Renault Megane E-Tech Electric

The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is an electric car produced by French manufacturer Renault since 2022. It is a five-door hatchback in the small family car market segment. Using the Mégane nameplate, it is the first Renault model based on a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform known as the CMF-EV. It was previewed by the Renault Mégane eVision concept car in 2020.

Overview
The Renault Mégane eVision is a concept car that was revealed in October 2020, previewing the Mégane E-Tech. The Mégane E-Tech was previewed by a near-production prototype in June 2021. The production version was revealed at the 2021 IAA in Munich in September 2021, while sales in Europe started in February 2022. The model is intended to go on sale in Australia at the end of 2023, with Renault's Australian distributor saying supply was limited by high-demand in Europe and that they were viewing the Mégane E-Tech as "a 2024 model". Production of the internal-combustion engine powered Renault Mégane IV initially continued alongside production of the new electric model. The car uses the CMF-EV platform, which it shares with the larger Nissan Ariya model. The car received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. The Megane is one of the lightest EV's on the market due to aluminium and carbon fibre in its construction. Its batteries are just 110mm thick, adding to its lightness. All of which helps with the range.

Design
Two prototypes were initially presented, with Renault chief-executive-officer Luca de Meo choosing the one with the "sporty" design and the company's design chief commenting on the car's aerodynamics, calling it an "Electric GTi". The car has been noted for having proportions that make its size hard to judge in photographs, being slightly shorter than many other family hatchbacks. The battery is located underneath the floor of the car, and thus the cabin is raised slightly compared to a combustion-engine powered car, being 50 mm taller than the Mégane IV. The design has elements which some find reminiscent of 4x4s, however various automotive publications describe it as a hatchback with design elements from coupés and crossovers. Euro NCAP classify it as a small family car.

The car has a high seating position with limited headroom for rear passengers, although the front is considered more spacious by motor journalists. The Mégane's high window sill line and small windows were criticized for having a very enclosed, oppressive and claustrophobic feel. Its physical temperature controls, however, were acknowledged for not being distracting while driving.

The Mégane has a boot capacity of 440 L. The majority of its capacity comes from its depth rather than its length, leading it to have a high loading lip. The car does not have a front boot, due to the presence of motors and other equipment within the bonnet. The Megane does have limited rear visibility, but this has been helped by a wide-angle camera rear-view mirror.

Powertrain
The Mégane E-Tech is available with two different batteries (40 kWh or 60 kWh) and two different traction motors with outputs of 96 kW (129 hp) and 250 Nm (180 lbft), or 160 kW (215 hp) and 300 Nm (220 lbft). The battery measures 1960 mm (77.2 in) x 110 mm x 1450 mm (57.1 in). Anticipated range is 300 to 470 km, depending on the original capacity, based on the WLTP cycle.

The 60 kWh battery that is compatible with fast-charging rates of up to 130 kW, allowing it to reclaim 200 km of range in 30 minutes. The electric motor produces 160 kW and 300 Nm of torque, powering the front wheels and delivering a claimed zero to 100 km/h acceleration in 7.5 seconds, but several motoring journals have clocked it at 6.9 seconds. It will also be equipped with 26 advanced driver-assistance systems for its Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The batteries have been placed in the car in a manner intended to insulate occupants from tyre noise.

Awards
In 2022, the journalists on the Autobest jury, hailing from 32 European countries, voted the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric as "Ecobest 2022".