Photo: Renault
Enjoying your Megane RS, the only hot hatch to give the Civic Type R a run for its money. Better treat it nicely, because Renault might not make another one.
To make an RS, you first need a regular Renault Megane. This is an average compact hatchback with good features, decent build quality, and fuel economy offered at an affordable price. But for some reason, customers aren't in love with the current generation.
We're currently mid-way through the life of the 4th Megane model, so you could say that it's a sort of cultural icon of the French carmaking business. However, sales are down to less than half of what they were 10 years ago.
It's not like Renault doesn't know what it's doing. The smaller Clio is one of the top performers in Europe. However, crossovers are undoubtedly taking over, while competition from rivals like the Golf or Focus is stronger than ever.
Speaking to Auto Express magazine, design chief of Renault Laurens van den Acker said the Megane might not be developed any further, allowing funds to be relocated to electric vehicles.
"Inevitably, once we’re starting to add a range of EVs to our line-up, some of the other vehicles are going to have to go because we just can’t afford to develop all of this at the same time," van den Acker explained. "The Megane is in a segment that’s increasingly under pressure. You have to put your money where the future of the market is."
The French compact just received its mid-life facelift that should last it until 2023. Last year, the Megane somehow managed the lackluster performance of selling only 2,700 units in the UK, which suggests it might be discontinued even before the end of the current generation.
Together with Nissan, Renault was one of the first automakers to offer a mass-market electric car. But if it doesn't act fast, the company could lose the lead to Volkswagen and its massive investments in the MEB platform.
We're currently mid-way through the life of the 4th Megane model, so you could say that it's a sort of cultural icon of the French carmaking business. However, sales are down to less than half of what they were 10 years ago.
It's not like Renault doesn't know what it's doing. The smaller Clio is one of the top performers in Europe. However, crossovers are undoubtedly taking over, while competition from rivals like the Golf or Focus is stronger than ever.
Speaking to Auto Express magazine, design chief of Renault Laurens van den Acker said the Megane might not be developed any further, allowing funds to be relocated to electric vehicles.
"Inevitably, once we’re starting to add a range of EVs to our line-up, some of the other vehicles are going to have to go because we just can’t afford to develop all of this at the same time," van den Acker explained. "The Megane is in a segment that’s increasingly under pressure. You have to put your money where the future of the market is."
The French compact just received its mid-life facelift that should last it until 2023. Last year, the Megane somehow managed the lackluster performance of selling only 2,700 units in the UK, which suggests it might be discontinued even before the end of the current generation.
Together with Nissan, Renault was one of the first automakers to offer a mass-market electric car. But if it doesn't act fast, the company could lose the lead to Volkswagen and its massive investments in the MEB platform.
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