Renault Megane ETech EV gets facelift, 310-mile range

Renault has unveiled a comprehensive update for its Megane ETech Electric hatchback, introducing a new design, increased range, and faster charging for the 2026 model year. The facelift marks a significant midlife refresh for the company's first production electric vehicle built on a dedicated platform, aiming to keep it competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

The most substantial technical upgrade is the replacement of the previous 60 kWh battery with a new 67 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack. This change increases the car's maximum WLTP range to approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers), up from 285 miles. The new battery also enables faster DC charging, with peak power rising to 165 kW. Renault states this allows for a 15 to 80 percent recharge in around 24 minutes, roughly a quarter quicker than before.

The powertrain itself remains unchanged, utilizing a front-mounted electric motor producing 217 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The larger battery adds a small amount of weight, resulting in a marginal increase in the zero to 62 mph time, now 7.6 seconds. To compensate for the battery's physical size, engineers raised the vehicle's ride height by 20 millimeters and...