Pure-electric version of classic Renault 4 revealed

Renault has pulled the drapes off a pure-electric version of its classic Renault 4 Plein Air to mark the 10th anniversary of the brand's 4L International Festival.

Held annually, the 4L fest was created a decade ago to help enthusiasts celebrate the iconic Renault 4.

Lifting its powertrain from the battery-powered Renault Twizy, the Renault 4 is driven by the same single electric motor that can only generate a modest 13kW of power and just 57Nm of torque.

Powered by an identical 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack as in the Twizy, Renault suggests the 4 Plein Air can hit the same 100km/h top speed and cover 100km between charges.

Side by side with the original, the electric R4 gets reworked styling that includes a blanked-off radiator grille, different indicators and modern badges and a new livery.

Inside, there are new seat covers, carpets, a rear-mounted picnic basket and a digital instrument cluster lifted from the Twizy.

Perhaps the biggest change over the classic is the R4 Plein Air is a shortened wheelbase.

Like the original, there's neither doors, nor a roof, because back in 1964 the Renault 4 Plein Air was developed for the French army as a rugged troop carrier.

In the end it was never used for its military purpose, with officials judging it too expensive and not as capable as the cheaper Citroen Mehari.

Despite its lack of weatherproofing, the 4 Plein Air still found a limited fanbase among private buyers with many finding homes in the warmer climate of the French Riviera.

Staying in production until 1970, Renault reportedly sold only 563 4 Plein Airs, making them among the rarest and most desirable R4s around in its native France.

Following its unveiling, Renault announced it had no plans to put the modern reboot of the 4 Plein Air into production – but didn't rule out a return if customer demand proved high enough.

Back in 2015 Citroen shocked many when it announced it would spin-off a roofless version of its Cactus. The resulting pure-electric E-Mehari paid tribute to the original Mehari that is still popular in parts of Mediterranean France.