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This is our first look at the new, next-generation and pure-electric Renault Megane, which will be revealed in full later in 2021.
The hatchback has been a stalwart of the French brand’s line-up for the past 25 years, but the current demand for electric cars and crossovers means Renault will soon broaden the car’s horizons.
It will combine the car industry’s two most popular trends by adopting a new pseudo-SUV stance and an electric powertrain. It’ll also be based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s dedicated CMF-EV platform, a version of which underpins the pure-electric Ariya SUV.
Renault previewed the car in October last year with the Megane eVision concept and, although these test mules are still heavily camouflaged, we can tell many of the prototype’s styling cues will make it into production.
The slim LED headlamps look very similar to the concept’s and, underneath the wrap we expect to find a near identical front bumper. The EV’s waistline looks like the Megane eVision’s, with a similar kick up to rear quarter light and shaved rear door handles. Renault has also retained the show car’s raised ride-height, in the likely hope of capturing potential Kia e-Niro and Skoda Enyaq buyers.
Renault Megane - spyshot 4
Renault Megane - spyshot 8
Renault Megane eVision - front
Renault Megane eVision - badge
Renault Megane - spyshot 6
Renault Megane - spyshot 7
Renault Megane eVision - side static
Renault Megane - spyshot 2
Renault Megane - spyshot 3
Renault Megane eVision - front studio
Renault Megane eVision - rear studio
Renault Megane eVision - rear above
Renault Megane eVision - rear/side
Renault Megane eVision - side
Renault Megane eVision - front/side
Renault Megane eVision - full rear
Renault Megane - spyshot 1
Renault Megane eVision - front above
Renault Megane eVision - rear
Renault Megane eVision - full front
Renault Megane - spyshot 5
Renault Megane - spyshot 9
Renault Megane eVision - front static
Renault Megane eVision - rear detail
Despite the SUV stance, the new Megane EV is expected to be slightly smaller than the current hatchback. The concept measures 4,210mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,505mm tall, giving it dimensions comparable to the supermini-sized Captur crossover.
However, the packaging benefits of the car’s electric powertrain mean there should be at least as much room inside as the petrol-powered Megane. Renault has pushed the wheels further out towards the car’s corners and, as the electric motor doesn’t need a transmission tunnel, there’s likely to be a little extra legroom, too.
Renault has released some tentative technical specifications. The Megane eVision concept has an electric motor on the front axle and a 60kWh battery pack mounted under the cabin floor, for an output of 214bhp and 300Nm of torque. A similar setup is already available on the Nissan Ariya.
Renault says that’s enough for a 0–62mph time of “less than eight seconds.” The company hasn’t released a range figure as such, although executives have said the system will be able to drive from London to Newcastle in the same amount of time as a petrol-engined car. That would suggest a range of around 275 miles.
As the electric Megane’s platform will be the same as the Nissan Ariya’s, it will also offer support for 130kW DC rapid charging. That should allow the battery pack to take on an 80 per cent charge in around half an hour.
Now read our review of the Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…
Continue reading...
The hatchback has been a stalwart of the French brand’s line-up for the past 25 years, but the current demand for electric cars and crossovers means Renault will soon broaden the car’s horizons.
It will combine the car industry’s two most popular trends by adopting a new pseudo-SUV stance and an electric powertrain. It’ll also be based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s dedicated CMF-EV platform, a version of which underpins the pure-electric Ariya SUV.
Renault previewed the car in October last year with the Megane eVision concept and, although these test mules are still heavily camouflaged, we can tell many of the prototype’s styling cues will make it into production.
The slim LED headlamps look very similar to the concept’s and, underneath the wrap we expect to find a near identical front bumper. The EV’s waistline looks like the Megane eVision’s, with a similar kick up to rear quarter light and shaved rear door handles. Renault has also retained the show car’s raised ride-height, in the likely hope of capturing potential Kia e-Niro and Skoda Enyaq buyers.
Renault Megane - spyshot 4
Renault Megane - spyshot 8
Renault Megane eVision - front
Renault Megane eVision - badge
Renault Megane - spyshot 6
Renault Megane - spyshot 7
Renault Megane eVision - side static
Renault Megane - spyshot 2
Renault Megane - spyshot 3
Renault Megane eVision - front studio
Renault Megane eVision - rear studio
Renault Megane eVision - rear above
Renault Megane eVision - rear/side
Renault Megane eVision - side
Renault Megane eVision - front/side
Renault Megane eVision - full rear
Renault Megane - spyshot 1
Renault Megane eVision - front above
Renault Megane eVision - rear
Renault Megane eVision - full front
Renault Megane - spyshot 5
Renault Megane - spyshot 9
Renault Megane eVision - front static
Renault Megane eVision - rear detail
Despite the SUV stance, the new Megane EV is expected to be slightly smaller than the current hatchback. The concept measures 4,210mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,505mm tall, giving it dimensions comparable to the supermini-sized Captur crossover.
However, the packaging benefits of the car’s electric powertrain mean there should be at least as much room inside as the petrol-powered Megane. Renault has pushed the wheels further out towards the car’s corners and, as the electric motor doesn’t need a transmission tunnel, there’s likely to be a little extra legroom, too.
Renault has released some tentative technical specifications. The Megane eVision concept has an electric motor on the front axle and a 60kWh battery pack mounted under the cabin floor, for an output of 214bhp and 300Nm of torque. A similar setup is already available on the Nissan Ariya.
Renault says that’s enough for a 0–62mph time of “less than eight seconds.” The company hasn’t released a range figure as such, although executives have said the system will be able to drive from London to Newcastle in the same amount of time as a petrol-engined car. That would suggest a range of around 275 miles.
As the electric Megane’s platform will be the same as the Nissan Ariya’s, it will also offer support for 130kW DC rapid charging. That should allow the battery pack to take on an 80 per cent charge in around half an hour.
Now read our review of the Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…
Continue reading...