New Renault Megane eVision is first of new electric family

Renault has revealed the Mégane eVision, a bold electric concept that it claims "reinvents the classical hatchback" and closely previews a final car due to go into production at the end of 2021.

Although it takes its name from Renault's long-running Ford Focus rival, the concept is an all-new design built on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's electric CMF-EV platform, which is also used for the Nissan Ariya large SUV.

The Mégane eVision appears to share several styling features with the Ariya, but its design is heavily based on the recent Renault Morphoz concept. New Renault boss Luca de Meo commented at the model's reveal today: "The car looks very futuristic but it is 95% what the production car will look like."

De Meo said the company "fully leveraged the potential of a pure-electric platform to reinvent the classical hatchback in an emotional way". He continued: "The Mégane eVision reinvents the Mégane and Renault reinvents Renault. This is just the beginning; a whole new generation of innovation-packed EVs is to come. A family of vehicles will be based on the CMF-EV platform - to date more than 300 patents have been filed."

The Mégane eVision features what Renault terms 'slimline' batteries, which are built into the structure of the CMF-EV platform. As is standard for an EV, the batteries are mounted under the floor. De Meo said the batteries are 11cm high, claiming this makes them "the flattest in the market". He added: "It allows us to give [the concept] a sporty look and achieve very competitive aerodynamics."

The concept has a 60kWh battery that can be fast-charged at rates of up to 130kW. De Meo claimed the car is capable of a range of 280 miles on WLTP. He added that there was "potential" to achieve a higher range in future. The 63kWh unit in the closely related but larger Ariya yields a range of around 223 miles.

The production version of the Mégane eVision, will be revealed next year ahead of sales starting in 2021, and is likely to be offered with multiple different battery sizes. The Ariya will be offered with two battery sizes as well as with single-motor front-drive and twin-motor four-wheel drive, and it is likely a similar mix will be offered on the new Mégane.

The electric motor produces 215bhp and 221lb ft with power sent to the front wheels, so Renault claims a 0-62mph time of less than 8.0sec.

Renault calls the Mégane eVision a "dynamic hatchback" that features styling elements taken from city cars, SUVs and coupés. At 4210mm long, it's slightly shorter than the current Mégane and the Ariya. It's 1800mm wide and 1505mm high, while its wheelbase of 2700mm is almost identical to the Ariya's. It weights 1650kg.

The Mégane eVision's grille comes from the Morphoz, with narrow LED Matrix headlights that merge into a strip running across the front, surrounding an illuminating Renault logo.

Air stops built into the front bumper direct air around the wheels to increase efficiency, while the 20in wheel rims also feature aerodynamic elements taken from the Morphoz.

The Mégane eVision's sides feature smooth surfaces, with flush electric door handles that open automatically when you approach. A rear spoiler is mounted on the coupé-esque roof to further aid efficiency and feed down to a sculpted rear with an aluminium diffuser.The show car's roof is painted gold to give it a 'floating' feel.

Renault has yet to show images of the Mégane eVision's interior, but the firm claims the EV layout has the interior space of a large saloon in a compact car footprint. It says we can expect to see a "slim and sleek instrument panel" and a new modular environment with built-in storage.