New logo, tech, EV focus for Renault: Megane EV due 2022

Renault has unveiled its vision for the future – and much of it revolves around hybrid and electric cars.

In unveiling its revised and modernised logo overnight, the French brand also revealed teaser images of the Megane e-Tech Electric that’s due in 2022 as the first of seven promised new EVs due by 2025.

Inspired by the Megane eVision concept revealed in 2020, the e-Tech Electric with complement the growing family of Renault e-Tech Hybrid models being rolled out to meet stringent CO2 standards in Europe.

The Electric’s styling is expected to be toned down from that original concept car, although the fresh teaser images suggest style is still high on the agenda – and it’s on the consideration list for Renault Australia, now imported by experienced independent importer Ateco.

“We’ll be looking closely at all of it,” said Ateco spokesman Oliver Peagam.

“We’re interested in anything that’s available in right-hand drive.”

The e-Tech Electric is expected to ride higher than a regular Megane with a crossover flavour, although with a battery pack promised at just 11cm thick – claimed to be the thinnest in the industry – it’s also likely to maximise interior space.

The Megane e-Tech Electric is expected to launch with a 60kWh battery powering a 160kW/300Nm electric motor. EV range should be around 450km.

However, the car could also adopt a larger battery as part of a revised EV drivetrain throughout its life.

Under the “nouvelle vague” – or new wave – banner, Renault is promising to become “the greenest brand in Europe” by 2030, with 90 percent of its sales being electrified vehicles.

Key to the Renault new wave is a new focus on technology, something hinted at with the interior of the e-Tech Electric.

New screens hint at a new way of thinking for infotainment systems and the company says the focus is on storage and occupant space, comfort and convenience.

As with many EVs, the e-Tech Electric is expected to maximise the packaging benefits of an EV architecture. It will be built on the CMF-EV platform that was developed by the Renault-Nissan alliance, providing the foundations for a family of EVs.

The CMF-EV architecture is also under the Nissan Ariya that is on the wish list for Nissan Australia.

And things will be happening quickly.

Joining the Megane e-Tech in 2022 will be an all-electric Kangoo e-Tech Electric, presumably proving a replacement for the Kangoo ZE that is currently the only electric van on sale in Australia.