Watch out Suzuki Jimny! Renault's 2025 Hyundai Inster, Jeep Avenger and MG4 EV rival picks up tough looks, higher ride height and dual-motor all-wheel drive in new concept

Renault has revealed a new concept version of its 4 E-Tech small electric crossover that’s built for going off the beaten path ahead of its in-person debut at the 2025 Roland Garros French Open tennis tournament.

Dubbed the Renault 4 Savane 4x4 concept, it revives a name that was previously used by the French carmaker as a stickered-up version of the original 4.

This time around the new concept car picks up more than just stickers.

The 4 Savanne 4x4 concept adds a second electric motor on the rear axle allowing for permanently available all-wheel drive.

Renault claims this concept demonstrates the potential of its AmpR Small platform as it can sandwich all the components required for all-wheel drive in such a small electric vehicle (EV).

Renault hasn’t detailed any technical specifications for the 4 Savane 4x4 concept’s electric powertrain, though the regular front-wheel drive version of this car is powered by a single electric motor with either 90kW or 110kW of power.

This is mated to either a 40kWh or 52kWh battery pack, depending on the variant.

In addition to having all-wheel drive, this concept has a 15mm suspension lift, special 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 225/55 tyres, and a 10mm wider track front and rear.

The Renault 4 Savane concept is finished in an exterior paint colour called Jade Green with gloss black bumpers and wheel arches.

The roof features a printed fabric with a pixelated design, while the front and rear bumpers have 3D-printed parts with “shock-absorbing properties”.

Other exterior aesthetic features include a 4Savane logo on the side of the car, as well as a 4x4 logo on the tailgate.

Inside there are seats finished in a brown “refined textile” fabric with quilted and houndstooth pattern sections.

The dashboard is also finished in a brown textile and features a backlit 4Savane logo on the passenger side.

At this stage it’s unclear if Renault actually plans to make a production version of the 4 Savane concept, however the company has been hinting at an off-road version of this car for a long time now.

It previously showed off the 4ever Trophy concept in 2022.

The Renault 4 E-Tech debuted in 2024 as a retro-looking EV that’s inspired by the original 4 that was produced between 1961 and 1992.

Based on the 5 E-Tech, it’s larger in every dimension and features more obvious crossover exterior design cues despite still only being 4.1m long.

At this stage Renault hasn’t detailed any plans to bring the regular 4 E-Tech and 5 E-Tech models to Australia, however it does intend to bring some examples of the limited-production 5 Turbo 3E in 2027.