Renault re-energises with Megane electric

RENAULT Australia has confirmed it will bring the Renault Megane E-Tech battery electric SUV to these shores by Christmas, in a single high-spec trim level, for around $75K.

While Renault Australia has not yet announced retail pricing or confirmed full local specifications, GoAuto understands it will feature the Technic trim level, which is the top grade available in the right-hand drive Megane E-Tech range.

As such, it will likely come with a 60kWh battery pack and 160kW/300Nm from a single electric motor driving the front wheels. 

At a local media preview for the Megane E-Tech, last week Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey was only willing to say that price would be “in the mid to low seventies” but confirmed that warranty coverage would last five years with unlimited kilometres for the vehicle and eight years or 160,000km for the battery pack.

No incentives will be offered, such as free charging infrastructure subscriptions, but Renault australia has partnered with EVSE and Jet Charge for installation of home charging facilities.

Modelled closely on the Megane eVision concept unveiled in 2020, the Megane E-Tech Electric sits on the CMF-EV platform shared with Renault’s alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi, and is adapted from underpinnings used by those brands’ Qashqai, X-Trail and Outlander SUVs.

One of Renault’s aims with the new Megane, according to Renault Australia product manager Charly Clercin, was handling agility.

While not claiming to be a Renault Sport or Alpine, Renault’s efforts to keep dynamics sharp for the new Megane include a multi-link rear suspension and a quicker steering ratio than most battery electric vehicles

With a 4210mm length 1500m height and long 2700mm wheelbase, the Megane E-Tech Electric is a five-seat, five-door hatch with 440 litres of boot capacity.

Although kerb weight has not been announced, Renault claims the Megane’s drag coefficient of 0.29 makes it the most aerodynamic in the current line-up, and better than competitors such as the Volvo XC40 and C40.

Meanwhile, the Megane E-Tech Electric will sprint from rest to 100km/h in a claimed 7.4 seconds and has a WLTP range of up to 450km.

Consumption is noted as 16.1kWh/100km and recharging time is 30 minutes at up to 130kW on DC charge to obtain 350km WLTP range, or full charge (and 450km range) from fully depleted on AC power in 10 hours at a maximum 7kW.

Battery packs make up a significant portion of an electric vehicle's weight, so Renault worked on lightening the new Megane.

Renault claims that the 145kg powertrain is about one-third lighter than the typical internal combustion engine powertrain (and its motor does not use permanent magnets), so it needs no rare materials while the tailgate is 20 per cent lighter than before. 

Using a layer of soft foam between the floor and battery pack in what Renault calls a cocoon effect, road noise has been reduced, according to Mr Clercin.

The battery pack weighs 395kg and at 110mm tall is relatively slim, providing a flat floor inside the vehicle.

“You really feel as though you are in a segment up, in terms of roominess”, said Mr Clercin.

Meanwhile, much of the interior is made from recyclable and recycled materials, such as the tweed-look cloth and vegan leather (made from 100 per cent recycled plastic). 

Technology is covered off with a 12.0-inch driver instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch central touch screen, angled towards the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, although a USB socket is fitted for wired use if required.

Unique profile settings for features such as lighting and driving modes are standard, as is voice recognition. There are 48 different colours for the mood lighting, which can be set to change every 30 minutes during a journey.

The Megane E-Tech Electric was accorded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, with Renault Australia hoping for a similar outcome when assessed in Australia by local safety body, ANCAP. 

A number of passive and active safety systems will be standard, according to Mr Cercin.

“We’ll have more than 20 different driver assistant features including quite a few that are completely new for Renault Australia,” he said.

“For example we’ll have a safe occupant exit, junction assist and emergency intervention for blindspot warning.”

The Megane’s local competitor set includes the likes of the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Polestar 2 and Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y that all have variants in the $70,000 price category.

Mr Clercin added that the Renault Megane was a vehicle that had “a lot of history”, with the introduction of the nameplate to Australia in 2001.

He described the Megane as ”the most versatile in the Renault line-up:.

“It has been offered as a hatchback, a sedan, coupe-cabriolet and even as an MPV – it’s the chameleon of the Renault range,” he said.

“It seems like a very logical idea to bring in the all-new generation Megane as an E-Tech, 100 per cent electric and as crossover SUV, it’s in line with current trends in the industry.”