Renault Megane Grandtour E-Tech - a versatile e-estate
The French at Renault are enjoying the success of the electric Zoe, which I wrote about here. With the wind in their sails, they have unveiled electrified versions of the Clio, Captur and Megane, all of which carry the E-Tech suffix in their names. I had a rare opportunity to test the Megane hybrid. Why rare? It was the first time I had tested a traditional estate with a drivetrain that is still unusual, because it is half electric.
Fitted with the new E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, the New Megane Grandtour combines the best of 2 worlds. Around town you can use the electric mode, and on weekend breaks or holiday trips the combustion mode, while enjoying a spacious cabin and a roomy load area behind the rear seats.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine, backed by electric technology, is remarkably versatile. In everyday use the 11kWh battery allows you to cover up to 65 km in zero-emission mode. And what about charging? The Renault Megane Hybrid can be charged from an ordinary household socket in five hours.
Although unusual technologies hide under the bonnet, the interior looks essentially identical to that of a conventional Renault. Digital dials, a large tablet in the middle: it is simply comfortable and spacious. The batteries have been positioned so as not to eat into the space. A definite plus is that the fuel tank has lost only 5 litres of capacity, since a shorter overall range can be a real drawback of plug-in cars.
Pure mode, the boost function and the boot
Every drive starts in electric mode, and you can essentially force it to stay that way for the kilometres that follow; just press the "EV" button so that the combustion engine does not kick in. This mode is called "Pure", and it stays active until the electric energy runs out. Despite the small battery (as befits a hybrid) and the small engine, the Megane moves exceptionally briskly around town. Press the accelerator all the way down and the "boost" function kicks in, the car shoots forward and all but guarantees first place in the sprint away from the lights.
When thinking about the Renault Megane Grandtour E-Tech, it is crucial to stress the advantages of an estate, such as a boot that holds at least 389 litres of luggage (1372 l maximum) and is easy to load thanks to its low sill.
Test summary
My impressions of the hybrid estate I tested are very positive. The car is very quiet and comfortable, you do not feel the extra weight of the battery and drivetrain on the move, and it feels light and lively. Thanks to its large interior the Megane is a great family car because, besides the whole family, it will take parcels or a big shop. In town it can turn into an EV, pleasing both its owner and environmentalists. This combination will surely appeal to companies too, for which a car like this may be the ideal work tool for field staff.
