New Renault Megane: hybrid option part of facelift updates

Renault's Ford Focus rival will receive new tech and styling revisions alongside first petrol-electric 'E-tech' variant

Renault will renew its fight with the recently-launched Ford Focus later this year by revealing a facelifted version of the Megane, with a hybrid option due as part of the updates.  

The family hatchback and estate range has been on sale since 2016, and a mid-life makeover is imminent as a follow-up to the Kadjar SUV facelift late last year. Expect to see the new Megane at September’s Frankfurt motor show before it arrives at dealerships in early 2020.

Like the mechanically-related Kadjar, expect a subtle design evolution for the updated Megane. The front end bears the most disguise, suggesting alterations to the grille, headlights and bumper. At the rear, a reshaped tailgate and LED lighting profile will help to foster the familiar resemblance with the new Clio.

Something else shared with the Clio, and a first for the Megane in any guise, will be a new hybridised variant. Launching in 2020, it will form a crucial part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance’s Drive the Future plan, which is targeting 20 electrified Renaults to hit the market by 2022.

A spokesperson wouldn’t be drawn on specifics, but the Megane is likely to adopt a similar petrol-electric system to the Clio. Dubbed E-tech, it makes use of an 89bhp petrol engine in the smaller car, mated to a 40bhp electric motor and a 1.2kWh battery alongside regenerative braking tech. Rental claims it allows the Clio to “drive like an EV” and be 70% electrically powered in town. Expect a larger combustion engine for the Megane, however. 

Also possible is a full plug-in hybrid version with a larger battery, similar to that due to be launched on the next Captur SUV. That should allow an electric-only range of 25-30 miles, though as more governments reduce list price incentives for low-range plug-ins across Europe it’s not clear which type of hybrid is a priority. 

The hybrid will sit alongside a familiar range of petrol and diesel engines, including the new 1.0 and 1.3-litre turbocharged units found in everything from the new Clio to (in 1.3-litre form) the Mercedes A-Class. 

Alongside the powertrain additions, expect a slicker interior with higher-grade materials, improved infotainment and new digital dials, alongside an improved suite of driver assist features. 

Read more:

All-new Renault Clio is firm's most advanced supermini yet

Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi promise "new start" to Alliance

Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy 2019 review

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BTCC 2018: Neal wins Diamond Double at Snetterton

Image
Neal clinched victory in the extended Diamond Double race Jack Goff stars in qualifying and race one, while veteran Neal clinches glory in double-length finale Triple British Touring Car champion Matt Neal clinched victory in the special extended Diamond Double race at Snetterton, held to mark the 60th anniversary of the series in his Honda Civic Type R . Rising stars Jack Goff and Ashley Sutton also took race wins at the Norfolk track. Instead of the usual reverse-grid finale, the third race at Snetterton was extended from 12 laps to 20, with double championship points on offer and no success ballast. The race also featured its own separate qualifying session. Picture special: 60 years of the BTCC That was good news for Eurotech driver Goff, who went fastest in both qualifying sessions to claim two pole positions in his Civic Type R. He made the first one count, pulling out a big lead in treacherous wet conditions.  The young guns of the BTCC Behind Goff, reigning champ...
Read more

Top 10 Autocar galleries of 2017

Image
Autocar's vast selection of galleries celebrate everything from the most beautiful cars of all time to the cars that have been forgotten. We run down Autocar readers' favourite car-themed galleries from the year Everyone loves a gallery of shiny images to scroll through, and Autocar readers are no different.  This year, we've published more galleries than ever for our lovely audience, covering everything from the weird and wonderful to the world's most beautiful cars . Take a look at our wider selection here , and scroll down for the top 10 of the year.  Autocar’s ten most popular galleries of 2017  10. In pictures: the greatest Toyotas ever made Exactly what it says on the tin. Toyota  is one of the world’s largest car makers, but aside from landmark cars like the Supra and 2000GT , it's easy to forget many cars in the brand’s history. We take you through Toyota’s greatest hits, from its first smashes to its latest greats.  9....
Read more