The Mk4 Renault Megane has been around since 2016. Last year it had a bit of an update and facelift to keep it fresh but now it is available in (some might say) a more environmentally friendly 5 door hatchback plug-in hybrid.
The Megane uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery which powers two electric motors thus allowing it to drive on pure electric form up to 30 miles (WLTP). The petrol and electric motor combined produce 160 hp and it can achieve fuel economy of up to 235.4 mpg (WLTP). 0 to 62 mph takes 9.4 seconds.
From the outside the Megane R.S Line definitely looks the part. It is hard not to notice its signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights, sporty front/rear bumpers and 17 inch alloy wheels.
The sporty theme carries on to the interior. Driver and passenger seats are heavily bolstered and did a good job of hugging my body while keeping me in place on some winding roads. The seats look good too with red stitching stripes and a matching red stripe on the seat belts.
With the car switched off the interior seems very dark until I switched it on and then it was full on illumination throughout!! The dashboard is dominated by the a 9.3-inch touchscreen and behind the slightly flat-bottom steering wheel with the R.S logo at the bottom is a 10-inch TFT display.
I like how the switches and materials all feel inside.
On the open road, I found that it instantly felt noticeably quicker than its official 9.4 seconds 0 to 62 mph time and gave me the impression that it is well suited to normal everyday driving. The 1.6 litre petrol engine wasn’t intrusive and after a few miles I found myself selecting the regenerative braking in B mode. This allowed me to slow the car down by just lifting off the accelerator pedal – which helps re-charge the car battery as I drive.
Whilst driving at different speeds, I found the steering to be adequate. Obviously there isn’t the same sensation I experienced with the Megane R.S 300 Trophy – with its hard-core 4 wheel steering system.
(To read my thoughts on that click below.)
The suspension handled the various road surface conditions and bumps in a very competent way and in the cabin I experienced a quiet and pleasant drive.
Too me, this is a car that is well suited for the person who doesn’t want to fully commit to the full electric experience. It is more for someone who wants to drive something that feels slightly more special than an average Megane …whilst saving money in their pocket with fuel and taxes.
We Blog Any Car stats:
- 1.4 petrol plug-in hybrid engine
- 90 hp petrol engine
- 65 hp electric system
- six speed automatic
- 9.4 seconds 0 to 62 mph
- 109 mph top speed
- 28 CO2 (g/km)
- 235.4 mpg combined
- 11% BIK
- £31,495 prices start from for the Megane Hatch R.S Line E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid
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