Europe’s uber-popular Mégane E-Tech gets a beefier body, an all-electric powertrain, and a 292-miles WLTP range.
The humble hatchback achieved legendary status since its initial release 26 years ago. Be it grocery shopping, vacationing, or even a track day, the Mégane can do it all. Indeed, the sportiest variant, the Mégane Trophy R, even holds the record for the fastest FWD car around the Nürburgring. However, with the electric wave booming recently, the French marquee had no other choice but to go down a similar route.
With the Mégane now in uncharted territory, Renault bestowed the electric crossover with a fresh new design and a raft of new electronic features. First, shiny new LEDs now accentuate the new rectangular grille with snake-shaped DRLs to distinguish it from its more conventional siblings.
Over to the sides, the E-Tech’s roofline gently sweeps downward to give the crossover a sportier edge, while chrome strips that run across the window sills, blacked-out windows, glossy black wheel arches, and black side panels really complement the Mégane’s new look. At the rear, things remain clean and tidy with sleek wraparound taillights, and the 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels bring everything together quite nicely.
Don’t get fooled by the relatively simple exterior, though—it is the Mégane’s interior that’s stealing the show here! Renault fitted the crossover with a first-in-class 24-inch display, split into a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 12-inch infotainment screen. The automaker also teamed up with Google to include its suite of services, such as Google Assistant, Maps, Play Store, and other goodies to keep passengers happy.
Furthermore, the Mégane E-Tech features a comprehensive suite of 26 Advanced driver-assistance systems, including Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. And since Renault’s focus has recently shifted towards sustainability, the seats and carpets are made from 100% recycled fabrics.
Now, on to the heart of the matter, the powertrain. The Mégane E-tech is offered in two different configurations; the entry-level variant is powered by a 40 kWh battery and a single motor producing 130 hp and 169 lb-ft, while the higher-end model gets a bigger 60 kWh battery, good enough for 218 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque.
Renault claims 186 and 292 miles ranges on a full charge, and if you think that it might be on the shorter side, you’ll be happy to hear the Mégane also supports fast-charging up to 165 kW, allowing to recharge up to 186 miles in just 30 mins—not bad, right?.
Renault plans to launch the E-Tech crossover in the ultra-competitive C-segment space in February 2022, but of course, it won’t make it to the US.
Gallery: Renault Mégane E-Tech
More details on Renault’s news website
