Renault Megane hybrid: E-TECH drivetrain comes to hatch and estate

The revised Renault Megane sees a plug-in hybrid drivetrain option added to the Volkswagen Golf-rivalling family car's range for the first time; full UK pricing and specifications for the model have now been revealed, including a starting price of £30,685.

Unlike the Renault Clio E-TECH, but similar to the Renault Captur E-TECH, the electrified Megane E-TECH will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The 158bhp drivetrain combines a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with a 9.3kWh battery for a 9.8-second 0-62mph time.

Driving on electric power alone will be possible at speeds up to nearly 85mph and Renault expects the Megane to be able to travel for 30 miles in pure-electric mode before the petrol engine has to be called on. Three driving modes will be available: 'MySense' (which automatically mixes electric and engine power for the best efficiency), 'Pure' (which keeps the car in purely electric mode for as long as possible) and 'Sport' (which offers maximum power at the expense of some efficiency).

Official testing says the Megane E-TECH will emit 30g/km of CO2 and return 217mpg fuel economy. The drivetrain will initially be offered only in the more practical Megane Estate, but is expected to make an appearance in the five-door Megane hatchback at a later date. In the estate, the addition of the hybrid system reduces boot volume from 580 and 1,504 litres respectively with the seats up and down, to 434 and 1,427 litres respectively.

Renault Megane E-TECH hybrid: trim levels and specifications

Like the petrol and diesel-engined Meganes, the E-TECH hybrid will be available in Iconic and R.S. Line trim levels, priced at £30,685 and £32,685 respectively. As noted above, the hybrid engine will be offered as a five-door 'Sport Tourer' estate only for the moment.

Iconic includes full LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear parking camera, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control with a speed limiter, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, auto-dipping headlights, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated and folding door mirrors, electric windows front and rear and automatic dual-zone climate control.

R.S. Line upgrades the wheel size to 17 inches and adds sporty front and rear bumpers, R.S. Line black fabric upholstery with red stitching R.S. Line dashboard trim, an R.S. leather steering wheel and a 10.2-inch driver information display (up from seven inches on the Iconic).

Enhanced driver assistance systems on the revised Megane include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, improved blind-spot warning and driver drowsiness detection.