Renault is making a big deal of its 4 Plein Sud, a convertible version of its best-selling B-segment electric SUV.
The Plein Sud has more of a fabric roll-back sunroof than a true retractable roof, which isn’t necessarily a criticism, except of the marketing.
Unlike the Mini Convertible or the Fiat 500e Cabrio, the Plein Sud still has a hatchback for the boot and the same cargo space as in the normal 4.
It has 420 litres of cargo space.
Head room remains good unless you’re really tall, and room for knees is unchanged, so there’s plenty if you’re of an average build.
From the back, with Isofix mountings for two child seats, you get the most effect from the open roof: a great view of the sky, wind in your hair and buffeting that doesn’t really begin until A-road speeds.
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Up front, you do miss out on some of the fun, because unless you look behind you, it really does just feel like an open sunroof.
Even at motorway speeds, all remains reasonably calm, especially with the roof in its half-open position.
The 4 experience is very much unchanged, with great material quality, comfortable seats, and an easy-to-use touchscreen.
Apart from a retro-cool folded-up fabric pile on the roof, the 4’s exterior is unchanged, and 18 months later it still makes an impression that rivals can’t match.
The steering is still sweet, the ride comfortable, and the performance adequate.
Renault says this is the only five-seat electric convertible on the market, which, if you’re generous enough to call it a convertible, is true.
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There are only three other electric rag-tops: the four-seat 500e Cabrio, with 190 miles of range and a fairly cramped interior; the Maserati Grancabrio Folgore, with four seats and 279 miles of range; and the MG Cyberster, with two seats and 316 miles of range.
Renault estimates that efficiency is roughly a further 5% worse with the roof down.
Customers are more likely to look at the Plein Sud as a nice-to-have £1500 option than an electric alternative to the Mini Convertible or Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, but that’s just fine.
Without altering the fundamentals of what makes the 4 great, Renault has instilled a sense of fun and a little wind in the hair for next to no compromise, all for the price of a small sunroof on rivals, similar to the Dream Car experience.
It would be a no-brainer to choose the Plein Sud if buying a 4.
The next step is to consider when they will introduce similar models, like the 5 and Twingo, with this feature.