New Renault Megane E-Tech Electric previewed

Renault has released three teaser images overnight of the all-new 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric ahead of its unveiling later this year.

Heavily inspired by the 2020 Renault Megane eVision concept, the latest images are of the production model that will be launched in Europe in early 2022 and is expected to arrive in Australia later next year.

The image of the rear-end design of the Megane E-Tech reveals the Captur-sized SUV will feature complex LED tail-lights and a full-width light bar that look near identical to the concept.

Sitting in pride of place is Renault's all-new diamond-shaped logo that's been designed to pay tribute to the past.

The other two glimpses of the next-gen pure-electric rival to the Volkswagen ID.4 and a slew of other new EVs partially reveals the Megane E-Tech's cabin.

Claimed to borrow cues from the Renault Trezor concept, the EV's new interior is said to feature an L-shaped infotainment system that seamlessly blends a large portrait-mounted screen with a traditional landscape-oriented digital instrument cluster.

Without a traditional drivetrain, the advanced platform and flat floor allows the Megane E-Tech to offer plenty of space and a low storage area beneath the screens where a transmission tunnel would normally reside.

According to Renault, the high-quality screens and premium materials used within, plus its innovative design, will be rolled out to all future models.

When the reinvented Renault Megane E-Tech arrives it will be the first to use the car-maker’s all-new CMF-EV architecture that was developed within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

The new dedicated platform for battery-powered vehicles allows Renault to introduce its state-of-the-art pure-electric technology.

This includes an ultra-thin 60kWh underfloor battery that, along with a small electric motor, has enabled Renault to rethink the interior design for the next-gen Megane.

Despite its small dimensions, the front-mounted single electric motor punches out a healthy 160kW of power and 300Nm of torque, hauling the front-wheel drive Renault SUV to 100km/h from standstill in less than 8.0 seconds.

Top speed is expected to be 180km/h, while the Megane E-Tech should be capable of covering up to a WLTP-verified 450km between recharges.

Sports variants, which could be badged 'Renaultsport', are set to get a dual-motor set-up with 290kW and 600Nm, borrowing from the closely related Nissan Ariya that sits on the same platform.

If so, the small Renault could boast a 0-100km/h time of less than 5.5 seconds.

Bigger batteries are also in the pipeline. With the expected powerful 90kWh lithium-ion cells in place, top-spec versions of the Megane E-Tech could have a range of more than 610km.

Cutting recharging times, the original Megane eVision concept introduced new technology that allows DC rapid-charging at up to 130kW.

The French brand hasn’t specified how long it takes to top up the battery pack, but the 130kW rate surpasses the 125kW level the range-topping Volkswagen ID.3 musters.

Plugged into an AC charging unit, the Renault can handle 22kW.

Size-wise, at 4210mm long, 1800mm wide and 1505mm tall, the Megane eVision is closer to the Captur SUV rather than the current Megane hatch or wagon.

This should ensure it doesn’t compete directly with the bigger Nissan Ariya.

The all-new electric Renault SUV is expected to be priced around $60,000 when it reaches the market, selling alongside the current combustion-powered Megane hatch.

Still not officially confirmed for a launch Down Under, late last year Renault Australia confirmed to carsales that the company is “very excited by the [Megane eVision] concept and look forward to the production version”.