Renault has introduced its eighth SUV model, the new Renault 4, completing its SUV portfolio. The design chief has declared that the brand now has "more than enough" SUVs in its range.
The Renault 4 joins the Arkana, Austral, Captur, Espace, Rafale, Scenic, and Symbioz in the European market. Sharing its platform with the Renault 5, this new model is a higher-riding version and is set to compete against electric vehicles like the Fiat 600e and Mini Aceman.
Laurens van den Acker, Renault's design leader, acknowledged the size of the SUV line-up and explained to Autocar: "What you see today is, in some way, a result of Luca's [CEO Luca de Meo] desire to expand Renault's market presence and ensure competitiveness in key segments."
Responding to criticism about the increasing number of SUVs as smaller cars like hatchbacks and superminis become rarer, van den Acker argued that modern SUVs aren't as problematic as some suggest.
"When people complain about SUVs," he said. "they pretend they are these big American, body-on-frame trucks that are heavy and do 20 or 10mpg, but when you drive an SUV today – I drive an Austral and it does [50.4mpg] – they're light, they're not so heavy, they're spacious... I'm wondering if it's the same 'SUVs' we're talking about."
Van den Acker also noted declining sales of non-SUV models in Europe, saying, "Let those who criticize SUVs back their words with their spending decisions."
Although Renault considers its SUV line-up complete for now, the company has unveiled the striking Emblème concept, a high-riding hatchback, offering a glimpse of a new 'C-D-segment' model expected around 2030.
Part of this, van den Acker explained, is due to the natural design shift that comes with electric vehicles, as placing the battery under the car floor raises the vehicle's height.
"When you switch to EVs, it means that the profile – you can see it with the Emblème – is a bit longer and like a crossover," he said.
