Renault Megane 2020, update across numerous sections and new E-Tech plug-in hybrid version

The current generation of the Renault Megane is roughly halfway through its life cycle and, as is customary with virtually all brands, the French manufacturer is in a position to introduce an update to its popular model that will be applied across numerous areas, in addition to introducing the Megane to the plug-in hybrid world with the new E-Tech version.

Despite being an update, it includes several changes, beginning with the exterior, where the design language the brand has been using in its latest presentations has been applied to its look, with a new bumper and a new grille, along with a new lower grille and a chrome detail from the third trim level onwards. An important novelty is that now, even in the base trim, the LED Pure Vision front lighting is fitted as standard, and the rear light cluster will also be fully LED.

Continuing at the front, a chrome trim has been installed in the frame of the fog lights, and new air deflectors have been fitted at the front of the wheel arches to improve aerodynamics. From the sides, we will also see how the image has changed thanks to new sills with a more powerful look, as well as new wheel designs in sizes from 16 to 18 inches, and lighting in the door handles. To finish, the colour palette of the new Renault Megane is expanded to 10 shades, as the new Cuivre Solaire, Gris Baltique and Gris Highland colours have been included.

Moving on to the interior, in the new Renault Megane we will find an environment that will provide a sense of greater quality and comfort, thanks to upholstery with a new covering from the second trim level onwards, as well as electric adjustment for the driver’s seat depending on the version, or the new frameless electrochromic rear-view mirror from the third trim level. On the centre console, the climate controls now have a more refined and carefully finished look and, on the steering wheel, we will now have all the driver assistance buttons, which have also been updated.

Other important novelties will be the introduction, for the first time on this model, of a 10.2-inch screen for the infotainment system, accompanied by a new 9.3-inch screen for the dashboard, which can also display the navigation map to improve attention on the road, connectivity via Renault EASY LINK, and MULTI-SENSE settings.

New R.S. Line trim

All these aesthetic changes also apply to the sportier Megane R.S. and Megane R.S. Trophy versions, but as a novelty the new Megane introduces the new R.S. Line trim, inspired by the two Renault Sport models, a trim that, incidentally, replaces the currently available GT Line trim. Although we will not have the engines of the two most powerful Megane models, with the R.S. Line trim we will find a look that stands out from the rest of the range thanks to a sporty aesthetic both inside and out.

Its exterior styling is clearly inspired by the two Renault Sport versions, using a honeycomb-pattern grille together with the F1 blade that is the hallmark of the R.S. models and, specifically, 17-inch Monthlery wheels and 18-inch Magny-Cours wheels. To finish the exterior, new exhaust outlets have been fitted at the rear, which will be chrome on the Sport Tourer body.

The interior also sees changes which, like the exterior, aim to add a greater sporty character to the new Renault Megane. To this end, the front seats become the Sport version with reinforced lateral support, inserts in carbon-fibre-look trim have been included, a sports steering wheel upholstered in perforated leather with the R.S. double diamond is fitted, and it is finished with aluminium pedals. The icing on the cake, as a contrast, is the red and grey stitching and piping for the seats and gear lever.

The E-Tech plug-in hybrid engine is introduced

In terms of mechanicals, we first find the traditional combustion engines. For those who opt for petrol, there is the 1.3 TCe engine, available in several power outputs: the 100 CV and 115 CV versions are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox; the 140 CV version comes with the same manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; and the top variant is the 160 CV, paired only with the automatic gearbox described above. Later on, at the end of the year, the 1.0 TCe engine producing 120 CV will be added, offering lower consumption and emissions.

Those who decide to opt for a diesel engine will not have as much choice, but they can still do so thanks to the 1.5 Blue dCi engine, which will be available with 90 CV and a six-speed manual gearbox or, alternatively, with 115 CV, which can be chosen with the manual gearbox or with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

But the big novelty is the new Megane E-Tech, a plug-in hybrid variant in which Renault F1 Team has applied its competition experience in energy recovery and management. In this model we find a four-cylinder 1,600 cc petrol engine, which is combined with two electric motors and a clutchless multimode gearbox that together deliver a total system power of 160 CV.

The hybrid system uses a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which allows the Renault Megane E-Tech to travel up to 50 kilometres in combined cycle in fully electric mode, along with a top speed of 135 km/h, while in urban cycle the electric range increases to 65 kilometres, according to the WLTP test cycle figures. As for emissions, still pending assessment, they are expected to be below 40 g/km.

As for the prices of the new Renault Megane, we will have to wait a little longer, as its market launch will not take place until next summer.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackRenault Megane3 versions · from 39,650 €