Renault Espace VI

The previous fifth-generation Espace eschewed its large MPV form into a premium midsize crossover that is deemed controversial for loyalists but it still works like a people carrier. For this all-new, sixth-generation model, the antithesis of the Renault Espace is getting deeper, shaking away its MPV image further and becoming even more of a crossover.

2024 Renault Espace

Starting at 44,500 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new, sixth-generation, Renault Espace is further shaking away its MPV image that became the hallmark of the Espace heritage for nearly four decades in favor of a crossover image because in the new normal, crossover SUVs are becoming as big as superheroes in movies and TV nowadays. Despite becoming more of a crossover, it still works like an MPV, meaning it's capable of tackling through almost all walks of life.

2024 Renault Espace

Beginning with the exterior design, while this is basically an enlarged Austral, the all-new Espace is now as big as the now-defunct Koleos. Yes, the Koleos is now officially extinct and the Espace is taking over the spot that was left vacant by the Koleos' demise. With its Austral looks and Koleos sizing, the Espace looks like the best of both worlds or rather a rock and a hard place, metaphorically speaking.

2024 Renault Espace interior

While the new interior features typical Renault stuff like the bent-over touch-screen in the middle that runs on Google with over 50 embedded apps for your doom-scrolling pleasure as well as the Harman Kardon high-fidelity sound with 12 speakers and sound spatialization technology, the all-new Espace is offered in either a five-seater or a seven-seater. Depending on the variant, it can carry up to 1,818L of boot space with the second and third-row seats folded down, more than you can fit into the Koleos.

2024 Renault Espace

As expected, the sixth-generation Espace is front-wheel-drive only just like its predecessor, meaning it only fits through city streets and some dirt, but not too much dirt, and because it's now running on an entirely new platform and comes with the 4CONTROL Advanced four-wheel steering, it drives better than its predecessor, I presume.

Under the hood, it's powered by the same 1.2L E-TECH Hybrid as the Arkana and the Austral. It produces 200PS of power output and mated with the 6-speed AT, the fuel economy is 4.6 L/100 km based on WLTP standards. This engine is engineered to have 1,100km of autonomy as Renault estimates.

For safety, the all-new Espace features a host of ADAS such as Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy, Automated Park Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, RCTA, and Occupant Safe Exit, among many others.

Shaking away its MPV image further is deemed unsatisfactory for Espace loyalists since its predecessor but the all-new sixth-generation Espace is still living up to its mantra by being capable of tackling through all walks of life like a decent people carrier. A proper competitor to the Mazda CX-8 if you ask.

With its Austral looks, Koleos sizing, E-TECH, and a host of safety tech, the Espace of the new normal is all about getting ready for almost everything and perhaps certain questions about the new model are better left unanswered.

Available Colors: Bleu Nocturne, Blanc Nacre, Rouge Flamme, Gris Schiste Satin, Gris Schiste, and Noir Etoile.

Photo: Renault

My FH5 Log: Rise of the #PrimeDay Beasts

You guessed it, it's Prime Day again. The once-a-year event is where the heavy beasts have gone uncaged and become bats out of hell for the most insane moments of their lives.

For the second time in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to celebrate Prime Day by letting these beasts roar and this year, it's going to get even more feral as the cars I used last year, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Pagani Zonda R, are rejoined by the Renault Megane RS 250, the hot hatchback that I won back at the #FORDZATHON series update last January.

Ah yes, the beasts of Prime Day. They're the Jurassic menace I'm talking about because they are business and leisure without compromise. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, to the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these unstoppable missiles are the heavy beasts only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode.

From the moment the F-150 SVT Raptor battles against a HALO jumper, a Renaultsport Megane III battling against a Porsche Boxster, to the Zonda R going all-out, you can really hear these high-performance cannibals roaring to the sounds of prime. These heavy beasts really are badass. Yes!

Since we got the Horizon Badlands on schedule, it's time to give these heavy beasts the most insane races of their lives in select Horizon Raptors venues, just to showcase their technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only the Megane and the Zonda got that part.

From as far as Arizona and Rockingham, these heavy beasts come all the way to Mexico, determined to take on the Horizon Raptors. The challenge is on!

THIS...IS...PRIME DAY!!!

From the Zonda R's race-derived technology, and the Megane's lightness, to the F-150 SVT Raptor's brutal power, these unstoppable missiles made PRIME DAY the Jurassic menace you don't want to mess with. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive these heavy beasts mixing business and leisure without compromise.

See you next PRIME DAY. (Tiger Roar)

My FH5 Log: What killed the Renaultsport Clio?

The Renaultsport Clio IV is the last of the breed of Renault's compact midsized hot hatchbacks that compete against the likes of the defunct Ford Fiesta ST. It's a shame that its successor never spawned the hot version due to the climate of hot hatchback sales but it's a clear reminder that although they are forgotten, they're becoming future classics for generations to come.

Most carmakers say that due to the rise of crossovers, the climate of hot hatches are grim as they've expected because with fewer speedo boys buying hot hatchbacks like the Renaultsport Clio, they have no choice but not to carry on to the next generation of hatchbacks. Sure, they are offering mildly sporty variants of normal hatchbacks but when you're talking about performance, this word is no longer applied to their vocabulary anymore. Sounds tragic but there's more to it than that.

Asked about which version of the Renaultsport Clio is the best, some would say it's the facelifted Renaultsport Clio III because it's the last Renaultsport Clio to be a three-door hot hatch and the last to mated to a manual gearbox. Yes, the Renaulptsport Clio IV is a fast hatchback indeed on a track day but when it comes to excitement, it's the Renaultsport Clio III that stands out the most. 

With its 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, Brembo brake calipers, and upgraded suspension, it's all about back to basics with the Renaultsport Clio III. The Renaultsport Clio IV, meanwhile, is kind of unorthodox because of its questionable powertrain. It's powered by the same 1.6L DIG TURBO engine as the Nissan Juke but it produces 200PS of power, about the same as its predecessor, but it's been mated to a 6-speed EDC that shifts quicker than the previous model but in terms of driving experience, it rather spoils the fun. Despite the gearbox, the reworked chassis and dynamics made the Renaultsport Clio IV more capable to drive on a track-day basis.

Speaking of which, it's time to give these last runners of the Renaultsport Clio lineage a quick and dirty drive downhill from the caldera to see which one is the quickest. Before you ask, yes, I got that Renaultsport Clio III from the FORDZATHON Hot Season Playlist you're on now, so if you haven't got it, it's your last chance.

Anyway, with the preparations set, the search for the answer begins now.

With their runs completed, here are the results;

Clio III RS F/L - 4m13.020s

Clio IV RS - 4m12.402s

As expected, it's a close result between the two Clios. The Renaultsport Clio IV managed to beat its predecessor by nearly a second. That's incredible for a car with similar performance as its previous model even though they're way out of their leagues.

It's sad that the Renaultsport Clio IV is the last of its kind and because its successor never spawned the hot version due to the climate of hot hatchback sales, there's nothing to do but express dejection while getting appreciated for what they're driving right now. It may not be the best Clio ever made but it's going to be a future classic for generations to come.

One day the hot Clio will return but because Renaultsport is finished for good, it will become an Alpine. Sounds far-fetched but there may be a glimmer of hope for the revival of a hot Clio. Until then, enjoy what's left in the Renaultsport Clio lineage.

The more you know.

My FH5 Log: The ultimate Clio that never was

Obtained from the FH5's FORZATHON Dry Season Playlist, the one-off Renault Clio R.S. 16 Concept pays a visit to the Horizon Mexico Festival, showcasing to the crowd the performance never applied to the last Renaultsport Clio.

Built to celebrate four decades of RenaultSport, this commemorative one-off based on the Clio IV RS is powered by the same 275hp 2.0L turbo engine from the Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy-R as well as reworked chassis and suspension systems made with racing purposes in mind. The livery and the name were inspired by one of Renault's Formula 1 racing drivers, marking Renault's return as a Formula 1 constructor, and to celebrate its comeback, they've enlisted Kevin Magnussen to drive it around the streets of Monaco.

This one-off project was made by a team of ten or so people and it took less than five months to get it done so everything is working by the moment it lets its turbocharged engine loose and what a machine it is.

With the introduction done, it's time to give the forgotten Renault Clio R.S. 16 Concept a Hillclimb attack while dealing with some dummies to play with. Roll the tape.

For a Clio with the mechanicals of the Renaultsport Megane, it's got the gusto that never was. Too bad Renaultsport is gone and the dream of a powerful Clio is no longer happening. Boo.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Meganee-san's last song

The Renaultsport Megane is the last of the breed as the Renaultsport brand was officially extinct and replaced by Alpine. Needless to say, the last Renaultsport machine will forever be known as the ultimate front-wheel-drive hot hatch that can humiliate even the fattest cats in the ring.

As Meganee-san hits her last song, it's time for a deep dive through the Renaultsport Megane's evolution chain, from where it all began to where it all ends.

The first chapter of the Renaultsport Megane saga is actually based on the second-generation Megane but this here is the R26.R, the most potent version of the said car. With no rear seats and extensive use of lightweight materials, the R26.R weighs 2,712 lbs while its 2.0L petrol engine produces a modest 227hp. Power is not the issue for the R26.R because when it was launched, it had set a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes and 17 seconds, the fastest for a front-wheel-drive vehicle at that time.

The Renaultsport Megane III that I won from the FH5 FORDZATHON Wet Season playlist is an evolution of Renaultsport's super hot hatch made to humiliate the big ones. This version is the last time the Megane goes three-door because its successor, the last of its kind, is a five-door super hot hatch, but rest assured that it's going to be a future classic for many years to come. Launched in 2009, the Renaultsport Megane III has a 2.0L turbocharged engine that produces 250PS of power while mated to a 6-speed manual, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 245kph. Because of the know-how from the Renault F1 team and the Renault Megane Trophy Race Car, it has improved dynamics compared to the previous model.

And now, the one that would be known as the final page of Renaultsport's history, the final Renaultsport Megane.

Based on the fourth-generation Megane, the all-new Renaultsport Megane is boasted to be the most powerful Renaultsport ever made courtesy of its 1.8L turbo engine that produces 280PS of power and 390Nm of torque, which is 5PS more than the previous Megane R.S. 275. Mated to a rather controversial 6-speed EDC similar to the one used on the Renaultsport Clio IV, it propels the Megane R.S. to a 0-100kph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed limited to 255kph. Although quick, enthusiasts will go for the manual variant of the Renaultsport Megane, where its fun-to-drive charm matters to its track-honed hot hatch.

Learning their lessons from the previous models, the Renaultsport Megane features a reworked chassis that takes advantage of its efficiency, agility, stability, and comfort as well as its 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and four bump stop shock absorbers.

The Renaultsport Megane offers different variants to choose from such as the Sport, the more traditionalist Cup which is stiffer than the first one and comes with an LSD, the sharper and more powerful Trophy, and the record-breaking Trophy R, which blitzed the Nurburgring front-wheel drive record at 7:40.1, faster than the Honda Civic Type R FK8.

As the world bids farewell not just to the Renaultsport Megane but also to the entire Renaultsport as its transitioning itself to the Alpine brand, it's time to give these three Meganes an uphill drive to the top to find out which one is the best.

You may remember back in our Horizon UK adventure, the Renaultsport Megane IV is the quickest of the three around a rural village. What about on the Mexican Hillclimb to the top of the caldera? Let's find out and oh, THIS IS THE LAST SONG FOR MEGANEE-SAN!

As the three Meganee-sans climbed to the top with their last drops of fuel, here are the results;

Megane R26.R - 3m32.980s

Megane III RS - 3m38.302s

Megane IV RS - 3m35.032s

Although the results are shocking indeed, it looks like the Renaultsport Megane II R26.R is the best Megane of all.

Meganee-san is pleased by this shocking result.

It seems that in the age of the new normal, cars like the Renaultsport Megane have been consigned to the history books and that made me as sad as witnessing the end of the Pretty Series, meaning this is really the last time we say hi to the Prism Stone Meganee-san for real. Dejection I felt, it's been an honor to shake hands with Meganee-san, one last time. 

It's the same goes for the Renaultsport Megane. Although the super hot hatch has met its bitter demise, speedo boys have fond memories with it not only because it's the front-wheel-drive hatchback that toppled the Nurburgring like a boss, but because it's the hatchback that made us remember the Renaultsport marque.

Although sad to see the Renaultsport Megane reached the true end, I have last words for this wonder;

Merci beaucoup, Meganee-san. Au revoir.

Renault Korea XM3 E-TECH Hybrid

Renault Samsung Motors is no more. It's now named Renault Korea Motors and this move is similar to what happened when General Motors dumped the Daewoo name over a decade ago for the creation of the GM Korea company. Name change aside, this is the first vehicle launched under the new company name and it's basically the hybrid version of the popular crossover coupe, the XM3.

2023 Renault Korea XM3 E-TECH Hybrid

With prices starting at 32,350,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid is the hybrid version of the popular crossover coupe sold in Korea, the XM3. Since its Renault Arkana equivalent available worldwide comes with the said hybrid powerplant, the newest addition made them say this should have been implemented when the XM3 was first launched two years ago.

Compared to its petrol equivalent, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid features a different front face similar to the Renault Arkana sold to Europe but with the signature typhoon badge, the once proud logo of the former Renault Samsung Motors before its name change, slapped all over.

The interior is the same story as well. Drivers are greeted with the 9.3-inch touch screen as well as the longer 10.25 TFT display which takes place from the typical speedos. There are knobs for the air-con as well. On the passenger side, this five-seater is not bad to make a living out of it and the boot space of up to 513 liters with the secret compartment opened means it can carry anything when taken for a family outing or for business in the case of TNVS or deliveries.

The E-TECH Hybrid powertrain saw the 86PS 1.6L GTe engine mated to two electric motors and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is a combined 17.4km/L, which is less than its main rival, the second-generation Kia Niro.

As expected, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid, like its petrol equivalent, is front-wheel-drive-only, and because it runs on Megane components, it behaves almost like the Megane in a good way and it's basically not old-fashioned by the way it moves.

In the interest of safety, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid is packed with a wide array of safety features such as Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, Adaptive cruise control (with Stop & Go), Active emergency braking system, Blind spot warning, Lane departure warning, and lane guard system, and many others.

Although it's not as efficient as the Kia Niro, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid is the XM3 the Koreans would like to have when it was first launched. Speaking of which, it's hard to accept the biggest change of what was known to be South Korea's motoring rising star now that the Samsung name was removed from the history of Korean motoring. 

Renault Korea Motors...this company name change feels like a sign of things to come and the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid is one of them.

Photo: Renault Korea Motors

Renault Austral

The Renault Austral is the much-needed replacement for the Kadjar which promises to be more premium, more practical, and more enjoyable to drive than the one it replaces. So, let's take a deep dive into Renault's newest midsize crossover, which is basically a French X-Trail for numerous reasons.

2023 Renault Austral

2023 Renault Austral

Priced at 33,400 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Renault Austral is basically the French equivalent of the Nissan X-Trail, just like the old Kadjar it replaces. Despite the Japanese connection underneath, courtesy of the alliance, the Austral is as French as the France Rugby team who aren't afraid to get themselves dirty. Dirty aside, the Austral has a clean slate due to its electrification implemented, making it capable of the new normal.

Starting with the exterior, there's nothing show-off about the Austral's exterior, apart from the first-ever Esprit Alpine variant (which is the new name of sporty variants that used to be called RS Line) with sporty detailing. With modern design DNA flowing through its rugged looks, the Austral is quintessentially Renault from top to bottom without the drama.

2023 Renault Austral interior

Come to the interior, the Austral showcases its French side because of its bent-over touch-screen in the middle reminiscent of the aged iPad that you've accidentally bent but still functional. Sounds unorthodox but the real shocker is that the bent touch screen in the middle runs on Google, meaning it's a bent Android tablet with plenty of features to play with such as Google Maps, Amazon Music, and Waze, among many others. Apart from the bent touch-screen panel, the Austral features Harman Kardon high-fidelity sound with 12 speakers and sound spatialization technology for a much clearer listening experience for various reasons.

Asking about space, the Austral is a five-seater crossover just like the Kadjar and because it's bigger than the Kadjar it replaces, it's surprisingly roomier as well. Even the boot space saw some bump into it with up to 1525 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded down. With this much space, the Austral is a free-for-all crossover fit for various situations.

2023 Renault Austral

Despite being an SUV, the Austral is front-wheel-drive only, meaning it's only capable of driving through city streets and some dirt, but not too much dirt, and because it's now running on an entirely new platform, the Austral drives slightly better than the Kadjar it replaces.

Coupled with the MULTI-SENSE and the 4CONTROL Advanced four-wheel steering, the Austral behaves like a midsize sedan for various reasons. There's an optional Extended Grip Pack which adds two new modes into the MULTI-SENSE such as "Snow" and "All roads", meaning this crossover is ready for weekends with Hannibal. It's a French thing to do for a crossover like this.

Because of the new platform's electrification goals, the Austral features a 1.2L turbo mild hybrid petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed MT or a CVT, and the Arkana-derived, 200PS, 1.2L E-TECH Hybrid mated to a 7-speed AT capable of a combined 4.6L/100 km of fuel economy. Mind you, this E-TECH Hybrid powertrain may be slightly less powerful than the Nissan X-TRAIL e-4ORCE but its fuel efficiency is worth winning for the French.

Because this is a crossover built for the new normal, the Renault Austral features a total of 32 ADAS that can be grouped together into three categories; driving, parking, and safety. These include Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy, Automated Park Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, RCTA, and Occupant Safe Exit, among many others.

So, the first-ever Renault Austral. What can I say? Although it's front-wheel-drive only, it's surprisingly the evolved version of the Kadjar that is proven to be worth driving than the Nissan X-TRAIL it was based on, despite being two seats less. Looks like the French are on the roll with this newest Renault crossover built for the new normal.

Photo: Renault

My GT7 Log: The Beasts of #PrimeDay

Gran Turismo 7 is joining the Prime Day madness as this game has the most insane heavy beasts that are prepared for the most insane moments of their lives. 

The F-150 SVT Raptor, the Renaultsport Megane III, the McLaren MP4-12C, and the Pagani Zonda R are the heavy beasts that can't wait to let their wild side unleashed on track.

Primed and ready, these four heavy beasts are known for unleashing their primal strengths wherever lay ahead. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, the motorsport-inspired dynamics of the 12C, and the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these machines are business and leisure without compromise. I know, I always love saying that every Prime Day because these four unstoppable missiles are Prime Day's Jurassic menace.

To unleash the Jurassic menace of these four unstoppable missiles, it's time to let these heavy beasts accelerate violently through Watkins Glen, the newest addition to Gran Turismo 7's track roster. There are two variants of this new addition; the long one and the short one. I went for the long one just to make it more exciting and real.

Let the Jurassic menace begin!

These four unstoppable missiles... Only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode. However, there can be only one, and here is the result;

F-150 SVT Raptor - 2:29.042

Megane RS Trophy - 2:20.104

12C - 2:10.942

Zonda R - 1:49.354

The most unstoppable missile in Prime Day's Jurassic menace is the Zonda R.

Watching these four unstoppable missiles ripping through the track with such technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only three made the cut, this is the main reason why I love Prime Day. 

Prime Day is when I'm getting the maximum out of these heavy beasts no matter which video game I'm on. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive such monsters.

See you next Prime Day, HALO guys!

My FH5 Log: It's a Gordini thing

Of all the most iconic French cars in history, why is the Renault 8 Gordini the biggest standout ever emerged from the said country? Let's have a quick dive into one of the most iconic cars from Renault's history books.

The Renault 8 was launched in 1962 and runs on the same mechanicals as the Dauphine. It features a newly-developed 1.0L Cleon-Fronte engine producing 43HP of power and class-first disc brakes on all wheels. Two years later, Gordini made some modifications to the Renault 8 such as bumping the said engine with more power courtesy of its cross-flow head with sub-combustion chambers and dual twin0choke carburetors, not to mention the additional 0.1L displacement to make it a 1.1L engine. Following the success of the R8 Gordini, the most powerful version of the said car, the R8 Gordini 1300 was unveiled in 1966. The 1.3L engine that powers it produces 102HP of power and it's mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The R8 Gordini was heavily praised for its motorsport accomplishments such as dominating the Tour de Course and other races for three years in a row since 1964 and then two years later, it starred in its own one-make race series called the Gordini Cup; a stepping stone for future professional drivers.

Judging by its motorsport pedigree, it's no wonder why the Renault 8 Gordini is the biggest standout of the French motorsports scene of the 1960s. With its short size, nimble handling, and its 1.3L engine which is tiny even by modern standards, most speedo boys believe that driving the R8 Gordini feels as easy as riding a bike on a Sunday afternoon. Speedo boys are impressed by the R8 Gordini's racing pedigree which is part of Renault's heritage and culture, but for me, I want something more with...The Sorcerer.

Using the streets of Guanajuato as my lab, the R8 Gordini is prepared to take on the extremes as it takes on a cross-country circuit race against other classic cars. Let's find out if this thing can survive on its own. Ready? Roll the tape.

Wow, it barely survived despite a broken gearbox following the massive jump but hey, it's a French thing.

As super saloons evolved, nothing can match the reputation of the ancient Renault 8 Gordini. With its motorsport pedigree involved in this tiny little French sedan, it truly is one of Renault's all-time greats.

Like it or not, feel free to enjoy driving the R8 Gordini in Forza Horizon 5 as a DLC Car, just to give what's like to drive The Sorcerer. After all, it's a G thing.

Renault Megane V E-Tech

The fifth-generation Renault Megane is now a fully-electric hatchback that can be either a revolution or a revolting feat, depending on how you see it. Either way, that's how the system works, as a certain someone said. Anyway, it's time to meet your new Megane-san.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Starting at 35,200 Euros plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Renault Megane is a drastic change that shares nothing in common with its predecessors because starting now, the Megane is a BEV that signals the new age for Renault in this time of the new normal.

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Megane draws inspiration from the eVision Concept but in reality, it's hard to describe whether it is a crossover or a hatchback just like the Hyundai IONIQ5 and the Kia EV6, the Megane E-TECH's main targets. Apart from that, the Megane E-TECH is the first Renault to don the new logo because it's the new decade and the new logo rush is the new normal. Either way, that's how the design works, but still, it's worth charming for a French electric car of such size.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

The new interior can be as hospitable as, well, Meganee-san of course, probably because of its roomier creature comforts and boot space compared to the previous model, not to mention the extensive use of recycled materials for guilt-free purposes like most EVs had, but what's on the driver's side is worth a controversy because of its massive touch screen on the dashboard similar to Teslas, which controls much about everything on this car ranging from the audio, the sat-nav, the smartphone connectivity, and so on. This stuff scares speedo boys straight to their knees but as always, that's how the system works.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Now let's get to know more about its electric powertrain, the trump card of the new Megane E-TECH. It features a brand new EESM and it weighs less than the one used on the ZOE, and it features two power configurations with the latter producing 160kw of power and 300Nm of torque, capable of 0-100kph time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 160kph, 20kph slower than everyday Japanese vehicles. As for range, the range-topper is good for 450km based on WLTP standards and its charging time takes 42 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a public charging station. That's how the electric powertrain works and apart from that, the Megane E-TECH features regenerative braking on demand with four interchangeable brake levels.

In terms of driving feel, the Megane E-TECH feels bulky to drive unlike past Megane models because it weighs over two tons due to its electric powertrain, but it feels stable and civilized. In the end, that's how the Megane works.

The Renault Megane E-TECH, much to the shock of speedo boys behind the wheel, features the most advanced driving aids offered in its class such as Active Driver Assist, Smart Speed Limiter, LDW, BSW, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Rear AEB, OSE, and many others. That's how safety features work.

Is the new Renault Megane E-TECH a revolution or a revolting feat? With its crossover styling, futuristic interior, game-changing electric powertrain, and the most advanced safety features offered, you can't really say but in the end...that's how the new Megane E-TECH works.

Say hello to your new Megane-san, Megane-san.

Photo: Renault