Renault Australia’s importer Ateco has further detailed plans to sell the Megane E-Tech electric car, telling us this week to expect first deliveries near the end of 2023.
The chic little (just 4210mm long) crossover will broaden Renault Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) range, with the Kangoo E-Tech electric van on track to arrive here in early 2023.
The Renault Megane E-Tech is the French brand’s answer to the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona Electric, MG ZS EV, Volkswagen ID.3, and numerous others. It would, of course, be remiss not to mention the bigger Tesla Model 3 and Model Y too.
The Megane E-Tech made its world premiere in September 2021, but priority markets such as those in Europe – where CO2 reduction plans create an incentive to sell more EVs – will receive first allocations, given ongoing supply constraints.
April this year saw Renault temporarily halt production at its factory in northern France, citing a parts shortage and COVID-19 lockdown measures in China.
The new-world Megane sits on the Renault-Nissan CMF-EV platform, allowing a long 2700mm wheelbase within the compact 4210mm body – making it space-efficient. This is enhanced by the in-floor battery that’s 110mm thick.
The two powertrain options make either 96kW and 250Nm, or 160kW and 300Nm, and battery options store 40kWh (allowing a 300km WLTP range) or 60kWh (470km claimed range).
Renault says the most powerful E-Tech can do the 100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds, and is capable of 160km/h flat out.
Inside, the new Megane is heavy on screens. It combines a 12.3-inch digital driver display with a 12.0-inch central screen running the latest Renault infotainment software.
Built around Google’s Android Automotive, the system is called OpenR Link. It can be updated over-the-air, and supports the sort of gestures familiar to iPhone or Android phone users.
Renault says a selection of recycled materials have been used throughout the cabin, each of which has a unique look and feel. Genuine leather is also an option.
Keen to know more about the Megane E-Tech? Read our reveal piece here, our weekend design analysis here, and most importantly our review from the European launch here.
“There’s an electrifying future, we’ve got terrific product coming through,” claims Ateco’s general manager for Renault Australia, Glen Sealey.
“All-new Kangoo E-Tech in January next year, Megane E-Tech lands here at the end of next year, and further electrification of new products coming though…
“Any new product that’s announced from the EV side, we have our hands up for,” Mr Sealey added, including the reborn Renault 5 hatch.
We can expect more electrified products to be arriving in 2024-26, including European-market hybrids and potentially the larger, reborn Scenic crossover, just previewed in concept from.
Renault 5 concept
Renault Scenic Vision concept