.
Authentic and accessible driving
The Renault 4 offers a driving experience without artifice. No power steering, no air conditioning, few electronics: everything is about feel. Its very tight turning circle makes it an agile vehicle, even in the city. Its panoramic visibility and compact size give it exemplary maneuverability. Once adopted, its simple but direct driving creates a kind of irrational attachment, as if the car possessed its own personality.
The Renault 4 is not just any car. It's a part of French heritage, a vehicle that has evolved without ever denying its essence. More than a car, it's a landmark, a rolling memory, a shared emotion on four wheels. And like all legends, it has never truly left the road.
Report & Photos Patrick Koune
