Strapping a surfboard to the roof of an SUV, parking it up near the beach and taking a few images has been automotive PR material 101 for years, but Renault has done more than simply paid lip service to thew art of wave sliding with its latest and rather excellent JP4x4 Concept.
Unveiled ahead of the 2026 Roland-Garros tennis tournament, the JP4x4 is essentially Renault taking its adorable reborn Renault 4 and seeing if it can make it more versatile, more appealing and more able to soak up the daily abuses of an active outdoor lifestyle.
Inspired by the gloriously quirky Plein Air and JP4 versions of the original Renault 4 from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, this modern interpretation dials the carefree summer vibes up to maximum. There are openwork doors, no roof to speak of and a drop-down tailgate like a miniature pick-up truck. And yes, Renault has strapped a surfboard to the roof and lobbed skateboards in the boot, just in case you somehow missed the point.
“The bucket seats are inspired by the old “Egyptian mummy” chairs found in classic Renaults of the 1970s”
The pearlescent Emerald Green paintwork is paired with a ridiculously bright orange interior that feels like someone raided a 1970s sportswear catalogue in the best possible way. Renault says the colours are supposed to evoke optimism and freedom, but mostly they make us want an ice cream and a road trip down the coast.
Underneath all the beach-club coolness, there’s some proper engineering going on too. The JP4x4 borrows the same hardware as last year’s Savane 4×4 Concept, including a second electric motor mounted on the rear axle for permanent all-wheel drive. That means this isn’t just a fashion accessory for posing outside trendy cafés — Renault says it can actually tackle sand, gravel and rougher terrain without immediately getting stuck.
Ground clearance is raised by 15mm over the standard Renault 4 E-Tech, while chunkier Goodyear UltraGrip tyres and widened tracks help give it a tougher stance. It still rides on the compact RGEV electric platform, though, proving there’s plenty of room for fun within the world of small EVs.
Inside, Renault has leaned heavily into retro charm. The bucket seats are inspired by the old “Egyptian mummy” chairs found in classic Renaults of the 1970s, while the airy cabin gets fabric-covered panels and a floating centre console that feels deliberately architectural but also offers somewhere to stash the Sex Wax.
Renault has been on a roll of late, but we’d assume it might run out of puff after producing both the excellent Renault 4 and 5 E-Tech models.
Thankfully not, as the JP4x4 could hint that we are in for a number of special editions before those models are run-out.
