Renault Megane E-Tech

First post long time lurker as of late, but former boardsie from many moons ago. That aside...


They showed the exterior of the concept a while back. It looks interesting and looking forward to seeing more on it.

Size-wise it seems to be closest to the Leaf or maybe a tiny bit smaller than ID3. I'm considering it as a replacement for a Renault Zoe due to needing more room, longer range, and better seats due to bad back.

It's FWD apparently which is a bit disappointing compared to the ID3. Although with the software being developed on Android Automotive that might make up for it. Bad translations from French aside, I don't think Renault's software is too bad.

It's been spotted out and about testing earlier in the year and the shape does resemble the concept fairly closely.
I can't post any links because of low post count, but if you look on motor1 the concept photos and spy shots are there.

Mad_Lad wrote: »

I hope it lasts a lot longer than the Fluence, has to have been one of the greatest Flops in automotive history!

I really like the 5 ev, I loved the old Renault 5 !!!

The Fluence was actually very successful and it was basically the just saloon version of the Megane.

On the road...



I'm seeing talk & rumours on some french sites of a 90kWh (or near) battery option. This would put the 60kWh car shown at roughly similar to the mid-range ID.3. There was also a mention of a 40kWh~ variant. That would give a better option for those looking at the Leaf 40 still.

Production model is to be shown at IAA Munich in early September. In the meantime they're out and about testing.

I'm still itching to see a pic of it against a known car to get a grasp on the size.

More - https://www.motor.es/noticias/renault-megane-e-tech-electric-fotos-pruebas-202179636.html

The stock was doing better but took a tumble after the H1 2020 results. I think the plan that they've laid out is promising and focus is on profitability. It'll be interesting when these models start coming out. Their first half 2021 results are out on Thursday I think?

Price-wise based on their last presentation they're looking to undercut VW by about 5%.

These are my favourite set though. I think you can get a better impression of it from this angles. Keep in mind that it's ID3-sized. There's a larger sibling on the way later, but Nissan gets first shot at that with the Ariya which is on the same platform.

How would that €33k in France translate to here? 40kWh is very small compared to the competition. Depending on the answer to that question it might not damage the sales of ID.3 and ID.4 and Enyaq in the EU at all...

That review suggests that the 40 kWh version is only available with AC charging (7/22 kW) and the 60kWh has AC/DC charging (up to 130kW). Renault's press release on it says that

"Depending on the version, it can also be compatible with DC charging infrastruture up to 130 kW (combo sockets CCS) charging infrastructures, such as fast charging stations on motorways. With DC 130kW, the All-new Mégane E-TECH Electric recovers up to 300km WLTP in just 30 min."

Hopefully that's not something that is set in stone.

Very high waistline with tiny back-seat windows and a letterbox-sized glass on the hatch, it would seem from the pics and vids.

Has Renault sacrificed practicality for style?

It looks totally ridiculous by Renault.

I expect them to change that eventually when it hurts them in the sales.

Peugeot made a mess up at the e208s international press launch by providing cars with harsh suspension.

They fixed it by the time the cars came to RHD in response to press criticism.

Hopefully Renault get harsh criticism when the road tests come along for this AC only on the 40 kwh model mess up

The 40kWh version would be ideal for a lot of people. Most cars travel less than 100km/day on average, well within the range of a 40kWh car. Not having fast charging limits the car to being a second car in a household or having to make longer stops when travelling. While that is acceptable for a city car like the Zoe, the Megane is marketed (and sized) as a family car, and should be capable of intercity travel. Renault are out of step with their competitors by not providing at least 50kW rapid charging. Given the charge rate the 60kWh version can attain, I would think that 75-90kW should be possible in the 40kWh. It's ridiculous that a new car introduced in 2022 will be intentionally so restricted in its capability. Small petrol cars don't get restricted to such an extent that they are nearly unusable for long journeys.

It also limits those who have no home charging. We don't have the infrastructure at the moment, but a new car should last 10-15 years, and at that point we will (hopefully) have some sort of solution in place for people with no home charging. This may involve rapid charging.

It's like they didn't learn from the Fluence.

If they stick to the specs advertised at launch, the 40 is a non-starter. Crippled by 7 or 22kW AC charging only. The 22 only was fine on the ZOE years ago but times have moved on.

I'm interested in the Mégane but wouldn't touch the 40. Really I want the 60kWh with the optional 22kW charging. It comes in handy in more rural areas without DC fast charging, or even some hotels that have 11 or 22kW charging. The 60kWh would also mean that about 90% of my driving would be good from home charging.