Renault Megane e-tech: we got on board, here is everything you need to know

Transformed into an electric mobility show, the new German car fair welcomes some weight new features, including a French star: the Renault Mégane E-Tech, 100 % electric and animated by a sign system signed Google.

The shortage of semiconductors very seriously impacts the automotive industry and millions of vehicles could not be produced, up to 12 % of the world volume according to the estimates of certain specialized firms.But that does not prevent the world's news and first, all electrified and connected, to follow one another in the IAA Munich living room which replaces the Frankfurt Automobile Fair.

Here, one word: mobility in all its forms, cars, motorized two-wheelers and electric bikes, in individual or sharing modes.A new kind of event in the middle of a covid period and while passion for the automotive thing decreases and classic fairs have been losing speed for years.

A halftone lounge

In Munich, the organizers wanted to melt this event in the city, inviting the general public to navigate (in zero emission mode of course) between temporary installations on famous places in the center (Open Space) and the halls of the Parc des Expositions.

And the first impressions are those of a halftone event, on a very small scale compared to the fairs we have known.Size S stands, very wide aisles, quiet attendance while the Polizei forces are deployed to ensure the security of the Chancellor's visit, Angela Merkel, for whom it is the last inauguration of the genre.

Fortunately, the news is present and - Cocorico!-The Renault stand is one of those who hold the show with two stars under the spotlight: the brand new electric megane e-tech, launched in the spring of 2022, and the very cute concept of Renault 5, which will be translated as standard2024.

Megane e-tech: Google Inside

We have known it since last year, the next megane will be electric.And here is already the series version exposed on the brand of the brand at the diamond which lives its "renaulution".New logo, new CMF-EV Electure Shared (finally) with Nissan, new infotainment platform and therefore, new mega, without common parts with the compact petrol, diesel and hybrid sedan that we know on our roads.

Renault changes everything and it shows: the megane e-tech is more compact (4.21 m), well camped on huge 20-inch wheels and sporting limited glass surfaces.It forces the line and does not lack appearance.Despite its wheel arches and chests highlighted in black, do not call it SUV: Renault wants to describe it as a classic sedan, with gti sports genes, assures the group's owner, Luca de Meo.

Its dedicated platform makes it possible to use the interior space as well as possible with a large wheelbase of 2.70 m but for all that, the proposed space remains close to what we know in conventional compact sedans.It's a bit disappointing if we think of the Volkswagen ID.3.The trunk volume is more convincing, with a very dug double background which can accommodate a charging cable.But above all, it is its dashboard and its brand new interface which is one of its strengths.

Le nouveau système appelé OpenR est composé d’une dalle de 12,3″ pour l’instrumentation et 12″’ en vertical tourné vers le conducteur (9″’ en entrée de gamme) pour l’info-divertissement, totalisant une surface XXL en Full HD de 774 cm².A magnificent set with very neat graphics, without haptic return on the other hand, configurable with two widgets at the bottom of the screen, while the air conditioning controls remain physical, it is a safe bet ...

"We have designed this set as a real electronic object, with a glass slab and high quality," explains Marc Pinel-Peschardière, the Director Design Experience Vision, in other words Mr. IHM, in this position since 2001.Alone at his beginnings, he now directs a team of around twenty designers and reports to the patron of the group's design, Laurens Van den Acker.

"It is an open system that offers real continuity of use between the outside and its car, without rupture, Seamless," he adds.A fourth generation of info-directing systems now built on Android with Google Automotive Services.

Thus Google Maps (with Smart Route Planner to include the charging stations in a journey) and the Playstore are there, coupled of course with Google Assistant.Once its profile has been implemented, previous searches will automatically appear in the system, as using your smartphone.Android Auto and Apple Carplay remains possible but with such a system, there should not be needed.Software updates will be done at a distance as it should be.

Renault provides for a 4G subscription for the data necessary for the operation of the system, which is part of the new strategies of economic models of car manufacturers.We should be able to use your own data, however, to avoid paying.As for the hardware provided by Qualcomm (Snapdragon processor), it is oversized to anticipate the life of the car, with 128 GB of memory.

The latest on -board electronic equipment

On the driving aid side, the mega is capable of semi-autonomous driving by taking into account navigation information, slowing around a tight turn or a roundabout, like some German and soon, the DS 4For example.Good news, in assisted driving in traffic jams, the system will restart on its own after a stop up to 30 seconds (3 seconds today).An interior mirror by camera compensates for the very narrow view through the rear window.

The sound is entrusted to the French company Arkamys for the sound processor for entry levels, and to Harman Kardon at the top of the range, which makes its entry here at Renault.The light atmosphere automatically varies the color of its LEDs to follow the biological rhythm of the human body, according to 48 different shades.We can doubt his real repercussions, but the idea is pretty ...

Two engines and two batteries on the program

Regarding the technical sheet of the megane e-tech, the range is easily readable, with two battery powers and two engines.At the entry level associating the 130 hp engine and the 40 kWh battery, it aims for autonomy according to the WLTP standard of 300 km, with a recharge at 7 kW or 22 kW depending on the model.

The large 218 hp engine is associated with the 60 kWh battery capable of offering 470 km of autonomy.It is offered in charge AC 7 kW and DC 130 kW or AC 22 and DC 130.The fast load allows it to recover 300 km in 30 minutes.Business versions will also offer the fast load on the small engine.

To go further electric cars: what are the types of compatible sockets?

The Megane weighs 1.6 tonnes and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, which is almost a sports value, while its top speed is limited to 160 km/h.So much for the performance of this model which will be manufactured in France in the Douai factory, dedicated to electric at the heart of the Electricity pole.We look forward to trying this new entry to the heart of the market at the start of next year.