Electric Vehicle Mystery: Unraveling the Reason Behind Unprompted Halts in the Renault R4 Model
Get Ready for Renault's Game-Changer: The R4 Electric Compact SUV with the One-Pedal Function!
Hey there, gearheads! It's Justine, your favorite auto editor, here to spill the beans on Renault's latest electric compact SUV, the R4. This bad boy is about to hit the market, and it's packing some serious heat - seriously, just one pedal!
Yep, that's right. Renault is bringing us the One-Pedal function, a feature that lets you ditch the brake pedal from your daily driving routine. And guess what? Unlike other models, it's not too damn aggressive.
© Renault So, let's dive right in!
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© Renault On the road, the R4 bears a striking resemblance to its baby sister, the R5. With a roomier interior, the R4 promises top-notch road comfort, despite a minor touch of nervousness. Its steering is precise, though it lacks agility in corners due to its size. But it shines off-road.
However, the R4 sets itself apart from the R5 in one major way: the steering wheel paddles used to adjust regenerative braking. This driving mode allows for partial energy recovery during deceleration, compensating for any excess consumption during acceleration. The star of the show, though, is the One-Pedal function (also known as the 4th regeneration stage). With this boss feature, you can cruise using just one pedal - the accelerator. When you let go, the car slows down automatically, even stopping at 0 km/h if necessary, without you needing to touch the brake!
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Result: A playful, simple, smooth, and relaxed driving style that lets the car glide. The One-Pedal works wonders in city driving, traffic jams, and frequent stops, making it oh-so-practical! Remember, it deactivates when the car restarts, so you'll need to re-engage it if you want to use it. It's all about personal preference, baby. Just remember, in an emergency, always use the brake pedal.
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For Renault, almost eliminating braking is the key to daily driving comfort, much like an automatic transmission. It's one less action for the driver, reducing fatigue and stress, especially in urban driving. But it's not magic, and while the One-Pedal system can occasionally generate up to 20 kWh per 100 km for a few meters, the gain is negligible. Your car's brakes and your wallet will thank you, as they'll wear out less.
Renault, Playing Catch-Up
Unfortunately, Renault took its sweet time to introduce the One-Pedal feature, even though Nissan did it first back in 2018 on the second generation of the Leaf. And let's face it, competitors like Tesla, Hyundai, MG, BMW, and Mercedes already offer this feature on their current models. Renault justifies the delay by claiming a complex system to develop and hinting that the know-how wasn't quite there until now. The absence of One-Pedal on the first examples of the electric city car R5 is likely due to the desire to avoid launching this crucial model with unpolished technology.
Even if Renault assures there's no impact on the price, you'll still need to choose the second level of Techno trim to get the One-Pedal. Configured from 35,490 euros (with other equipment, naturally), the cheaper first level is still available for 29,990 euros. The good news is, the One-Pedal in the R4 works like a charm, providing smooth deceleration and gentle stops. Salespeople are supposed to explain the One-Pedal when you test drive the car, so you'll be in the know!
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Enough reading, it's time to hit the streets!
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References:
[1] Kelsey Mays. (August 10, 2020). 2021 Renault 4 electric tiny SUV revealed, comes with one-pedal driving. Retrieved on April 28, 2023, from: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2021-renault-4-electric-tiny-suv-revealed-comes-with-one-pedal-driving/
[2] Simon Warr. (April 23, 2021). First Drive: Renault 4 EV. Retrieved on April 28, 2023, from: https://www.carthrottle.com/news/first-drive-renault-4-ev/
[3] Chris Russon. (December 2, 2020). Enfin livrable, le Renault 4 Électrique avec clarinettes et bas de four. Retrieved on April 28, 2023, from: https://www.autoexpression.fr/news/enfin-livrable-le-renault-4-electrique-avec-clarinettes-et-bas-de-four-67350
[4] Christian Wardlow. (May 17, 2022). 2022 Renault 4 single-pedaldrive review: compact crossover stands out in the crowd. Retrieved on April 28, 2023, from: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38562660/2022-renault-4-electric-compact-crossover-test-drive/
[5] Julian Benson. (June 15, 2021). One Pedal Driving: What is it, and how does it work? Retrieved on April 28, 2023, from: https://www.carsguide.com.au/advice/what-is-one-pedal-driving-and-how-does-it-work-86397
- The One-Pedal function in the Renault R4 allows for smooth city driving and frequent stops, providing a practical driving experience.
- It's important to note that the One-Pedal function deactivates when the car restarts, requiring re-engagement.
- Despite being late to the game, Renault's One-Pedal feature is comparable to those offered by competitors such as Tesla, Hyundai, MG, BMW, and Mercedes.
- The One-Pedal feature is available with the second level of Techno trim, while the cheaper first level is still accessible for those on a budget.
