Renault Eyes a Hot-Hatch Revival With an Electrified Megane and Possibly the Return of RS
Renault is gearing up to inject some fire into the EV segment. The Megane E-Tech, until now a sensible and fairly conservative electric city car, is preparing for a hotter reincarnation both in looks and performance. And if whispers from inside the company prove true, the legendary RS badge could be poised for a comeback, a name long synonymous with the most thrilling Renaults ever built.
At the Munich Motor Show, CEO Fabrice Cambolive hinted to a select audience that the Megane E-Tech’s future will not be limited to its current urban commuter role. To make the car more enticing to buyers, a sportier version is in the works, featuring a larger battery pack and a more muscular stance.
Today, the range-topping Megane E-Tech comes with a 60 kWh battery good for up to 459 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. That figure falls short next to Renault’s own Scenic E-Tech, whose 87 kWh pack delivers up to 615 kilometers, and the next-generation Nissan Leaf, built on the same AmpR Medium platform, which is slated to use a 75 kWh battery and top 600 kilometers. All three share the same 218-horsepower front-drive motor.
But range alone will not justify a higher price tag. As Renault’s design chief Laurens van den Acker explained, the hotter Megane will also receive visual upgrades: more aggressive bumpers, larger wheels, and a stance that communicates hot-hatch attitude rather than just extra kilowatt-hours.
The debut of this spiced-up Megane E-Tech is expected within six to nine months. The real intrigue lies in whether it will wear the fabled RS badge. Cambolive has hinted at its revival, though he stopped short of confirming that Megane would be the chosen bearer. A few years ago, Renaultsport was shelved in favor of funneling performance efforts under the Alpine brand, leaving RS seemingly destined for history.
Now, however, it appears Renault is reluctant to let such an iconic name vanish. If the rebirth of RS happens on an all-electric Megane, it could mark the start of a fascinating new chapter in the hot-hatch legacy.
