Renault Megane E-Tech Electrical Evaluation — 1st Impressions

Renault doesn’t want an introduction. It began working in the direction of electrical mobility in earnest over 20 years in the past. Yep, that’s earlier than Tesla was based. On the gatherings of the Earth’s mighty, just like the well-known one in Davos, its CEO was introduced as “Mister EV.” Its Zoe mannequin was one of the best promoting BEV in Europe, with simply over 100,000 automobiles delivered in 2020.

Alas, these glory days are over. New administration has tried to go the best way of PHEVs on the similar time that the market is saying goodbye to this expertise. They’re dabbling in hydrogen gas cell expertise as a potential different for battery electrics. The one a part of transport the place there’s a theoretical area of interest for HFCEV powertrains, heavy trucking, was way back offered to Volvo.

The successor for the getting old Zoe is predicted in 2024, a retro mannequin that hopefully will obtain a form reception in Renault’s homeland of France. The Twingo ZE is a fun-to-drive little metropolis automobile. It suffers from a battery that’s too small and no DC quick charging, making it solely match for city use. Upgrading it with a much bigger battery and bettery charging system from cousin Dacia Spring may double or triple gross sales.

Table of Contents

Start of the BEV

Renault Megane E-Tech going to cost at a Fastned station. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault and Alliance companions Nissan and Mitsubishi developed a brand new devoted battery electrical car (BEV) platform for the C-/D-segment. This CMF-EV modular toolkit is predicted to be the platform for not less than 15 fashions the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance is bringing to market later on this decade. The primary two fashions are the Renault Megane E-Tech totally electrical and Nissan Ariya.

Renault did name its hybrid and plug-in hybrid fashions E-Tech fashions and the totally electrical fashions Z.E. or Zero Emission fashions. Now the moniker E-Tech is used for all “electrified” fashions. It’s a method of complicated the purchasers. It’s in all probability from a advertising drone pondering it will possibly promote one model on the repute of one other model, not realizing that individuals wish to know what they’re shopping for, and that complicated your prospects is rarely good for gross sales.

The CMF-EV toolkit accommodates two battery modules, one with a 63kWh battery and one with a 87kWh battery. These are the batteries you’ll find within the Ariya. The Renault advertising whizz-kids determined that for Europe, batteries of 40kWh and 60kWh could be ok.

They even had the intense thought of providing the 40kWh model with out DC quick charging. This configuration was not welcome in most (all?) international locations.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

The Renault engineers have demonstrated that they do know what it’s to construct an electrical car. On many elements, they labored along with the Renault F1 staff. Evidently all the things that was not underneath management of the advertising division is great.

It was second in final yr’s European Automotive of the Yr competitors, proper between the Kia and Hyundai new fashions. It scored on all of the metrics that old style automobile journalists worth. The general public is much less impressed by it. The small battery and weak motor usually are not what individuals search for in C-segment automobiles. Many rivals have batteries which might be 40%+ greater.

Specs:

Battery — 40/60kWh, with about 158/208 miles of vary.
Motor — 96/160kW and 250/300Nm, front-wheel drive.
Charging — 90/150kW DC and 22kW AC.
Security — Euro NCAP ***** (5 stars)
Size * Width * Peak — 165.4” * 73.2” * 59.3”

There may be some confusion concerning the measurement of the battery. There’s a nominal and a usable measurement with most batteries. The distinction is usually 5% to 10%. Renault makes use of the identical quantity for each. EV-Database thinks it’s 55kWh for the larger battery. If the Megane is as environment friendly as claimed, the battery measurement is 55kWh.

Adaptive cruise management, prolonged parking help, and a warmth pump are all choices, some solely accessible on the upper trim ranges. Many of the competitors have some or all of those as customary, not less than within the greater trim ranges.

Driving Machine

It’s a driver’s automobile. That’s what the critics agree on. The affect of the F1 specialists and the selection to go for a automobile as shut as potential to an ICE automobile ends in a lightweight and easy-to-drive automobile. However it sacrifices vary.

Renault Megane E-Tech infotainment, steering wheel, and entrance sprint. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Getting used to my Zoe, the 10-year-older, but smaller, sister of the Megane, I didn’t discover a lot distinction in driving expertise. That’s unhappy.

In my driving type, the burden of the automobile isn’t essential, the suppleness is. The Mercedes EQS and the Volvo C40 had been clearly higher driving machines, as was the MG5. However then once more, I’m not a automobile journalist. Driving automobiles is simply not thrilling to me. Relaxed touring is what I like.

Driving bikes — now, that’s completely different. On two wheels, going by way of a nook, using alongside a river dyke with out a straight stretch longer than 10 meters — that’s enjoyable. That’s like dancing on two wheels. It’s important to discover the rhythm that’s proper for the street and your pace. However alas, I’m too outdated for that sort of enjoyable.

Infotainment & Driving Help

Renault Megane E-Tech infotainment. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault and Nissan had been each growing their very own infotainment and driving help programs. Merging two completely different programs is concerning the worst you are able to do in IT improvement. Discarding one and selecting the opposite was a non-starter after the civil warfare between the events. There may be now an armistice, and peace appears to be like attainable.

They did the wise factor, discarding each programs and continuing with a ready-made system from a software program firm. Google was the fortunate one chosen to promote its suite of automotive programs to the Alliance. That makes my evaluate of the infotainment system very simple. Most individuals know extra about Google performance than I do.

The driving help programs are high notch. However you must pay additional for them. It’s important to spend not less than €3,000 on high of the checklist value. For a pleasant colour or flashy rims, €5,000 is in sight.

Usability

Renault Megane E-Tech seat controls. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

As one of many authentic pioneers of electrical driving, Renault didn’t must look to Tesla. It had its personal expertise and excellent relations with a number of seasoned automobile journalists. However these journalists don’t criticize the hand that feeds them. When Tesla confirmed its Mannequin 3 to the general public, the general public was present and future Tesla drivers. Earlier than the evening was over, it was clear that the trunk was not simply accessible. The promise to proper this incorrect was made inside just a few days. The trunk of the Megane is just virtually accessible for weight lifters. The brink is just too excessive. Older individuals and smaller females could have bother getting their groceries or baggage out and in.

Don’t attempt to go on vacation with this automobile. It doesn’t have the vary it wants. Even with the quick charging, it will likely be hopping from charging station to charging station. Its effectivity is by advantage of its low mass. Totally loaded, you lose that benefit, however you’re caught with the tiny battery.

When attempting to make a completely electrical car that is rather like a fossil gas car, there may be the chance of ending up with the worst of each worlds. Renault ought to neglect about its F1 experience, and the enjoyment of driving an Alpine two-seat sports activities automobile. Cease listening to journalists that drive for enjoyable. Most prospects are in search of a spot to outlive just a few hours of each day visitors jams and attain a trip vacation spot with out the children killing one another.

Renault Megane E-Tech backseats. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

I used to be one of many first to drive the unique Megane Scénic. I’ve had three of them. I cherished my Twingo, similar to my spouse cherished hers and my parents-in-law cherished theirs. I’m nonetheless glad to drive my Zoe (the three-year anniversary was two days in the past) and anticipate to take action for an additional two years. I’m not a whole Renaultofile (Renault lover), however I prefer it much more than BMW, Audi, or Toyota. Simply to call just a few uninteresting manufacturers.

I actually don’t perceive what Renault is doing for the time being. The gross sales numbers and market alerts ought to be a really robust incentive to vary the present coverage of pleasing journalists and regulators however ignoring prospects.

Listed below are some extra pictures of the Renault Megane E-Tech:

Renault Megane E-Tech air con vents and USB-C ports. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech backseat. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech trunk. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech charging twine in trunk. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech information sheet. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech going to cost at a Fastned station. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech charging at a Fastned station. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech entrance seats. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Renault Megane E-Tech entrance door. Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

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