Renault Megane eVision previews all-new electric SUV

The sleek new Renault Megane eVision concept revealed overnight is a near-production pure-electric SUV the French car-maker will introduce in 2021 to challenge the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4.

Picking up where the Morphoz concept left off in March earlier this year, not only does the eVision reveal Renault's plans for the 25-year Megane nameplate, it also signposts the striking new design its future EVs will possess.

Europe and the UK will be the first markets to receive the all-electric Megane SUV, but Renault Australia has confirmed to carsales that the company is "very excited by the concept and look forward to the production version".

It will not be coming here in 2021, however the local subsidiary is hopeful of a 2022 launch Down Under.

The reinvented Megane will be the first Renault 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 compact electric motor, has enabled designers to maximise interior space 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, and is enough to haul the front-wheel drive Renault SUV to 100km/h from standstill in less than 8.0 seconds.

Top speed and range have not been disclosed, but it's understood the electric Megane eVision will be capable of covering up to 440km between recharges.

Once it's launched in 2021, quicker dual-motor versions of the pure-electric Renault SUV will also be available that should match the closely-related Nissan Ariya's 290kW/600Nm.

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, and with the expected powerful 90kWh lithium-ion cells in place, the production Megane eVision should have a range of more than 610km.

Cutting recharging times, the Megane eVision introduces new technology that allows DC rapid charging at up to 130kW. The French brand hasn't released how long it takes to top up the battery pack, but the 130kW rate surpasses the 125kW level the range-topping VW 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 new Megane eVision is closer to the Captur SUV rather than the current hatch or wagon.

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

Due to go on sale next year, the all-new electric Renault SUV is expected to be priced around $60,000.

Renault recently dropped the slow-selling Renault ZOE from its line-up in Australia, but the company’s new strategy that concentrates heavily on SUVs will see the local distributor pushing the case for the all-new EV to be sold here ASAP.