Renault has produced a new concept version of the Renault 4, giving another hint that an all-wheel-drive version of the small electric SUV could be on the way.

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The JP4x4 concept will debut on 18 May on the Renault stand at the 2026 Roland-Garros French Open; a year after the Savane 4×4 Concept was uncovered and marking the fourth concept car based on the R4 E-Tech electric.

A fresh take on the Plein Air (1969) and JP4 (1981) versions of the original Renault 4, it reboots the “leisure’ styling of these vehicles and “adds a touch of adventure” with its four-wheel-drive system.

The JP4x4 is described by the French brand as “a chic, modern beach car, an adventure-seeking leisure vehicle with a free, summery vibe”.

Although the name is a direct tribute to the original JP4, it could also stand for “journée à la plage” (a day at the beach) with Renault 4, the brand says.

It’s built on the same platform as last year’s Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept, which comes with 15mm higher ground clearance than the standard R4. The 18-inch wheel size is also carried over but with special Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 225/55 tyres and specific ‘JP4’ wheels, while the front and rear tracks are 10mm wider on either side.

The Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept also features a second electric motor on the rear axle, which demonstrates the potential of the architecture to create a small electric vehicle with four-wheel drive.

Renault has said it can’t confirm anything yet about the arrival of a production 4×4, but is currently studying customer and market feedback.

As with two of the previous R4 concepts, the JP4x4 features green bodywork. In this case, a slightly pearlescent Emerald Green with a bright, optimistic vibe. This shade is a modern retake on the original Emerald Green (code 927) and Lettuce Green (code 913) available on the ‘4L’ in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s a bold contrast with the orange of the interior.

The exterior gets two “minimalist” doors, an openwork roof in the form of a cross for maximum stiffness as well as a tailgate (but no soft top) that drops down like the side panel of a pickup truck for easy loading. In a nod to the ‘leisure’ styling of the original Plein Air and JP4 models, a surfboard is strapped to the roof with skateboards stowed in the boot. The exterior also gets 3D-printed pattern on the sides, “bringing to mind the world of sportswear and trainers”.

Inside the vehicle, the bucket seats echo Renault’s ‘Egyptian mummy’ seats with built-in headrests, used on various models in the 1970s. There’s a mix of fabrics all in the same vibrant orange, plus a floating centre console and JP4 and ‘4×4’ decals.

At the Roland-Garros French Open, the Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept will be joined by the Renault 4 Roland-Garros E-Tech electric show car, which debuts in the Plein Sud version with an electric-powered canvas roof. Also at the event will be the Twingo E-Tech electric and Renault 5 Roland-Garros E-Tech electric.