First launched in Europe in April 2022, the Renault Megane E-Tech was initially anticipated in Australia in early 2023. However, like most EV releases for Australia – it has been late to the present.
Now, following a number of delays and false-starts, it has lastly hit our shores and TheDriven just lately attended the formal press launch and drive day for the brand new, all-electric Megane E-Tech.
The brand new Megane is fascinating in a number of methods. Firstly, it’s constructed on the identical electric-only CMF-EV platform used for the marginally bigger Nissan Ariya. As such, it would make an fascinating comparability to the Nissan model when (if?) the Ariya lastly arrives.
Secondly, being an electric-only platform, the designers have taken benefit of the additional room out there by pushing the wheels additional out to the corners and swallowing some real-estate from the previous ICE engine bay to make the inside roomier than its ‘small SUV’ VFACTS classification would lead you to anticipate.
Thirdly and maybe extra importantly, it reveals the intentions of Renault Head Workplace to turn out to be an all-electric model in Europe by 2030. The Megane E-Tech is the primary ‘conventional’ Renault nameplate to go electrical solely with no future petrol, HEV or PHEV variations to be made.
It additionally spells the top of the Renault Sport Megane. Future efficiency variations of the Megane is not going to solely be electrical, they are going to be branded Renault Alpine relatively than Renault Sport.
What will we get?
The Megane E-Tech is obtainable right here in a single specification solely – the mid-level Techno model. (In contrast to the UK the place it is available in Eqilibre, Techno+ and Iconic variations).
It’s price noting that though Renault have registered the highest spec ‘Iconic’ alongside the Technic on the Australian Authorities’s automobile information base, Glen Sealey (Normal Supervisor at Renault Australia) commented it was unlikely we might see the highest model right here any time quickly, if ever.
The Australian model has even had just a few choices deleted: presumably in an effort to scale back its value down from preliminary pricing estimates of $78k-$80k to now be round $70,500 on-the-road (earlier than making use of subsidies).
These embody a smaller inbuilt AC charger (7 kW as an alternative of the usual 22 kW within the UK and most of Europe) and no inbuilt navigation (you must depend on your smartphone and Google maps for this perform).
Renault additionally appear to have pretty low expectations for its gross sales volumes, with Glen Sealey saying that he can be snug with promoting maybe 500 or so within the first yr.
Renault is nevertheless very eager to advertise the brand new Megane’s environmental credentials. The motor is a synchronous wound rotor AC motor (which means no rare-earth magnets required), and contained in the automobile, elements such because the dashboard, centre console, headrests, and carpets are made utilizing recycled supplies – together with 100% recycled materials within the seat upholstery.
Getting began
The seating and driving place are snug and it’s simple to set your self up with mechanical changes for fore and aft, seat rake and top, plus electrical lumbar regulate. As well as, the steering column has each rake and attain adjustment. The motive force’s show can also be effectively positioned, clear and simply readable.
Beside the motive force’s show is a 23 cm (9 inch) central multimedia display screen that responds simply to a light-weight contact with simple to make use of menus. Moreover, there’s a row of mechanical buttons for the temperature, fan and demist features, which means there isn’t a visible distraction from the job of driving once you need to regulate the system.
Actually, to me the infotainment system left me questioning why some producers insist on putting in huge areas of display screen to the detriment of extra simply accessed bodily buttons.
Within the rear there’s provision for 3 with loads of headroom and sufficient legroom, though the low entrance seat bases means there’s little room for becoming your toes beneath the rear of the entrance seats.
As well as, for an extended journey the center rear seat can be higher suited to a smaller baby than a full-sized grownup. There may be additionally a barely ‘closed-in’ really feel to the rear seats because of the darkish inside colors, raised rear window sills and small rear window.
Load area
In contrast to a variety of small SUVs and crossovers, the Megane’s boot ground just isn’t degree with the boot lip – as an alternative there’s a deep recess. Reasonably than being an obstacle – it really means there’s extra boot room out there than you would possibly assume for its 4.2m size/ Boot quantity is 440 litres with the seats up and 1,332 litres with the one third/two thirds rear seats folded.
A curious factor I did discover was the rear opening was not as massive as you’d anticipate of a hatchback. That is because of the beforehand talked about trend for swoopy rear aesthetics and the necessity to get the bottom doable coefficient of drag figures, which means the roofline on the hatch is comparatively low.
Driving
As I discussed earlier, there’s loads of adjustment in each the seat and steering column, which means there’s nearly an excessive amount of alternative in organising the perfect driving place!
One slight distraction is the rear view mirror utilizing a digicam as an alternative of being a mirror. That is because of the current development for ‘swoopy’ automotive designs. Consequently, trendy automotive rear home windows are getting smaller and smaller with an related restricted rear view out there.
(By the way in which – in some instances, just like the Polestar 4, the rear window has disappeared altogether).
While the digicam provides a wonderful rear view, it does imply you must adapt your focus shortly when trying from ahead on the street to shut on the rear-view display screen (in contrast to a mirror).
Sure, you do regulate and would most likely not discover it when you had been driving the Megane E-Tech for just a few days: however in my quick time with it, I did at occasions discover the change distracting.
On the street, Renault’s over 10 years’ expertise with constructing EVs reveals. Acceleration is sprightly, with a 160 kW motor and nil to 100 km/h time of seven.4 seconds. The drive choices of Consolation, Sport and Eco work effectively, plus there’s an choice to arrange a drive setting tailor-made to your preferences.
Included, too, are steering wheel paddles to regulate the regenerative braking organising and down (in what’s turning into the usual for these – left paddle for up and proper paddle for down). As a long-term EV driver, I discover this a helpful perform because it permits for adjustment with out transferring the palms (or eyes) away from the first activity of driving. The inclusion of a selectable ‘hill-hold’ was an appreciated addition and I discovered it to work seamlessly with no hesitation or jerking when pulling up or beginning off.
As talked about earlier, it was a welcome discover to have a row of bodily buttons underneath the infotainment display screen for the most important heating and air flow features, making it simple to regulate these with out taking your eyes off the street. Renault have additionally labored exhausting to maximise the WLTP vary by making the automobile lighter and extra environment friendly relatively than take the straightforward means out of including extra battery (and value).
The Megane E-Tech has a WLTP vary of 454km, but has solely 60 kWh of battery (offering a WLTP effectivity of 15.6 kWh/100 km) and weighs 1642 kg.
Regardless that I solely spent three hours driving round Sydney’s suburbs and motorways, it was sufficient to point out the Megane as a succesful, simple to reside with automotive. Steering was mild however nonetheless gave affordable ‘really feel’. Dealing with gave the impression to be good, however I would really like extra time on various (and extra acquainted) roads to completely assess that.
One slight disappointment was the agency journey. This, by the way in which, was most likely because of the present automotive trend equal of excessive heels: i.e. becoming massive wheel rims with low profile tyres. (The Megane is fitted with 20 inch rims and 215mm broad, 45 profile tyres). Thoughts-you, although the Megane was a bit ‘jiggly’ over uneven surfaces, its suspension was additionally effectively designed sufficient to comfortably take obstacles like velocity humps in its stride.
Renault have additionally included a full suite of ADAS (Superior Driver Help System) features. Particularly, the protected following distance warning was effectively offered as ‘time to subsequent automobile’ proven in inexperienced, amber or crimson to indicate a protected distance primarily based on the journey velocity.
Value
One side of the drawn out arrival of the Megane E-Tech was the drop in worth between the preliminary pricing announcement in June 2023 and its arrival. Initially, it was to be round $80,000, however its on-the-road worth is now roughly $70,500 (earlier than software of any related state subsidies).
Competitors
The closest competitor to the Megane E-Tech can be the brand new Hyundai Kona electrical at $65,000 on-the-road (OTR). Others embody maybe the MG4 mid-range ($48,000 OTR/450 km WLTP) or long-range ($60,000 OTR/530 km WLTP).
The Atto 3 may additionally get a look-in, however it’s larger (at 4.45 m lengthy) plus the longest vary model of the Atto 3 (at $54,000 OTR) is 30 km WLTP lower than the Megane.
On paper, a Tesla Mannequin Y can also be a really shut competitor in each worth ($71k OTR) and vary (455 km WLTP), nevertheless it is usually a considerably bigger automotive (4.75 metres lengthy in comparison with the Megane at a diminutive 4.2 m).
As well as, the Tesla could not enchantment to the shopper profile of the Megane E-Tech, given the Tesla’s minimalist method of utilizing a central laptop interface with no driver’s show, lack of tactile buttons and no indicator stalk.
Summing up
On the day, Renault had been at pains to advertise the Megane E-Tech as principally a metropolis automotive. This was shocking – and maybe reveals Renault Australia usually are not but absolutely on-board with understanding EVs.
With a WLTP vary of 454 km, good driving dynamics, roomy inside and 130 kW DC charging – to me it might make all-round alternative for the present mid-sized household automotive. Particularly given it has a towing capability as much as 900 kg.
Given the Renault Megane E-Tech is priced moderately in opposition to its direct worth competitor of the Hyundai Kona (and ‘perhaps’ competitor of the Tesla Mannequin Y), the selection comes right down to specs, worth and private alternative of design language.
The Renault displays a European type of car design which can enchantment to a sure group of consumers – as do the Atto 3, Tesla and MG enchantment to different design languages and worth factors.
As a closing notice: it’s incredible to see some selection in decisions and magnificence growing within the EV market, or because the French say, vive la différence!
Technical specs for the Renault Megane E-Tech:
TECHNO EV60 60kWh
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Variety of seats
5
Battery sort (kWh)
60
Battery expertise
Lithium-ion
Complete voltage
400
Battery weight (kg)
394 (+/- 5)
Licensed driving vary in WLTP cycle (km)(1)
454
Licensed consumption in mixed cycle (Wh/km)(1)
156
Electrical engine expertise
Synchronous with wound rotor
Most energy (kW)
160
Most torque (Nm)
300
Efficiency 0-100km/h (sec)
7.4
Charging
Charger
AC adaptive single section as much as 7.4kW and DC as much as 130kW
2.3kW home socket (10A single-phase) (0-100%)(2)
Approx 30hrs 30m
7.4kW home charging level (32A single-phase) (0-100%)(2)
Approx 9hrs 15m
22kW charging level (32A three-phase) (0-100%)(2)
Approx 9hrs 15m
130kW DC speedy charging level (15-80%)(2)
Approx 30min
Gearbox
Gearbox
Single-speed discount gear
Sort
Computerized
Steering
Energy assisted
Sure (electrical)
Turning circle between kerbs (m)
10.56
Variety of steering wheel turns (lock to lock)
2.3
Wheels and tyres
Wheel rims
20″ alloy
Tyre dimensions
215/45 R20 95T
Braking
entrance: ventilated disc (VD) Ø (mm)
VD Ø320
Rear: ventilated disc (VD) – Ø (mm)
VD Ø292
Weights (kg) ^^
Tare weight
1642
Gross automobile weight
2169
Payload
450
Most towing weight, braked
900
Most towing weight, unbraked
750
Most towing weight, obtain
75
Dimensions
Total size (mm)
4200
Wheelbase (mm)
2685
Entrance overhang (mm)
800
Rear overhang (mm)
715
Total width (mm)
1768
Total top (mm)
1500
Boot quantity (L)
440
Most boot quantity (L)
1332
Bryce Gaton is an professional on electrical automobiles and contributor for The Pushed and Renew Economic system. He has been working within the EV sector since 2008 and is at the moment working as EV electrical security coach/supervisor for the College of Melbourne. He additionally offers help for the EV Transition to enterprise, authorities and the general public by his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.