How is the electric car that marks the beginning of an era?

It is difficult not to marvel at seeing the new Renault Megane on some Argentine street. The thing is that this model with unprecedented shapes does not have another name. In the 90s and at the beginning of this century, it was a very popular car that was manufactured in our country and, like so many other products of the French brand, it was the official vehicle of thousands of families.

But this Megane not only stands out for being a 100% electric model, but it also looks nothing like any other Renault currently sold in Argentina. Even the emblem, except for its rhombus shape, is different.

This has several explanations, but the main one is that the new generation of this medium It is a starting point for the French branda new style reference and the technological beacon that will illuminate other models of the brand in the near future.

Another important detail that makes this jump even bigger is that the regional reference of recent years is even different from what exists in Europe. The brand is starting a range change whose next launches should bring the local offer closer to what this Megane proposes.

It also represents a continuity of the commitment to electromobility that Renault has had in Argentina since 2018 and which last year announced its expansion, with the arrival of the Kwid, now the Megane and, shortly, the new generation of Kangoo.

First of all, it must be clarified that this electric vehicle will not have the popularity that the Megane had in our market. A car that uses electricity to move is still very expensiveeven more so in Argentina where taxes on an imported model can exceed 70%.

This medium can deceive with its lines. Its measurements are those of a compact model but its shapes are very innovative. The high beltline can make us think that we are looking at an SUV or a crossover, perhaps due to its reduced glass surface. However, Its proportions are those of a conventional medium.

It has a body painted in two colors and the large wheels (but proportionally thin to improve efficiency) give it a good stance. Clean, harmonious and smooth surfaces are favored by “hidden” door handles: the front ones emerge every time “the key” approaches the car and the rear ones are camouflaged behind the rear windows.

This Megane is built on a platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles (it shares it with the Nissan Ariya, for example). It has work focused on weight reduction to improve its efficiency. Except for the roof and tailgate (which is made of plastic), the rest of the body is aluminum and its battery is comparatively light compared to those of other electric cars. This allows it to achieve a weight of 1,711 kilos, relatively low for a battery-powered car.

And therein lies part of the virtues of this model, which does not use large and heavy batteries to provide good autonomy. With a capacity of 60 kWh, it claims a range of 450 kilometers.

As with any electric vehicle, this homologation figure is impossible to achieve in normal daily use, but we have obtained a not inconsiderable figure close to 400 km, in a use that combined city and highway sections.

It comes equipped with a motor 220 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. The reactions are those expected from an electric car at low and medium speeds. Although the answers may be very different depending on the driving mode chosen.

In total it offers four options: ECO, with mild reactions; Sport, with energetic responses, somewhat abrupt at times; and Comfort, which is the most recommended for everyday use due to the balance between reaction and smoothness of ride. The fourth option allows different parameters to be configured at the driver’s discretion.

Also offers four levels of retention to recover energy in deceleration phases. This selection is made from the paddles behind the steering wheel, as if they were those of a gear selector: the one on the left increases the retention and the one on the right reduces it.

This intervention can be key to making driving more efficient, in addition to providing another activity to make driving a little more entertaining. With the highest retention selected, the braking level is intense, but does not completely stop the vehicle, so you have to use the brake pedal if you want to stop the vehicle.

In short, it is a very comfortable model to handle but with great agility. The steering has little reduction, that is to say that You don’t have to turn the steering wheel a lot to “turn a lot”.

The suspension scheme is rather firm but the high tires chosen by Renault (195/60) contribute to ride comfort despite the fact that, in general, the running gear follows the road quite a bit.

Dynamically it is a car that makes you want to drive. Its low center of gravity gives it a quick turn when cornering and body roll is not great. Only in certain conditions, on wet cobblestones and with high acceleration, for example, is there a limitation in transmitting power to the ground and the driving assistants appear quickly to prevent skidding.

The interior also imposes a style totally unknown to any Renault user. There is a great combination of textures and colors, with coatings and plastics coming from 100% recycled materials. According to Renault, 95% of the car can be recycled at the end of its useful life. Despite its modernity, it includes physical commands that improve the user experience. The interior space is according to its size.

The driving position is comfortable, with multiple seat adjustments (only the lumbar adjustment is electric) and steering column. The steering wheel is as if it were a square with rounded corners, if that figure is allowed. Although on some occasions the right elbow may collide with the center armrest.

Rear visibility is very low, due to a small rear window that contributes to the low glass surface proposed by the car’s design. And Renault sought to solve it with a rear camera that transmits to the rearview mirror, but the attempt fails since the image is very enlarged and only the vertical angle or brightness can be adjusted, not the viewing aperture. In short, it is like having the same low visibility but in a different way.

The arrival of this Megane coincides with the beginning of a new era for Renault in the region. And although this medium is not going to be among the best sellers, it is a good way to anticipate what is to come.

Wheelbase 2,685 mm

Acceleration 0-100 km/h 7.4 seconds

Maximum speed 160 km/h (limited)

Front side airbags

Driver knee airbag

adaptive cruise control

Autonomous emergency brake

Lane keeping system

Tire pressure monitor

Hill Start Assist

Rearview mirror with camera

Wireless cell phone charger

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay