Renault unveils new Megane with more tech than ever

RENAULT has unveiled the latest facelift for its Megane range which has been streamlined and updated across the board, including more power for the rapid RS variants and an all-new hybrid powertrain.

Starting at the top of the tree, just two versions will comprise the new RS line-up, those being the standard RS and the RS Trophy, both of which will share the ballistic 220kW/420Nm version of Renault’s 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine carried over from the current RS 300 Trophy.

The extra 15kW and 30Nm puts the RS right back in contention with the soon-to-be-replaced VW Golf R, as well as the new BMW M135i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG A35.

Unlike its rivals however, all 220kW and 420Nm are fed to the road through the front wheels only via the familiar seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission – a six-speed manual is also available but torque drops to 400Nm.

The standard RS will come with Renault’s new Sport 4Control chassis while the RS Trophy steps things up with the latest version of the famous Cup chassis, a mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential and firmer suspension set-up courtesy of 25 per cent stiffer shock absorbers and 30 per cent stiffer springs.

Both RS variants will also come with an updated RS display monitor to access various vehicle parameters in real time.

Replacing the current GT-Line a step below the flagships is the RS-Line which brings new styling front and rear as well as an updated, more sports-orientated cabin, but no mechanical changes.

Arguably the biggest news from the update is the announcement of the new Megane E-Tech Plug-in which follows in the footsteps of the Clio and Captur E-Tech Plug-ins announced early last month.

Just like its smaller and SUV counterparts, the Megane E-Tech Plug-in will use a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine coupled to a pair of electric motors to produce a combined 119kW.

Being a PHEV, the Megane will use Renault’s bigger 9.8kWh battery and can be driven at up to 135kmh in all-electric mode.

Given it is the same system as the one used in the smaller models, regenerative braking is also included in the package with the E-Tech Plug-in powertrain to be available only in the Megane Estate at launch before it is “later” offered in the hatchback.

General updates across the board and on the standard models include a new, bigger (9.2-inch) multimedia screen projecting the latest version of the Renault EASY LINK multimedia system, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and revised Pure Vision LED headlights.

Safety has also taken a step up with the addition of new driver aids including the Motorway and Traffic Assistant, a level two autonomous system.

While local pricing and exactly availability are yet to be confirmed, Renault Australia has confirmed the RS will be headed Down Under with production of the Australian cars scheduled to start towards the end of the year.

“For the rest of the range and the e-tech, we are currently reviewing the case but don’t have anything to confirm on it for now,” Renault Australia corporate communications manager Alison Alison van den Dungen told GoAuto.

“It is too early to confirm the launch date and start of sale for the new Megane RS in Australia but we will of course let you all know when we have this finalised.”

Last year Renault shifted just 39 Meganes – either GT-line or GT – but a much healthier 368 Megane RS units, accounting for 4.8 per cent of the sub-$80,000 sportscar segment.