We Hosted An Exclusive Event With Renault To Discuss How Electric Vehicles Are Reshaping The Landscape

There’s a real buzz around the new Renault 4, a reimagining of the classic car born in the '60s and redesigned for our tech-driven, eco-conscious world. The Renault 4 E-Tech model is 100% electric and features some seriously high-tech equipment housed in the classic hatchback design, with retro touches that pay homage to its predecessor.

To celebrate the next chapter for the Renault 4, Marie Claire partnered with the brand to launch an exclusive event in the centre of London’s retail heartland, Oxford Street. Much more than just a car launch, ‘MAISON4 ’ invited guests to step into an immersive environment where they could test out the features of the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric, and enjoy a night of music and hospitality, as well as panel discussions spotlighting themes like sustainable mobility, future city living, and design heritage.

The event followed the brand’s ‘Le Défilé Renault – The Carwalk’ in Paris, a celebration of culture and cars through a programme of exhibitions and events, with vehicles showcased on the runway as fashion icons in their own right.

This special evening in London brought together tastemakers and influential motoring and media figures from across the capital to celebrate the rebirth of Renault 4 and join a discussion with journalist Katy Fairman, Marie Claire's Editor-In-Chief, Andrea Thompson, Managing Director of Renault UK Adam Wood and presenter Nicki Shields on how electric vehicles are reshaping the landscape — and why this is particularly important to women.

Studies show that women are troubled by the results of climate change (a 2024 UN study found that 86% of women cite climate change as a concern for the next decade). Yet, according to a 2023 report from Auto Trader, No Driver Left Behind: Women and the Journey to Electric, 62% of women say they don’t know enough about electric cars and their low in-life emissions to feel confident about buying one.

Two years on, and with the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, we hope the knowledge gap has narrowed — but conversation is still crucial.

The sense of urgency around creating more sustainable lifestyles makes the discussion about going electric even more relevant. Particularly since common EV challenges, such as concerns around range anxiety, can be addressed with new technology. For example, the Renault 4 E-Tech has an impressive range of up to 247 miles¹, allowing for longer journeys without the need to recharge.

As well as being a key player in the EV market, the Renault 4 models have some seriously impressive features. Take the Renault 4 Iconic, for example, which has a 10.1" central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heated steering wheel and front seats for toasty winter drives, and a blind-spot monitoring system (a godsend for avoiding accidental scrapes).

The Techno version boasts more nifty features like ​​adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charging, and front and side parking sensors. But while it’s clearly a high-tech car, a big part of the Renault 4 E-Tech’s appeal lies in how it leans into its heritage.

Renault is one of the world’s most iconic car brands, largely thanks to its memorable ad campaigns of the ‘80s and ‘90s (you had us at Va Va Voom). The original Renault 4 is the car that brought the brand into the modern era, cementing its reputation as a provider of both style and practicality — and it went on to become one of its most popular models of all time.

While the Renault 4 may have started life as a practical runaround in 1961, it evolved into a cultural icon embodying effortless French charm, synonymous with stylish simplicity. Dubbed ‘The People’s Car’ or the ‘Blue Jeans’ car, the design showcased French ingenuity. And the response was overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive 8.1 million units sold worldwide before production ended in the late 1980s.

The tag line ‘liberté 4 ever’ sums up what the Renault 4 is all about — independence, accessibility and, ultimately, freedom. It was a car suitable for any occasion, encouraging drivers to get out on the road and explore. It was also a car built for both women and men, with ad campaigns like ‘Elle prend le volant’ (‘She’s in the driving seat’) actively targeting female drivers.

Widely considered the world’s first mass-produced hatchback, the Renault 4 wasn’t designed to be particularly flashy or chic. Yet its boxy shape and simple design — especially in soft shades like sky blue or cornflower yellow — was easy to romanticise, and the car soon became a style icon in its own right. Despite the Renault 4’s run coming to an end, it remained relevant for decades and played an integral role in shaping the motoring landscape, blurring boundaries between style and practicality.

This generation’s Renault 4 leans into its heritage and classic style, with the technology to suit a modern audience. While it retains the original shape and character of the 1961 car, inside you’ll find cutting-edge tech features, such as LED lighting, integrated entertainment and intuitive driving tools. Not to mention an optional electric canvas roof with an impressive 80x92 cm view of the sky — a road-trip game-changer (available in the Techno version, coming early 2026).

For many of us, a car is a style statement, as integral to our personal image as our beloved handbag or signature coat. For others, our car knowledge journey is just beginning as the market continues to become more inclusive. It’s easy to see why a brand like Renault, who fuse innovation with style, character, and heritage, is standing out in today’s market — and the Renault 4 is once again making headlines as a smart choice for modern women.

Stay tuned for Marie Claire’s exclusive event content.

Find out more about the Renault 4 - The fully electric city car by Renault

¹WLTP test data shown for comparability purposes only. Actual real-world driving results may vary.