It was benchmarked against the Volkswagen ID.
Since 1995, Renault has used the “Megane nameplate on almost every type of vehicle: sedan, coupe, convertible and minivan (Scenic). Although it might be difficult to identify the former, the Arkana coupe/SUV can be found in certain markets as the Megane Conquest. This is due to the negative connotations of the Serbian historical war criminal Arkan. .
It’s nearly time for another Megane body style. This time, it will be an all-electric compact crossover that serves as a sister model to the Nissan Ariya. The Megane will be revealed at the IAA Munich show next month in Germany. In the meantime, an almost-production prototype was captured undergoing final testing. The MeganE was tested in southern Europe and was being compared to the Volkswagen ID.4, which is one of its main competitors.
The EV from Wolfsburg is visible behind the Renault zero-emissions crossover. It has a much sharper design and appears less bulbous than its ID. It could be described as a larger hatchback than a true crossover. This is similar to how the Hyundai Infinitiq 5 was described.
The Megane first showed the new MeganE in October 2020. Since then, the car has evolved into a preproduction car as indicated by the white sticker at base of A-pillars. White lettering on the front of the MeganE’s prototype also indicates that it had a 60-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor to match the concept.
The MeganE’s short front and rear overhangs indicate a dedicated EV platform. Much like the new generation of electric vehicles, it has electronic pop-out doors handles that improve aerodynamics and efficiency. The updated diamond logo is proudly displayed on the pre-production vehicle. It’s quite large at its front flanked by slim headlights that have separate daytime running lamps with a unique shape.
The MeganE’s rear disc brakes are visible, but we cannot say the same about the ID.4 or its Skoda Enyaq siblings. All three have drum brakes at their backs. Renault’s newest ICEless vehicle is supported by the CMF EV platform. It rides on large wheels and conceals the rear door handles under the quarter glass.
The rear window of a compact electric crossover is small because the roofline slopes towards the rear, where it meets a spoiler. The button to open and close the tailgate is located below the “Megane”, logo. It appears to be derived from the Megane sedan, which was both gasoline- and diesel-powered. A full LED light bar runs across the tailgate, meeting the main taillights as with other vehicles.
Although our spy team was not able to see inside, previous Renault teasers showed a significant change from the Megane models. The interior will feature two digital displays side-by-side, with the infotainment touchscreen being lower than on the “floating” central console.
Renault has placed a row of buttons below the large display. This allows for quick access to many functions. Below that stack of controls, a wireless charging pad will be located. The bottom level will contain a storage area as well as cup holders. The MeganE will have LED ambient lighting, and the same fake continuous air vent design as VW models.
The official unveiling of the Renault MeganE is expected to take place in the next few days. It will be available in Europe by 2022.