Do you remember those Fiat 5oo’s designed for taking you to the beach or keeping on the back of your yacht. The 500 Jolly (1958-1966) had wicker seats making it practical for those wearing a wet bathing suit and were unaffected by sunlight. It lacked doors and even had a surrey roof.
You would be lucky to see one in the Uk because we don’t have the weather for such an open car. When new it cost twice the price of a new Fiat 500, even though you got less for your money. Today these diminutive cars can reach super car prices fetching over $100 000 dollars in the US (the main market for these cars.)
If this is a lifestyle car that appeals to you then it might be best to get in on the ground floor. Renault have just launched their 4 JP4x4 Concept: the “beach adventurer” and it is likley to costs less than an original Jolly.
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 with its playful, upbeat design. It also adds a touch of adventure with its four-wheel drive system.
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) and is every inch a chic and modern beach car in terms of both its physical features and the equipment designed for sport and leisure.
This Concept is the fourth concept-car based on Renault 4 E-Tech electric, demonstrating the full potential of the production model in terms of versatility, for both retail and business customers. Like the first two vehicles, it 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 and Lettuce Green available on the ‘4L’ in the 1970s and 1980s. The body colour is a sharp contrast with the orange of the interior. Two vibrant, pop colours for a bright, lively and cheerful design.
In terms of styling, JP4x4 Concept is an adventurer with an open-air feel. Alongside two minimalist doors that open in the conventional way, it features an openwork roof in the form of a cross for maximum stiffness as well as a tailgate (without a soft top) that drops down like the side panel of a pick-up 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.
Inside the bucket seats are reminiscent of the iconic “Egyptian mummy” seats with built-in headrests, as seen on several Renault models in the 1970s. They feature mixed-fabric upholstery with a crepe base and diagonal mesh sections, for an elegant, sporty look. The door panels, boot surround and dashboard also feature a textile finish, while the dashboard includes a grab handle on the passenger side should the terrain get bumpy. The floating centre console is an original feature, giving the fresh and airy interior a sophisticated but robust feel.
From a technical standpoint, The JP4x4 Concept is built on the same platform as Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept. Ground clearance is therefore 15 mm higher than on the standard version of Renault 4 E-Tech electric. It keeps the 18-inch wheel size but with special Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 225/55 tyres and specific “JP4” wheels, while the front and rear tracks are 10 mm wider on either side.
Above all, JP4x4 Concept features a second electric motor on the rear axle for permanent all-wheel drive. This makes it more agile while also enhancing its off-road capabilities on sandy, stony and unpaved terrain. In this way, it demonstrates the potential of the RGEV small platform to create a B-segment electric vehicle with four-wheel drive.
Perhaps this car is more reminiscent of a Beach buggy with its practical four wheel drive but either way it is likely to be a rare classic if it goes into production.
