2023 Renault Megane E-Tech: Australian pricing and specs
All-new small French electric SUV to arrive here later – but cheaper – than expectedThe 2023 Renault Megane E-Tech will become available Down Under from late this year, priced from $64,990 plus on-road costs.
That means the French brand’s all-new small electric SUV – the battery-powered replacement for Renault’s long-running fourth-generation Megane hatch – will arrive here later than expected but with a lower price tag than previously advised.
With a sub-$65K list price, the Megane E-Tech undercuts larger EV rivals like the top-selling Tesla Model Y (from $69,300 plus ORCs), Polestar 2 ($67,400), Hyundai IONIQ 5 ($72,000), Kia EV6 ($72,590) and luxury medium e-SUVs from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Genesis and Lexus.
Measuring 4200mm long, it will also be cheaper than small electric SUVs from Volvo (Pure Electric XC40 and C40, priced at $74K and $76K respectively), but not mainstream small electric SUVs like the BYD Atto 3 (from $48,011 plus ORCs), MG ZS EV ($44,990 drive-away) and the outgoing Hyundai Kona Electric ($54,500).
Renault Australia boss Glenn Sealey told carsales back in February he was targeting an October release date and “a price around the mid-to-low $70,000s” for the Megane E-Tech, which is being offered here in just one guise.
That singular form is specifically referred to as the 2023 Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 and it comes with a generous amount of standard equipment in conjunction with its single-motor EV powertrain driving the front wheels.
Rolling on 20-inch alloys, the E-Tech EV60 features fully adaptive LED headlights and dynamic indicators, recycled cloth and leatherette interior trim, manually adjustable seats with electric lumbar adjust, 48-colour ambient lighting, a 9.0-inch infotainment interface, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging and a six-speaker Arkamys auditorium audio system.
Other features include a hands-free keycard with keyless entry and ‘walk-away’ locking, four driving modes, a smart rear-view mirror, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera and parking sensors all round.
Active safety features meantime includes autonomous emergency braking with junction assist and pedestrian/cyclist detection, driver drowsiness alert, emergency lane keeping assist with oncoming traffic and road-edge detection, speed-limiter, blind spot recognition and intervention, rear cross traffic alert and reverse AEB.
The whole package is powered by a solitary electric motor developing 160kW/300Nm and drawing current from a 60kWh lithium-ion battery, giving the Megane E-Tech EV60 an effective driving range of up to 454km.
Fast-charging capabilities are rated at up to 130kW when using DC power, something Renault says will take the battery from 15 to 80 per cent – equating to 300km of range – in 30 minutes.
While it’s not a high-performance EV, with claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.4 seconds, the E-Tech EV60’s motor will power the upcoming Alpina A290 hot hatch, which can be seen as an all-electric successor to the old Renault Clio RS.
Boot space is rated at 440 litres behind the rear seats and can be expanded to 1332L when the split/folding second row is stowed.
Eagerly awaiting the model’s local arrival, Sealey said the Megane E-Tech would be a “game-changer” in Australia.
“This is Renaulution in action: dynamic proportions, an engaging and efficient drive, impressive levels of comfort and safety, and committed actions to a sustainable future,” he said.
“We can’t wait to bring Megane E-Tech to Australia and herald a new dawn in automotive leadership.”
The EV will be covered by a five-year/100,000km warranty (not Renault Australia’s five-year/unlimited-km warranty for cars or its five-year/200,000km limit for commercials), while the battery will be covered for eight years or 160,000km – whichever comes first.
While just one variant will be offered from launch, federal homologation data shows two versions have been approved for sale Down Under, meaning another variant could be added later to either crest the range or bolster it at a lower price point.
Renault Australia’s first E-Tech model will be followed by the small Kangoo E-Tech and large Master E-Tech commercial vans by the end of 2024.
How much does the 2023 Renault Megane E-Tech cost?
EV60 – $64,990
*Price excludes on-road costs
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