First look: Renault 4 Savane 4x4 AWD prototype tested
media.renaultgroup.com
We sample the near-production Renault 4 Savane 4x4: an AWD electric supermini with rear motor, Terrain mode and torque split, tuned for sand and Alpine grip.
Renault is edging closer to launching the all-wheel-drive version of the new Renault 4, with a working Savane 4x4 prototype already sampled on the Danish coast. The car comes across as nearly production-ready: ride height is up by 15 mm, the track is wider, and the tires measure 215 mm across. A compact rear electric motor, smaller than the front-axle unit, steps in to provide the needed backup on tricky surfaces.
Outside, the Savane wears a neat body kit and leans slightly more toward an outdoorsy vibe; inside, the brand’s signature brown textile sets the tone. The menu now includes a Terrain mode, and the display shows how torque is split between the axles. On firm sand, the prototype felt sure-footed, driving mostly through the front wheels, with the rear motor joining the effort exactly when required. It held on to grip, stayed composed, and sailed through deep ruts—calibration that feels carefully judged rather than showy.
Renault expects demand for such electric superminis primarily in northern and Alpine markets. Engineers add that the Ampr Small platform can accommodate all-wheel drive on the Renault 5 as well, but the luggage space would suffer, which is why the Renault 4 remains the leading candidate for a series-production 4x4. Given the packaging trade-offs, that path looks like the sensible one.
