This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Renault 4L, a car that has become a real success story. Manufactured in 28 countries, more than 8 million units have been sold in over 100 countries over 30 years.

Renault has turned the car’s anniversary into a year-long celebration with different initiatives. For instance, the brand launched a global social media campaign, posting a variety of content each month and international media were given the opportunity to take a ride in different historic Renault 4L models, some of which have been retrofitted with a 100% electric engine. Furthermore, a collection of 30 different editions of the Renault 4 has been on display since October at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Here we look at the collaboration with French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the second last initiative of the programme. The result is SUITE N°4, an original concept car inspired by a nomad hotel suite.

Mathieu Lehanneur’s vision was fuelled by the parallel worlds of automobile and architecture. SUITE N°4 is a tribute to the Renault 4L, channelling the same pure, understated and simple spirit.

SUITE N°4 maintains the same exterior dimensions and lines as the iconic model but comes with a radical twist. The rear section and the hatch have been replaced with polycarbonate windows that provide transparency and lighting on a par with that of architectural glass.

The front of the car sports the same iconic lights, lines and silhouette as the original. The front grill in polished aluminium is both the designer’s signature and an ode to evasion. It creates waves and gives the car a permanent effect of fluidity, dynamism and movement. The architectural inspiration can also be found on the body of the car, which is coated with three layers of paint that give it the mineral aspect of cement.

Inside the car, the seats and the dashboard are upholstered with an energetic yellow velvet. In contrast, the space at the back is finished with a thick, ribbed chenille fabric and accessorised with two laps, for a robust look. Bolsters and pillows complete the boot, transformed in a moving room. The experience is finalised by a wooden bench which slides like a drawer and can be extracted to provide sheltered seating when the hatch is open. Like for 4L back in the day, all of the materials are of French origin and supplied by Paris based artisans.

Renault x Mathieu Lehanneur