MEGANE E TECH ELECTRIC

And almost exactly like its concept. Design director Gilles Vidal calls it a pure electric ‘cross-hatchback’. You can see what he’s getting at: chunky presence, big wheels and high nose, but it actually stands only 5cm higher than today’s Megane hatch (and is actually shorter). On sale next year.

A 40 or 60kWh battery, the latter good for 280 miles of range. It’ll accept the typical 7.4 or 22kW home chargers, but out-and-about it can handle 130kW DC charging. Thermal management cools the battery as you close in on a charger.

Renault reckons its target customer is a GTI-lover railing against SUVs and… erm… electrification. So it’s talking up the Megane’s front-drive dynamics: the centre of gravity is 9cm lower than a Zoe’s, there’s a new, quick steering rack and multi-link rear suspension to boost stability and turn-in. It also weighs 1608kg, besting the VW ID.3 by 100+kg.

Big digital screens, squared-o steering wheel and most fabrics are recyclable. Open-R infotainment uses Google and is seven times faster than Renault’s current system. There’s a fire hatch, too, so emergency services can easily douse the batteries.

Renault’s been impressively fastidious with the tiny details of its new electric Megane, and succeeded in making it look near-as-damn-it exactly like the futuristic concept. Usable range, much-improved infotainment and ID.3-besting dynamics? Great, but we’re more excited by the new 5 EV.