2026 Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept
By Lorenzo Bianchi May 12, 2026
Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept debuts at the 2026 Roland-Garros French Open.
Open-air electric concept adds a second rear motor for permanent four-wheel drive.
Retro-inspired design references the original Renault 4 Plein Air and JP4 models.
Renault Turns the New Renault 4 Into a Beach Buggy
The Renault 4 has already proven surprisingly flexible in its modern electric form. Since its rebirth, Renault has used the compact EV platform for rescue concepts, off-road experiments, and lifestyle-focused show cars. The new 2026 Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept might be the most playful version yet.
Revealed ahead of the 2026 Roland-Garros French Open, the concept reinterprets the original Renault 4 Plein Air and JP4 leisure vehicles from the 1960s and 1980s. Instead of treating the new Renault 4 E-Tech as a purely urban electric hatchback, Renault imagines it here as an open-air beach cruiser with genuine off-road capability.
And honestly, it looks like something designed for summer first and practicality second.
The Emerald Green bodywork immediately stands out, especially against the bright orange interior trim. Renault says the paint references historical Renault 4 shades from the 1970s and 1980s, though the updated finish now carries a more pearlescent look.
Open Roof and Minimalist Doors Change the Character
The body structure is where the JP4x4 Concept separates itself most clearly from the standard Renault 4 E-Tech.
Instead of a conventional roof, the concept uses an openwork cross-shaped roof structure with no soft top at all. The minimalist doors remain functional but stripped back visually, while the rear tailgate folds downward like a pickup side panel for easier loading.
There are also lifestyle details scattered throughout the concept. A surfboard is mounted to the roof, and skateboards sit in the rear cargo area. Renault clearly wants the vehicle associated with outdoor leisure culture rather than technical seriousness.
The proportions themselves stay compact and upright, though the widened stance and exposed openings make the concept look more rugged than the regular Renault 4 underneath.
Interior Mixes Retro References With Sporty Details
Inside, Renault continues blending nostalgic design cues with newer materials.
The bucket seats are inspired by Renault’s old “Egyptian mummy” seats from the 1970s and feature integrated headrests with mixed-fabric upholstery and diagonal mesh sections. Textile finishes extend across the dashboard, boot surround, and door panels, while the floating center console keeps the cabin looking airy despite the compact footprint.
A passenger-side grab handle has also been integrated into the dashboard for rougher terrain driving.
Small details matter here too. The “JP4” logos appear on the outer pillar, while “4x4” badging is placed on the front wings and rear section.
Dual Motors Add Genuine Off-Road Capability
Unlike some lifestyle-focused concepts that stop at cosmetic upgrades, the JP4x4 receives actual hardware changes underneath.
The concept rides 15 mm higher than the standard Renault 4 E-Tech electric and uses specially developed 18-inch wheels fitted with Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ tires. The tracks are also widened by 10 mm on each side.
More importantly, Renault adds a second electric motor to the rear axle, giving the concept permanent all-wheel drive capability. The setup is designed to improve traction on sand, loose gravel, and uneven terrain while also demonstrating the flexibility of Renault’s smaller EV platform.
Whether a production version ever appears remains unclear. [Speculation]
Still, the JP4x4 Concept does something many modern EV concepts struggle to achieve. It actually looks fun.