Renault is strengthening its electrified vehicle offering in Ireland with the announcement of the Renault Mégane Hatch E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid, the new five-door model complementing the Sports Tourer version that is already available with the advanced powertrain. The Mégane Hatch E-TechPlug-In Hybrid combines generous performance with incredible efficiency and low running costs, while customers can avail of SEAI grant support to the tune of €600 towards installation of a home charging point.
The Mégane Hatch Plug-In Hybrid is in Renault dealerships today and customers can choose from two well-equipped trim levels – the Iconic E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid 160 Auto and the sporty R.S. Line E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid 160 Auto. Both versions feature an efficient 1.6-litre petrol engine complemented by two electric motors, resulting in combined fuel economy of 1.2l/100km (WLTP) and CO2 emissions of only 28g/km (WLTP). An electric-only range of 50km means many drivers’ regular daily journeys can be covered without resorting to petrol power, while the efficient hybrid powertrain offers the ability to cover longer distances without the need to recharge.
Efficiency isn’t to the detriment of performance either, the 160hp drivetrain enabling a 0-100km/h time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 182km/h. The new hybrid is more powerful than any other Mégane, with the exception of the incredible RS and Trophy versions, while also offering favourable Total Cost of Ownership arguments.
Both trim levels feature an extensive standard specification, which includes an electronic parking brake, front and rear electric windows, cruise control with speed limiter, 10-inch TFT driver’s display, Eco Mode, EV mode button, MULTI-SENSE with three driving modes and eight ambient lighting colours, and a hands-free key card.
Standard safety equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist and the Visio System that incorporates lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high/low beam.
The Iconic trim level stands out with such features as 16-inch ‘Impulse’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, and frameless rear-view mirror. Its EASYLINK navigation system ensures customers are well connected with two USB ports, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that are accessible through its 7-inch touchscreen.
The R.S. Line version gains exclusive body-coloured R.S. Line bumpers, 17-inch ‘Monthlery’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, and an R.S. leather steering wheel. Safety is further enhanced with the fitment of the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), rear parking camera and hands-free parking, while the EASYLINK navigation system has a larger 9.3-inch touchscreen.
Customers will be able to further personalise their Mégane Hatch Plug-In Hybrid with options such as the Signature Pack, which adds adaptive cruise control, Lane Keeping Assistance, E-Call, BOSE audio and a luxurious leather interior.
The Mégane Hatch Plug-In Hybrid uses the same technology that debuted on the Captur E-Tech hybrid, which was engineered with input from the Alpine F1 team. It combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 9.8kW lithium-ion battery and two electric motors, together with the automatic, multi-mode dog gearbox that features in all other E-Tech models. In operation, it starts the vehicle in 100 per cent electric mode, significantly reducing the gap in acceleration during gear changes. This means a smoother, more refined drive plus better performance.
The hybrid powertrain’s efficiency allows significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2emissions. Battery charging on a home charging point takes as little as 3 hours at 3.6kW, while the included domestic cable enables charging from a 3-pin plug. In addition, the hybrid powertrain is designed to use the optimal energy output to recharge the battery whenever the energy created is more than the required power. Then, kinetic energy recovered during deceleration or braking can be transformed into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
When combined with the other hybrid and 100 per cent electric vehicles in the Renault passenger car range, the addition of the Mégane Hatch Plug-In Hybrid means Renault now offers an electrified option to suit everyone.
