This is the Renault Megane like you’ve never seen it – an all-new, all-electric compact car oozing style, tech and clever packaging
Tesla tends to hog the limelight on the EV stage, so it’s easy to forget that over in Europe it’s Renault which has helped bring electric cars to the masses. Selling more than 400,000 EVs in little more than a decade with models like the ZOE and Twingo Electric, the French brand enjoyed a head-start over the opposition but has since been overtaken – obliterated, actually – by the Tesla Model 3 and new arrivals like the Volkswagen ID.3. This fifth-generation Megane is Renault’s retaliation and, boy, it’s a beauty. All-new from the ground up, the E-Tech Electric is as technically advanced as they come and marks a big return to form in the style department. The future of Renault is right here.
Pumping it up
Earning maximum points for bravery, the all-new fifth-generation 2022 Renault Megane will not ever be offered with conventional petrol or diesel engines, or even a hybrid powertrain.
Instead, to aid the transition from internal combustion to all-electric, Renault’s current fourth-gen small hatchback will have its lifecycle extended for at least a couple of years while the E-Tech Electric takes hold.
Despite being described as a hatch, there’s been some deliberate crossover styling and packaging pumped into the muscular-looking Renault Megane E-Tech Electric to help it challenge not only the current Volkswagen ID.3, but the ID.4 SUV and a swathe of other rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, to name just a few.
Renault’s Australian importer says it’s too early to confirm the local model line-up and pricing, but it’s likely the Megane E-Tech Electric will touch down early in 2023 with a single-motor powertrain offered with two tiers of performance and two lithium-ion battery options.
It’s also expected two of the three trim levels offered in Europe will make it to Australia.
In Europe, the Megane E-Tech range kicks off at around $55,000 plus on-road costs, while the most popular mid-range Techno model we drove at launch adds $4000 to place it tantalisingly close to the base-level Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 (both starting from $59,900 in Australia).
Whether it’s the Equilibre, Techno or Iconic trim level, Renault hasn’t skimped on kit.
The standard version comes with 18-inch wheels, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.0-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition.
Other headline items include wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless smartphone charging.
The higher-grade Techno gets the Google Automotive operating system that includes Google Maps, as well as larger 20-inch rims, a six-speaker premium sound system, climate control, more advanced headlight tech and a cabin air filtration system.
Adding another $4000 to the bottom line, the range-topping Iconic features full-LED lamps, a nine-speaker sound system, different 20-inch alloys and dashes of garish gold paint.
Two battery pack sizes will be initially offered – 40kWh and 60kWh – that combine with a small 96kW electric motor in entry grades.
The 40kWh version allows the Megane E-Tech Electric EV40 130ch to cover up to 300km (WLTP) between top-ups, while the larger 60kWh battery stretches the distance for the EV60 130ch model to 470km.
At the top of the tree is a 160kW electric motor that is only combined with the 60kWh battery and allows the EV60 220ch model to travel up to 450km on a single charge.
Currently there’s no plan for any dual-motor models as it will rob the Megane of its decent-sized boot.
Because of the way it packages its batteries there’s only space for charging cables under the boot floor, so if you’re looking for a full-size spare or even space-saver you’ll be sorely disappointed.
The 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is set to come with the car-maker’s five year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and ultra-low servicing costs that are yet to be confirmed for Australia.
We expect the brand to also offer capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance for the first five years.
In France, Renault dealers generously allow free on-premises fast-charging, giving owners an added incentive to check out the brand’s latest line-up.
To ensure the Megane E-Tech improves during its life, Renault will frequently introduce free over-the-air updates that could boost range, efficiency and performance.
Various paid-for subscription options are also understood to be in the pipeline.
A lighter path
The 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is the first car to be based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s all-new dedicated CMF-EV architecture.
Speaking to the engineers who helped create the Megane E-Tech, it doesn’t take long before you pick up on how immensely proud they are of it.
One of the key advantages is that the aluminium-rich platform, combined with other weight-saving measures, sees the Megane E-Tech tip the scales at least 100kg lighter on average than an “unnamed competitor” (read: Volkswagen ID.3).
The next take-away when it comes to performance is Renault has developed its own electric motor that differs from its rivals and avoids using any magnets.
Instead, the electrically excited synchronous motor is claimed to develop better power, doesn’t require rare-earth metals and is claimed to be substantially more efficient at high speed.
“It’s a car you won’t be afraid to cruise at 130km/h,” remarked one engineer, talking about how efficient the Megane is at European highway speeds that normally obliterate an electric car’s range.
The gains come from a lack of ‘drag’ that magnets create when lifting off the throttle at speed.
For our drive, we missed out on the cheapest 96kW/250Nm version that is only capable of hauling the Renault hatch from 0-100km/h in 10 seconds.
Instead, we sampled what will be the most powerful 160kW single-motor powertrain that also produces 300Nm of torque.
Against the clock, the EV60 220ch can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.4 seconds but, behind the wheel, feels brisker.
It’s also worth mentioning that mid-range acceleration is also impressive. Top speed is 150km/h for the 96kW version and 160km/h for the 160kW variant.
In isolation, the Megane E-Tech performs well but is still blown out of the water by the standard Tesla Model 3 that has a longer driving range (now up to 491km) but takes just 5.5 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash.
Like its US rival, the small Renault hatch gets the car-maker’s latest semi-autonomous driver aids that includes an adaptive cruise control system that self-steers smoothly to maintain its lane but is too easily fooled by signs for lower speed limits on off-ramps.
Other departure points
Starting from scratch, designers and engineers had carte blanche with the 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and, remarkably, the designers won out. Witness its very average 0.29Cd drag coefficient.
Instead of making it as slippery as possible, designers focused on making it as visually arresting as they could. Renault says its latest creation remains a hatch but its proportions and extra muscle hint more at a crossover or small SUV.
Inside, without doubt the Megane E-Tech’s cabin is the car-maker’s best yet.
From its blend and quality of materials and execution of on-board tech to fine attention to detail and ease of use, the new-age Megane has what it takes to rob both Tesla and VW of customers.
When it comes to driving, Renault has, again, preferred to make a break from the norm and gone with a front-engine, front-wheel drive approach.
Engineers have favoured packaging rather than outright dynamics by placing the motor, inverter and transmission, plus the radiators and cabin heating and air-con, under the front bonnet.
Helped further by the thin battery pack that stands only 110mm tall – its rivals are typically 150mm – there’s plenty of space throughout the Megane E-Tech’s cabin as well as a decent 440-litre boot (extending to 1332L with the rear seats folded).
Even the dash is 80mm slimmer than a Clio supermini’s thanks to squeezing everything under the bonnet.
In reality, despite its efficient front-mounted packaging, weight distribution remains 54:46 front-to-rear.
And, for the first time, Renault has engineered a multi-link rear suspension for the Megane.
Alarm bells were triggered ahead of our drive that Renault has developed a variable-ratio steering rack to help boost agility. Similar arrangements have detracted from the driving experience in Audi RS models, for example.
Luckily, the new steering tech isn’t too quick on the move, either at low or higher speeds, and combined with the strong performance on tap, the 160kW Megane E-Tech offers an effortless, relaxing driving experience.
Not that it isn’t without fault.
Despite claiming it has developed an advanced foam material to dampen out unwanted racket there’s still too much road noise allowed to permeate the cabin.
The ride, while well controlled, is also too busy for our liking – not a good omen on smooth Spanish roads for when it has to cope with Australia’s poor excuse for blacktop.
In admittedly damp, slippery conditions, other than its strong punch between corners the Renault fails to match the engaging drive delivered by Tesla.
There’s also a lack of grip from its Goodyear 215/45-section energy-saving tyres.
That said, we suspect only those on intimate terms with the Tesla Model 3 might have cause to complain about the performance offered by the Renault Megane EV at the top end of the range, and that most will be quite content with the driving experience.
Charging remains the biggest bugbear of any electric vehicle, but the Megane E-Tech is among the best in its class for charging times thanks to its (60kWh) battery’s ability to be topped up at up to 130kW (DC), which provides 300km of range in around 30 minutes.
Renault also equips all European-spec versions with a 22kW charger, which is double that of some of its rivals for brisker home charging.
Coming of age
Perhaps for the first time in the Megane’s history, the French brand’s small car – courtesy of this all-new battery-powered 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric – jumps straight to the top of its class.
What it lacks in dynamic sparkle behind the wheel, it more than makes up for with its classy design, Google-based tech and quality cabin.
While other legacy car-makers will struggle with the transition from combustion to all-electric, it seems modern Renaults are coming of age.
The ZOE and Twingo Electric might have laid the foundations, but the Megane E-Tech and others of its ilk will cement the French car-maker’s success in markets like Australia.
Based on our first drive of the new-age Megane, its charm, design and engineering all combine to create a winning formula.
How much does the 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric EV60 220ch Techno cost?Price: $70,000 estimated (plus on-road costs)Available: Early 2023Powertrain: Electrically excited synchronous motorOutput: 160kW/300NmTransmission: Single-speed reduction gearBattery: 60kWh lithium-ionRange: 450km (WLTP)Energy consumption: 16.1kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: Renault Megane E-Tech Electric 2022 Review – International