Renault will launch a range-topping performance version of the Megane E-Tech next year as part of a radical styling makeover that will reposition the EV as a hot hatch.
The move is motivated by a desire to revive the Megane E-Tech’s appeal and reverse a sharp fall in sales of the car over the past 18 months.
Speaking at the Munich motor show, Renault brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive confirmed the Megane E-Tech will be repositioned as “a hot hatch or a hot car”, adding: “That’s the direction we want to go in.”
He also told reporters that Renault is exploring the viability of a new performance model and will show the “first proposals” within 12 months.
While he declined to give further details, the two are expected to be linked.
The brand’s last true dedicated sporting model was the fourth-generation Megane RS hot hatch, which went out of production in 2023 with the 296bhp Ultime run-out special.
Renault has begun experimenting with sportier models again recently, bringing to market the exclusive, £140,000 5 Turbo 3E – a 533bhp hyper-hatch designed to show what a Renault performance EV is capable of.
The new top-rung Megane E-Tech model isn’t expected to receive such a lofty power output, but a more feasible option is apparent from its Ampr Medium platform-mates.
Of those, the new Alpine A390’s bespoke 464bhp tri-motor powertrain isn’t likely to be transferred to the Megane E-Tech, but the Nissan Ariya Nismo’s 429bhp dual-motor set-up could be in play. The current Megane E-Tech is offered exclusively with a single electric motor and a topend output of 215bhp.
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PS I should have added a plea to Renault not to graft on the nose of the new Clio.
As a former Megane E-Tech owner I can say that it is a good car. Brilliant looking, quite comfortable and great tech supplemented by sensible physical controls. I didn't mind the proliferation of steering column stalks - although I have driven EVs with easier to use and more intuitive drive selectors. But the car never quite met my expectations but my history has largely been with warmish hot hatches. I found the steering too light with lack of feel even in sport mode. It was fast enough and handled tidily enough but I never felt as connected to the road as much as I would have liked. No complaints though about the ride which was supple without being too soft and bouncy. The brakes weren't very progressive and could grab quite suddenly. Other EVs get the integratatuon better.
One of issue that I never really came to terms with was the dark gloomy cabin. Ideally there would be a sunroof or panoramic roof option but I guess this is never going to happen as it would require reengineering the body. As a compromise I would like to eee a lighter colour headlining reserving the dark grey for the Alpine Spirit edition and some alternative trim colour options.
Finally on a revised model I would like to see a full one pedal (to stop) regenerative breaking and also a setting for no regeneration. I drove a diesel Audi Q7 yesterday and loved how it almost free wheeled along the motorway.
I do think Renault are right to reposition the car as a hot hatch because the fundamentals are there and there is no proper EV hot hatch in the C (Golf size) segment. The Alpine A290 is a bit too much in your face for me and the Mini Cooper too small and hard riding. I think the irony is that the Megane was meant to be the sporting variant of a new Megane line up but Renault ditched the more conventional looking hatch. One thing that surprises many is that despite its quite spacious interior the Megane E-Tech at just over 4 metres is quite a compact car - shorter than the last Fiesta and the current Corsa.
I defy anyone who has or has owned a Megane not to admit that it is one of the few cars that when you look back at you don't think it looks really beautiful.
If they're going to turn it into an aggressive mess it won't sell any better.
Short range? Mine will achieve over 200 miles with ease. I recently drove from Manchester to Cornwall with just a brief stop at Gloucester services where 15 mins on the charger was enough to give me plenty in reserve when I got home and didn't even leave me enough time to munch a sandwich and have a comfort break. The car will easily go further than I can manage in one session. Nearly every place I've visited that's beyond the return trip range of the car, has had AC chargers on site and the combined cost of public charging and home tariff still meant those trips cost less than fuelling a 50mpg petrol car. This is my first EV and tbh I'm starting to think that huge batteries and range anxiety are only for those that haven't lived with an EV for even a short time. As a former petrolhead having owned a number of sports cars I can honestly say that I don't miss engine noise and vibrations. It's getting harder to find manual cars anyway now and once you've accepted that modern auto boxes can swap gears better than 99% of drivers then the next logical step is asking why we need gearboxes at all when EVs provide seamless torque. It's not even like petrol cars are actually light anymore. Most petrol BMWs are just as heavy as some EVs....