Design

Two prototypes were initially presented, with Renault chief-executive-officer Luca de Meo choosing the one with the "sporty" design and the company's design chief commenting on the car's aerodynamics.^[15] The car has been noted for having proportions that make its size hard to judge in photographs, being slightly shorter than many other family hatchbacks.^[15][16][17] The battery is located underneath the floor of the car, and thus the cabin is raised slightly compared to a combustion-engine powered car,^[18] being 50 millimetres (2.0 in) taller than the Mégane IV.^[17][19] The design has elements which some find reminiscent of 4x4s,^[13][14] however various automotive publications describe it as a hatchback with design elements from coupés and crossovers.^{[20][19][21][15][22][23]} Euro NCAP classify it as a small family car.^[2]

The car has a high seating position with limited headroom for rear passengers, although the front is considered more spacious by motor journalists.^[3][16] The Mégane's high window sill line and small windows were criticized for having a very enclosed, oppressive and claustrophobic feel.^[19][20] Its physical temperature controls, however, were acknowledged for not being distracting while driving.^[24]

The Mégane has a boot capacity of 440 litres (16 cu ft).^[25] The majority of its capacity comes from its depth rather than its length, leading it to have a high loading lip.^{[26][16][13][3][20][17]} The car does not have a front boot, due to the presence of motors and other equipment within the bonnet.^[3][15]

• 
  Rear view
• 
  Interior

Powertrain

The Mégane E-Tech is available with two different batteries (40 kWh or 60 kWh) and two different traction motors with outputs of 96 kW (129 hp) and 250 Nm (180 lbft), or 160 kW (215 hp) and 300 Nm (220 lbft).^[1][27] The battery is 110 mm (4.3 in) tall.^[1] Anticipated range is 300 to 470 km (190 to 290 mi), depending on the original capacity, based on the WLTP cycle.^[1]

The 60 kWh battery that is compatible with fast-charging rates of up to 130 kW, allowing it to reclaim 200 km (120 mi) of range in 30 minutes. The electric motor produces 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS) and 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) of torque, powering the front wheels and delivering a claimed zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in under eight seconds.^[9] It will also be equipped with 26 advanced driver-assistance systems for its Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities.^[28] The batteries have been placed in the car in a manner intended to insulate occupants from tyre noise.^[16]