Renault reveals two new electric vehicles

Groupe Renault has unveiled two new electric vehicles in Paris at an event which offered a chink of light in the current landscape. Firstly, it was a physical event, which is encouraging in itself, but more importantly the brand bolstered its eco-friendly electric portfolio. Renault’s newly-appointed chief executive Luca de Meo (formerly of Seat) introduced the first of the two cars.

The electric Renault Megane eVision is based on a newly developed modular platform, dubbed CMF-EV. This will be the underpinning of new electric models across the company’s range, with the Megane leading the charge.

“It is a model aimed at the heart of the European market and engineered to seduce millions of customers,” says de Meo. “It’s a C-segment hatchback, by far the most popular size and shape in Europe.”

The exterior of the electric Megane is sleek and modern. Lighting detail catches the eye at the front, with many vertical LED strips lined-up like dominoes across the face to meet the logo. A similar LED strip also stretches the width of the rear.

This linear pattern is also used on the glossy plastic bumpers all around the car. There are also triangular shapes sitting on top of the bumper where the air intakes would normally be, underlining the two front headlamps. These are also present at the rear, tying together the overall feel of the car.

From the side, the Megane eVision takes influence from larger vehicles with chunky rear wheel haunches, small windows and an edgy lower bumper section. Details such as the flush door handles and small wing mirrors are subtle, but ensure a modern, minimalist feel.

Images and footage of the interior is yet to be released, and while the Megane eVision shown at the event is easy on the eye, it is not quite yet ready for production. However, de Meo says that the actual production version will be very close in design and technologies.

The Dacia Spring was also shown at the event, presented by Denis Le Vot, executive vice president of regions, sales and marketing and member of the group executive committee at Renault. The model was previously due to be shown in concept form at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, but was instead carried out digitally due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A glimpse at the side of the Spring brings to mind the Citroen Cactus, but the front and rear are very Dacia-like. Design details are kept simple, and the shape is very familiar – very different from the futuristic and edgy-looking Megane eVision.

The Spring will first be made available through Renault’s carsharing service Zity, which is currently active in Paris and Madrid.