All-electric SUV replacement for Megane hatch will arrive Down Under in a single high-spec variant from October
The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech will hit Australian showrooms in October in a solitary high-specification variant priced at more than $70,000 before on-road costs.
Renault’s replacement for the long-running fourth-generation Megane hatch will be an all-electric mid-size SUV to be offered only in flagship trim, according to Renault Australia general manager Glenn Sealey.
That will make the battery-powered French SUV cheaper than other comparable electric SUVs from premium brands like Audi (Q8 e-tron), BMW (iX1), Genesis (GV70 EV), upcoming RZ 450e) and Mercedes-Benz (EQB and EQC).
But it would make the Megane E-Tech pricier than the cheapest small Chinese electric SUVs – the MG ZS EV from $44,990 drive-away and BYD Atto 3 from $48,011 plus ORCs – and the Hyundai Kona EV (from $54,500).
The closest competitors for Renault’s first electric SUV are likely to be the Polestar 2 crossover (RWD from $63,900), Tesla Model Y (RWD from $68,900) and Volvo’s Pure Electric XC40 and C40, priced from $73,990 and $75,990 respectively.
Unlike most of its rivals, however, the Renault Megane E-Tech is exclusively front-wheel drive and, in Australia, will be powered by a 60kWh battery feeding a front-mounted 160kW/300Nm electric motor.
Renault claims a 450km driving range on the WLTP cycle, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.4sec.
But Renault Australia’s first E-Tech model, which will be followed by the small Kangoo E-Tech and large Master E-Tech electric vans will come brimming with standard equipment in a push to elevate the positioning of the Megane nameplate.
Renault Australia chief Glenn Sealey cited Australia’s appetite for flagship variants – which currently account for more than 70 per cent of the brand’s overall sales – as the reason behind the single-grade strategy for the Megane E-Tech locally.
“We’re just taking one variant: big battery, big motor and the highest specification,” he said, adding that vehicles would not be sold online but via Renault Australia’s 58-dealer network.
“We’re targeting a price around the mid- to low-$70,000, before on-road costs. It’s about simplicity.”
Renault Australia acknowledges it faces an uphill battle in terms of securing production allocation for the Megane E-Tech, given the huge demand in Europe and other countries with strict emissions targets.
“Production is a different story, we aim to secure some volume right at the end of this year… we haven’t got our order numbers yet but we have good demand – our expressions of interest are in the thousands,” Sealey said.
Federal government homologation documents lodged by Renault’s Australian distributor Ateco Automotive reveal that two model grades have been trademarked for Australia –Techno and Iconic – which potentially leaves the door open to a more affordable version of the Megane E-Tech down the track.
But whereas other countries have access to a less powerful 96kW/250Nm variant, as well as a smaller 40kWh battery, Sealey confirmed those specs weren’t currently in line with Australian consumer preferences.
The higher-powered Megane E-Tech is capable of 130kW DC fast-charging, which Renault claims can deliver up to 350km worth of range in 30 minutes.
Charging via 7kW AC power will yield a full charge in about seven hours, says Renault.
Renault has confirmed the Megane E-Tech will be offered in Australia as standard with a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.0-inch centre touch-screen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and wireless phone charging.
Other standard items will include 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and paddle shifters for adjustable regenerative braking.
The cabin features recycled materials and is devoid of traditional leather, though buyers will have the option of synthetic ‘vegan leather’.
Renault officials say the Megane E-Tech will feature more than 20 different driver-assist features as standard, including autonomous emergency braking with ‘vulnerable’ road user detection and junction assist, lane keep assist with blind spot detection and emergency intervention, and occupant safe warning.
The fifth-generation Renault Megane was recently awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating and will be backed by Renault Australia’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, plus a separate eight-year battery warranty.
Keep your eyes peeled for our first Australian drive of the Megane E-Tech in the coming months, ahead of its arrival in showrooms in October.
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Keyword: Renault Megane E-Tech to cost more than $70K