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2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric Unveiled, Offers 470-Km Driving Range

Introduced in 1995 as the replacement for the Renault 19, the Megane is a segment-leading compact with millions of sales under its belt. Last redesigned from the ground up in 2016, the Megane is making a huge leap forward with the E-Tech Electric from the IAA 2021.
2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric hatchback 20 photos
Photo: Renault
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Underpinned by the CMF-EV platform of the Nissan Ariya, this fellow features a battery that’s only 110 millimeters tall. 40 percent smaller compared to the Zoe, this battery is “the thinnest on the market” right now.

Developed in collaboration with LG, the lithium-ion NMC cells feature more nickel and less cobalt for greater energy density. Two capacities are offered in the first instance: 40 kWh for a maximum driving range of 300 kilometers or 186 miles, and 60 kWh for up to 470 kilometers or 292 miles.

In terms of propulsion, the EESM-type motor is mounted up front and weighs 145 kilograms (320 pounds) including the clutch. 10 percent lighter compared to the Zoe, this electric motor is available in two states of tune: 130 PS and 250 Nm (make that 128 horsepower and 184 pound-feet) or 218 PS and 300 Nm (215 horsepower and 221 pound-feet). The latter is capable of shooting to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in 7.4 seconds.

No fewer than four regenerating braking levels can be selected with the help of tab switches located behind the steering wheel. Renault developed the Megane E-Tech Electric for cold-weather climates too, which is why a heat pump complements the system for managing energy lost by the batteries and powertrain. This system reuses the lost energy to heat up the cockpit, a feature that’s made possible by the liquid-cooled batteries and powertrain.

Compatible with single- and triple-phase AC charging from 2.3 to 22 kilowatts, the Megane E-Tech Electric can sustain 130 kilowatts on direct current. As much as 300 kilometers (186 miles) of WLTP driving range can be recovered in half an hour from a 130-kilowatt DC fast-charging station.

From a stylistic point, Renault mentions crossover influences without describing this vehicle as a crossover. It’s a hatchback, through and through, according to the French automaker. The interior is a huge step up on the combustion-engined Megane although the bezels of the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster may not be to everyone’s liking.

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 Download: 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric press release (PDF)

About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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