Two 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech EV variants approved for Australia

The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is drawing closer to its local release in October, with the battery-electric hatch-cum-SUV now officially approved for sale in Australia – in a bigger model range than anticipated.

Earlier this year, Renault Australia said the French brand’s important new EV would be offered in a single, highly specified model grade.

But homologation data seen by carsales reveals that two variants have received approval by federal authorities – Techno and Iconic – which paves the way for a two-pronged attack.

This might occur at launch or as a means to bolster the range after the first wave of Renault Megane E-Tech Electric cars arrive Down Under.

We’ve contacted Renault Australia for comment, but a look at the European market shows that both versions are highly specified and that the key difference between the two is the Iconic’s use of a new high-tech heat pump.

According to Renault, the system recovers heat generated by the EV’s battery and electric motor “twice as efficiently” to ensure optimal temperature for the cabin whilst simultaneously minimising the impact on range.

In use, when the outside temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the range of the Megane E-Tech can increase by up to nine per cent on motorways whilst maintaining a comfortable temperature inside, Renault says.

The Iconic also has a broader colour palette and features unique ‘Enos’ 20-inch alloy wheels, a gold ‘F1 blade’, nine-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, smart rear-view mirror and around-view 3D camera system.

These latter items (sans heat pump) were also found on a Launch Edition in Europe, and so the Iconic could form the basis of the first batch of Megane E-Tech Electric cars to be sold Down Under.

Whatever the case, the EV will still have a premium price tag as Renault Australia indicated in February, when it made clear it was targeting a “mid- to low-$70,000, before on-road costs” position.

Both the Techno and Iconic model grades use the same 160kW/300Nm single-motor powertrain with 60kWh battery pack.

Renault quotes a WLTP-verified driving range of up to 450km and a 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds.

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