A LEGENDARY motoring name is on its way back to our shores and it comes with an ultra-modern twist.

It's a recreation of the iconic Renault 4 and while it echoes the original's boxy looks, practicality and versatility, this new interpretation comes only with electric power.

The Renault 4 E-Tech electric, a modern reinvention of the iconic 1960's original, is expected to arrive here in time for the September new registration plate rush and dealers will start taking orders in July.

Prices will start from under £27,000 and three trim levels - evolution, techno, and iconic - will be available, each of which come with a 52kWh battery powering a 150hp electric motor - good for an 8.2 second 0-62mph sprint time with a driving range of up to 247 miles. An 80 per cent home charge can be achieved in 30 minutes, says the French company.

The chunky styling is just one of many nods to the original Renault 4's design which include a front grille made from a single 1.45m-long piece incorporating round headlamps and oval, three-part rear lights.

Other retro-inspired touches include the bonnet lines that continue to the bottom of the grille, the rear quarter windows and sculpted lines along the doors that bring to mind the plastic protectors of the original.

And there will even be the option of an electric canvas roof, mimicking the canvas roof of the original sixties model, on all but the entry-level version, from a later date.

The newcomer is larger than the Renault 5 and offers more interior space thanks to its 2.62m wheelbase. At 4.14m in length, rear seat occupants benefit from 16.4cm of knee room, while headroom of 85.3cm is particularly generous for a B-segment vehicle.

There's plenty of room in the boot too, ranging from 420 to 1,405 litres with the rear seat folded down and there are a number of clever touches including four lashing hooks, two bag hooks, rubber bands to hold objects in place, and clever storage compartments - including a 55-litre underfloor area. The range-topping iconic model comes with a powered tailgate.

Standard equipment levels are impressive with the entry-level evolution model boasting 18-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels, automatic high/low beam, automatic wipers, electric front and rear windows. heated windscreen washer nozzles. keyless entry. dual-zone climate control. 10-inch central touchscreen multimedia system. wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors and a rear view camera.

Up to 26 advanced driver assistance systems are available including rear occupant safe exit alert, active driver assist combining adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and lane centring assist, as well as blind spot monitoring and hands-free parking.

Prices start from £26,995 for the evolution model with a £2,000 premium for the better-equipped techno, rising to £30,995 for the flagship iconic version.

Order books open fully on July 15, but potential customers can jump the delivery queue and order from July 1 if they pay an extra £150 for what Renault calls a ‘VIP access' pass which also provides three years' free servicing for customers buying on finance deals.