Skip advert
Advertisement

‘The reveal of the Renault Megane eVision is hugely significant for the brand’

Deputy editor John McIlroy thinks Renault’s new boss Luca de Meo has a tough task ahead, but hit the mark with the new all-electric Renault Megane eVision

We’re big fans of Renault’s smaller cars here at Auto Express – as proven by the company’s recent New Car Awards victories for the Clio, Captur and Zoe. But we’ve been increasingly puzzled about what the firm plans to do with its larger models – vehicles like the Megane, increasingly marginalised against the likes of the VW Golf and Ford Focus, and the Kadjar, which looks ever-more-anonymous in the packed family SUV class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But now we can tell the first part of the new story, as Renault’s designers, led by Laurens van den Acker, have turned the Megane into a funky all-electric crossover.

This reveal is a hugely significant one – and not just because it shows the future of a badge with huge equity, including here in the UK. The Megane eVision was also the showstopper in the initial presentation (online only, naturally) from Renault’s new boss, former SEAT chief Luca de Meo, who has been tasked with bringing the French company up to the levels of success (and profit) currently being enjoyed by its local rival, Groupe PSA.

This will not be an easy task – not least because the French government itself has a share in Renault, making key decisions on factories and production sites potentially tricky. But de Meo is a former sales and marketing guy, and as such, he brings a strong understanding of brand strengths and what customers really want.

That’s obvious from the Megane eVision – a clear evolution of the current five-door hatch, but now in pure-electric SUV form – and the Dacia Spring, which was also revealed last week. Renault’s budget sub-brand traditionally has a razor-sharp focus on customer needs, and this baby electric SUV has enormous potential to shake up the EV market.

There’s no doubt de Meo and Renault still have plenty of challenges ahead of them. But this week’s news is an encouraging sign of how they plan to overcome them.

Click here to find out more about the all-electric Dacia Spring...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best ever popemobiles
Best ever popemobiles

The best ever popemobiles

For nearly 100 years Popes have had bespoke transport – here we chart the astonishing history of the popemobile
Best cars & vans
6 Dec 2024
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
Renault Embleme: hydrogen range-extender to get “next-generation platform”
Renault Embleme concept - front

Renault Embleme: hydrogen range-extender to get “next-generation platform”

First look inside Renault’s future EV as CEO Luca de Meo calls it a “masterpiece”
News
31 Oct 2024
Viva la Renaulution! Out-going Renault UK boss reveals brand's future plan
Renault brand future feature with out-going Renault UK boss Guillaume Sicard

Viva la Renaulution! Out-going Renault UK boss reveals brand's future plan

Out-going UK boss discusses laying the foundations for Renaulution
Features
29 Oct 2024

Most Popular

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships
Opinion - Jaguar

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships

Mike Rutherford thinks it's been a difficult few months for the British car industry
Opinion
8 Dec 2024
Skoda Elroq review
Skoda Elroq - front

Skoda Elroq review

The Skoda Elroq is even more appealing than the bigger Skoda Enyaq, and just as brilliant
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price
Ford Capri - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price

Ford’s Capri has been revived, this time as a family-friendly coupe-SUV. It’s our Deal of the Day for 8 December
News
8 Dec 2024