Petrol and diesel Renault Megane models dropped and replaced with a fully electrified line-up that offers up to 50km of electric running.
Renault has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid powertrain is coming to the Megane hatchback, joining the Sport Tourer version of the Megane PHEV from August next month, with first deliveries commencing in Europe in September.
With its arrival, Renault will drop non-hybrid petrol and diesel models from the Megane hatch and wagon range. Pricing and full details have yet to be confirmed. Locally, Renault only offers the Megane in R.S hot hatch guise and is yet to commit to bringing the electrified models Down Under.
Like the Sport Tourer, the electrified Megane combines a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, small 48kW electric motor plus a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery that’s currently used in the Sport Tourer.
Total power is 118kW and 360Nm of torque, providing a 0-100kph time of 9.4 seconds. Most will be more impressed by the plug-in Megane’s 1L/100km and ultra-low emissions of just 28g/km of CO2.
From launch, just two trims will be offered – an Iconic variant and a sportier RS Line. Both versions come with cruise control, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, an Eco and EV mode button, plus three driving modes, as well as front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam headlamps.
Options specific to the Iconic trim include 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, Renault’s Easylink navigation system, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that’s accessed via a seven-inch touchscreen.
Upgrade to the RS Line and you get body-coloured RS Line bumpers, larger 17-inch alloys, an RS branded leather steering wheel, a more advanced emergency autonomous braking system, a rear-view parking camera, hands-free parking aid and a larger 9.3-inch central touchscreen.
Optional extras for the Megane Hatch Plug-in Hybrid include a Safety Pack that adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and E-Call. A further Pack introduces semi-autonomous cruise that can handle stop and go, lane centering and rear cross traffic alert.
Renault Australia is yet to confirm if the model(s) will arrive locally.
John Mahony