"We're going to have a good run!" - Renault Australia new model roll-out ramps up with multiple arrivals locked in over the next 18 months and MG4-rivalling R5 electric car confirmed for RHD production

This week’s launch of Renault’s new-generation Megane E-Tech EV is the start of a determined product push for the famous French brand, with Renault Australia’s General Manager, Glen Sealey confirming an impressive roster of new or updated passenger and light-commercial models arriving here over the next 18 months.

While the new Megane E-Tech Techno EV60, at $64,990, before on-road costs, takes aim at a raft of well-specified electric rivals like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, the Kia Niro EV and Volvo EX30, not to mention the Tesla Model Y, next cab of the Renault rank is the small Kangoo E-Tech van.

With pricing confirmed at $61,990, before on-road costs, for the entry-level short-wheelbase version, the new Kangoo is due to hit local showrooms next month.

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The single motor (90kW/245Nm) Kangoo EV boasts a (WLTP) 300km range, 3.9 cubic metres of cargo volume, a 600kg payload, 500kg towing capacity and is destined to go head-to-head with Peugeot’s similarly sized and specified e-Partner ($59,990, before on-road costs).

Once the electric version of the compact Kangoo van has settled in, its internal combustion siblings are scheduled to join it mid-year.  

Offered in Europe with a choice of 1.3-litre TCe petrol (75kW and 97kW) and 1.5-litre Blue dCi diesel (56kW and 71kW) engines it offers the same 3.9 cubic metre load volume as the electric version. 

Not long after, a long-wheelbase version of the Kangoo E-Tech will arrive, expanding cargo volume to 4.9 cubic metres and increasing payload to 800kg.

Once the electric version of the compact Kangoo van has settled in, its internal combustion siblings are scheduled to join it mid-year.

Towards the end of 2024 the larger Trafic E-Tech van is due to touch down, with the standard version possibly joined by long-wheelbase and high-roof variants.

Packing a 52kWh lithium ion battery, the pure-electric van has a (WLTP) range of up to 297km, with a load space between 5.8 and 8.9 cubic metres, up to 920kg towing capacity and up to a 1.1-tonne payload.

The Trafic comes a 52kWh lithium ion battery, the pure-electric van has a (WLTP) range of up to 297km.

Early in 2025 a facelifted version of the Captur small SUV will arrive, with Glen Sealey confirming no more of the current car will be coming in, so “there will be a gap for Captur”. In other words, get in quick if you want a new Renault Captur sooner rather than later.

Beyond that the crystal ball slides onto the table with Mr Sealey confirming the new-generation R5 and Scenic are confirmed for right-hand-drive production. But that doesn’t mean they’re a certainly for Australia. 

Towards the end of 2024 the larger Trafic E-Tech van is due to touch down.

In relation to the new 5 EV specifically, he told CarsGuide, “We still need to take the next step, and that is to do the business case to get the investment for the unique Australian ADRs.

“And then make sure it ticks the box for our own Renault (Australia) business, and most importantly the customers.

“It’s okay to have the business case for Renault, but if a car arrives here and it should be 60 grand, but it’s 160 grand it’s never going to work.

“We would love to have that car here. It’s still in business case, but it’s yet to get into production (the production version is due to be shown at this month’s Geneva Motor Show). Once it’s in production it becomes an earnest discussion for us,” he said.