Renault has unveiled the all-new electric Mégane E-Tech at the IAA Munich Mobility Show 2021.
This will be the first model to be 100% ‘Made in ElectriCity’, Renault Group’s new industrial hub and European leader of EV vehicles located in the North of France. Inspired by the MORPHOZ concept car in 2019 then heralded by the Mégane eVision show car in 2020, the latest model with a sleek, elegant style goes beyond expectations.
Renault explained that the Mégane E-Tech Electric is the first of its Generation 2.0 electric vehicles and marks the beginning of a new chapter of the electric revolution that started some 10 years ago.
The new EV is equipped with intelligent charging capabilities and, ultimately, it will be able to feed power back into the grid when needed thanks to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. It is the first model in the Renault range to benefit from all the Alliance's CMF-EV platform has to offer. Thanks to disruptive technology and batteries with greater capacity, the platform offers the opportunity to increase the energy efficiency and range of an electric car while reducing its charging time.
With the extended wheelbase (2.70m for a total length of 4.21m) and reduced overhang offered by the new CMF-EV modular platform, the Renault features a battery that is thinner than ever (only 110mm) allowing the designers to refine the external proportions while also boosting the car’s interior roominess vs. footprint ratio and lowering the centre of gravity for a more exciting driving experience.
The motor is compact and only weighs 145kg – 10% less than the motor currently used on the Zoe, despite a marked increase in both power and torque. Offered in two guises – 96kW (130hp) with 250Nm, or 160kW (218hp) with 300Nm – it takes the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric from 0 to 62mph in just 7.4 seconds.
The Mégane E-Tech Electric comes with a choice of two battery capacities: 40kWh for a range of 186 miles (WLTP), and 60kWh for a range of up to 292 miles. The 40-kWh battery is made of 8 modules of 24 cells each, distributed over a single layer. The 60-kWh battery consists of 12 modules of 24 cells each, spread over two layers. Up to 186 miles can be recovered in 30 minutes with a 130kW fast charging station.
Standing as the first model of the new generation of Renault’s EV native cars, the Mégane is also the first model to bear the brand’s new ‘Nouvel’R’ logo. The unique design goes against the grain of what traditional compact saloon cars look like, giving the model stronger character, but also better aerodynamics and economy.
Full-LED lighting at the front and back of the Mégane has been finely laser cut to express its modernity. The car features a brand-new lighting signature with ‘electrifying’ patterns that cross over to the central logo. At the front, daytime running lamps appear to extend beyond the projectors and continue their path up to the side air vents on the shield. At the rear, numerous laser-cut micro-optic fibres laid in criss-crossing lines create an intriguing 3D-like shimmer effect. In addition to the elegant indicators, the brake lights are displayed in two clear lines, much like a ‘pause’ sign.
The Renault automatically detects when the person holding the car’s key card is within one metre of the car. The vehicle then sets off a light sequence where the headlamps light up starting in the middle, then moving out before fading to black on the daytime running lamps with the indicators on. At the rear, the light strip and lamps light up while the indicators flash.
Interior dimensions of the All-New Mégane are similar to those of the ICE-powered Mégane if not bigger. The CMF-EV platform serves to enhance the car’s overall spaciousness and practicality with an extended wheelbase, smaller engine compartment incorporating air-conditioning components, pared back dashboard, and so on.
The vehicle is equipped with the brand-new OpenR single screen that combines the digital instrument panel and central console multimedia screen. It incorporates the latest-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 4K multiple display capabilities, and advanced connectivity with USB-C ports.
The ‘instrument panel’ section of the OpenR screen accommodates four different driver displays according to their priorities: driving layout, navigation layout, zen layout, and battery layout.
The thinner battery means the centre of gravity is lower (-90mm compared to the Mégane ICE) and the car is more agile. Weight is evenly distributed thanks to the battery being housed under the floor.
The E-Tech Electric is permanently connected to its user’s digital ecosystem, whether they are in the car or elsewhere, via the My Renault app or the various remote services. It includes a wide range of functions for all vehicle types (remote activation of lights and horn to help locate the car, etc.) and other EV-specific functions: remaining battery display, display of charging stations in the vicinity or near a specific location, scheduled charge times chosen by the driver, charging status and monitoring.
Also, the vehicle is equipped with 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that are divided into three categories: driving, parking, and safety. They bring the Mégane E-Tech Electric to the top of its class in terms of driver comfort and safety for passengers and other road users.
