Renault is making quite a big deal of its 4 Plein Sud - a convertible version of its best-selling B-segment electric SUV.
I'm in the dramatic Catalonian mountains for a couple of days to drive the new cabrio – a real pleasure and the perfect place to enjoy top-down motoring.
Except the big deal feels a little overblown, because the Plein Sud (which roughly translates to 'due south') has more of a fabric roll-back sunroof, like previous generations of Twingo offered, than a true retractable roof.
That’s not necessarily a criticism, of anything other than the marketing at least, because unlike in the Mini Convertible (with a completely folding roof) or the Fiat 500e Cabrio (which leaves the doors and pillars in place but folds the fabric all the way back to the rear deck) there is still a hatchback for the boot and the same 420 litres of cargo space as in the normal 4.
It's a similar uncompromising story in the three back seats. Head room remains good unless you’re really tall. It’s not infinite, because the 80x92cm opening stops roughly where your knees are. Speaking of knees, room for those is unchanged, so there’s plenty if you’re of an average build, although you won't be able to stick your feet under the front seats if they’re in a lowered position.
It's from the back (with Isofix mountings for two child seats) that you get the most effect from the open roof: a great view of the sky, wind in your hair and buffeting that doesn’t really begin until A-road speeds. I can imagine kids absolutely loving it back there; I know I did.
Up front, you do miss out on some of the fun, because unless you look behind you, it really does just feel like an open sunroof. That won’t be a problem for many, because even at motorway speeds all remains reasonably calm, especially with the roof in its half-open position.
