kevin lene and alix petit: quatre renault 4 ever shortlisted entry

‘quatre’ renault redesign concept by kevin léné and alix petit

drawing from their childhood experiences with the renault 4, french designers kevin léné and alix petit have created ‘quatre’: this electric concept car maintains the original’s look and reliablity but adapts its functionality for the green economy of the future. the concept is one of fifty projects shortlisted from over 3200 designs from 92 countries in designboom’s recent RENAULT 4 EVER competition, which asked participants to redesign the renault 4 with an eye towards historical lineage, contemporary aesthetics, and sustainable design.

side

front

rear

though reminiscent of the original’s iconic shape, the angular body design of ‘quatre’ is slightly transformed with the curvature of

a modern car. the interior is made with natural textiles such as linen and recycled materials, and also features a minimal design,

allowing easier manufacturing and yielding an aesthetic of contemporary furniture upholstery.

a central removable screen manages internal functions such as geographical navigation, temperature controls, and music.

the tablet also features maintenance information, giving it the functionality of a troubleshooting guide when necessary.

interior

proposed materials

concept drawing of internal features: backlighted visualization panel, removable tablet, flexible covers

model building process and concept video

life cycle concept model, source: promise book of the UNEP, 1996 and O2 france

in addition to using recycled materials, ‘quatre’ includes updates in technology and efficiency under the hood: equipped with two batteries, the fully electric-powered car can either be charged at home, or by energy credits purchased at light renault energy terminals posted along the road. the electric battery is also inserted frontward into the car’s main element, giving the best accessibility with a generous metal handle. lines are simple and efficient, putting forward the functionality and philosophy of the original renault 4.

roof options include a luggage box or complementary solar energy panels, which act as an additional means of charging the batteries. ‘quatre’ can also receive an extension box to convert the car in a utility service vehicle, allowing versatile use for both households and businesses.

recharging functionalities

roof functionalities

professional and service extension box

side concept drawing

front concept drawing

rear concept drawing

renault is proud of the results of the RENAULT 4 EVER competition and extends sincere thanks to all of its participants. the jury has still not made its final decision on the winning entry, but the results will be published to designboom at the end of july.