Dual-Motor Renault 4×4 Concept: A Tiny Off-Roader With Big Ambitions

Renault is taking a bold step with the revival of the Renault 4, and this time it is not just about nostalgia—it is about innovation. After three decades out of the spotlight, the classic hatchback has returned as a fully electric crossover. What is turning heads now is the new Renault 4 Savane 4×4 concept, which takes things even further with rugged upgrades and a new drive layout.

Unlike the production model which only sends power to the front wheels, this concept adds a second motor at the rear, making it an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Finished in a unique Jade Green color and topped with a pixelated fabric roof, it clearly wants to be more than a city cruiser. Thanks to a lifted suspension, ground clearance is increased by 0.6 inches, giving it a bit more confidence on uneven terrain. Renault even equipped it with redesigned 18-inch wheels and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ tires, sized at 225/55, to handle a wider variety of road conditions.

Engineers also tweaked the platform, widening both front and rear tracks by 0.4 inches. While power numbers have not been released, it is expected to outperform the standard model’s 148-horsepower front motor and deliver a quicker sprint than the usual 0 to 62 miles per hour in 8.2 seconds.

Although Renault did not reveal battery details, there is a good chance this concept runs on the 52-kilowatt-hour pack, which can deliver up to 249 miles of range under the WLTP standard. It is built on the AmpR Small platform shared with models like the Renault 5, Nissan Micra, and Alpine A290, all of which are front-wheel drive—making this 4×4 setup a noteworthy step forward.

As of now, it is still just a concept, but Renault has shown willingness to produce bold electric vehicles before, like the 5 Turbo 3E. If the Savane does get approved, expect it to be priced above the standard model with the larger battery, which starts at €31,490 or about $35,300 in France.