Renault Megane E-Tech Electric confirmed for Australia

UPDATE, February, 2022: It's confirmed, the new Renault Megane E-Tech electric SUV will come to Australia in 2023 – although exact timing and pricing is still to be locked in.

UPDATE, December 20, 2021: Renault has announced pricing of the new Megane E-Tech Electric in its native France, going directly up against its European rivals.

The entry-level Megane E-Tech, which is powered by a single 100kW motor and a 40kWh battery pack, will go on sale for €35,200 (AU$55,575), while the range-topping 160kW motor, 60kWh variant can be specced up to €51,400 (AU$81,150) in its most expensive guise.

Acccording to Automotive News, the Megane E-Tech's price puts it up against the Volkswagen ID.3, listed for sale in France for €39,900 (AU$63,000) before on-road costs and subsidies, as Tesla's popular Model 3 starts at €43,800 (AU$69,150).

Read below to find out what we know so far about the new all-electric Renault.

26

The story to here

September 6, 2021: The electric 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric has been unveiled at the Munich motor show today, just hours after a number of official photos surfaced online in a media leak. This story has been updated to reflect the now official details.

As expected – thanks to official camouflaged photos released in July – the Megane E-Tech wears a look that stays fairly loyal to its eVision concept progenitor.

26

Renault’s retro-inspired new logo features at both ends, with a flowing LED lighting signature standing out as a key styling element up front.

Readers not pleased with the extensive spread of EVs that wear a faux-grille design at the front will also be pleased to see the Megane E-Tech limits that affectation to a fake grille behind the number plate and a genuine cooling intake and air dam in the lower bumper.

The Megane E-Tech is otherwise unremarkable in its styling, with a conventional look through the profile that bears common traits like muscular haunches, an upswept glasshouse and a chrome garnish running the length of the tapered roofline.

26

A full interior view is still to be revealed, but an earlier official release showed a tall main display paired with a wide instrument display behind the steering wheel. A sporty new steering wheel design is also featured.

Measuring 4210mm long, 1800mm wide and 1505mm tall in its earlier eVision concept form, the electric SUV is closer in size to the compact Captur SUV than the small Megane hatch from which it takes its name, so a proper family-sized electric Renault could still be some time away.

The compact Megane E-Tech Electric will be offered with 40kWh and 60kWh battery packs, with the bigger of those two claiming a WLTP-tested driving range of 470 kilometres.

26

In single-motor form, Renault has previously said buyers can expect 160kW and 300Nm, with a 0-100km/h time just below eight seconds – unsurprising given the EV tips the scales at 1624kg.

Sports models are expected – potentially wearing the Alpine badge and with up to 290kW and 600Nm on offer – borrowed from the hero e-4ORCE variant of the bigger (but related) Nissan Ariya electric SUV. In the Nissan, those numbers are claimed to result in a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds.

Compatible with AC and DC charging infrastructure, the Megane can be recharged gain as much as 300km range from a 30 minute charge with the DC 130kW charger, while the top-level, 32A/22kW triple-phase AC charging can provide a 160km boost over an hour.

26

Available in three levels of trim – Equilibre, Techno and Iconic – the Megane's range of standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels and a massive 24-inch OpenR screen, combining the 12.3-inch digital dash with its 12-inch infotainment display as one large panel.

A set of 20-inch wheels feature in the highest trim package while every variant can be ordered in any one of six colours – Rafale Grey, Schist Grey, Midnight Blue, Flame Red, Diamond Black, and Glacier White – or in a two-tone finish, recolouring the roof, pillars and side mirrors in either Schist Grey, Diamond Black or Glacier White.

26

Will the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric come to Australia?

An Australia debut for the Megane E-Tech Electric has not been confirmed, but the brand's representation has previously said it is excited to see the new model.

A local debut would seem likely, however, and we should see the brand offer clearer insight in the near future.