Renault has expanded its electrified range with a new plug-in hybrid version of its Megane hatchback, which is priced from £29,495.
The French firm introduced a plug-in option to its Megane Sports Tourer (estate) last year, but this is the first time the regular hatch has been offered with an electrified option. Rivalling the Seat Leon e-Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf e-Hybrid, the Megane Hatch E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 9.8kWh battery. A six-speed automatic gearbox is also used, which always starts the car in electric mode.
It offers a total output of 158bhp, which Renault says allows for a 0-60mph time of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 109mph. When the battery is fully charged, it can travel for up to 30 miles on electricity alone, which allows for a fuel economy figure of 235.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 28g/km meaning it has a benefit-in-kind of just 11 per cent for company car drivers.
Using a Type 2 charger, the battery can be charged in three hours, or it would take four hours and 15 minutes with a standard three-pin socket.
Prices for the Megane Hatch E-Tech start from £29,495 for a version in Iconic trim (£1,500 less than the Sports Tourer), with standard equipment including front and rear parking sensors, a 10-inch digital dial display, seven-inch touchscreen and keyless entry.
Upgrading to the top-spec R.S. Line, which costs from £31,495, adds larger 17-inch alloy wheels, a sportier styling kit, reversing camera and larger 9.3-inch touchscreen.
From when order books open next month, the plug-in hybrid is set to be the only version of the Megane available, with petrol and diesel versions set to be axed. However, Renault is due to reveal a new electric Megane-badged SUV in September, which will likely arrive in Renault showrooms at the start of 2022.
First deliveries for the Megane Hatch E-Tech plug-in hybrid are expected in September.
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