New 2020 Renault Megane facelift: prices confirmed

Renault has confirmed prices and specifications for the revised Megane range. The tweaked hatchback will go on sale in the UK this August, sporting a range of styling, interior and trim updates, as well as a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. Prices will start from £20,740 for the entry-level Iconic model, climbing to £36,495 for the flagship RS Trophy 300.

Renault has improved the Megane’s level of standard equipment across the board, separating the line-up into just two trim-levels. The entry-level Iconic model features 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, a rear parking camera, cruise control and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Inside, buyers get electric windows, automatic dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a comprehensive level of safety equipment, including traffic sign recognition, lane-departure warning and a speed limiter.

Prices for the sports-inspired Megane RS Line variant (which takes the place of the outgoing GT Line model) start from £22,140. For that, buyers get a set of 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and a sporty body kit, along with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a larger 9.3-inch infotainment system, a leather sports steering wheel and a reupholstered interior.

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Buyers also have their choice of two body styles. As standard, the Megane comes as a hatchback with a 434-litre boot – a figure which swells to 1,237 litres with the rear seats stowed. For an extra £1,500, though, buyers can spec their Megane as an estate, which increases its maximum carrying capacity to 1,695 litres.

Engines and performance

The biggest update for the Megane was Renault’s introduction of a new E-Tech plug-in hybrid variant. From launch, the powertrain will only be available on the Sport Tourer estate, with prices starting from £30,685. However, Renault has confirmed that a hatchback variant is due within the next couple of months.

The E-Tech hybrid uses the same powertrain used by the recently launched Captur crossover, which blends a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 9.8kWh battery pack and two electric motors – for a combined output of 158bhp and 340Nm of torque.

Renault says its new plug-in hybrid powertrain will give the Megane estate a 0–62mph 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 111mph. More importantly, the system returns a claimed 217.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, along with CO2 emissions as low as 30g/km and a maximum pure-electric range of 30 miles – or 40 miles in urban environments.

Buyers also have their choice of two conventional combustion engines. The entry-point is a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, which develops 138bhp and 240Nm of torque.

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It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but, for an extra £1,600, buyers can spec a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Both the manual and automatic variants share the same 127mph top speed, but the auto is 0.3 seconds quicker to 62mph, with a time of 9.2 seconds. As a trade-off, the manual is slightly more economical, with claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of 47.1mpg and emissions rating of 136g/km of CO2.

Above the petrol sits a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, with 113bhp and 260Nm of torque. It’s priced from £22,540 and also comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, although the same seven-speed automatic is offered as a £1,600 optional extra.

Due to the engine’s extra weight and lower power, its 0–62mph time and top speed are less impressive at 11.1 seconds and 118mph respectively. However, the diesel has a much improved fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg and far lower emissions rating of 117g/km of CO2, which should make it a more attractive purchase to company car buyers.

Renault Megane RS 300 hot hatchback

Renault has also tweaked the Megane RS 300 hot hatchback, to keep it competitive with the Ford Focus ST and Hyundai i30 N. Prices start from £30,895 for the entry-level variant and climb to £36,495 for the range-topping, dual-clutch automatic Trophy model.

Previously, the 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine was offered in two power outputs. Now, the lesser 276bhp version has been dropped, and both standard and Trophy models offer the same 296bhp output. Torque stays at 400Nm for cars equipped with a six-speed manual, while dual clutch automatic versions get an 10Nm more than before, with 420Nm.

The RS Trophy is now priced from £34,995 and adds further focus over the base-model. Beyond the standard RS, spring rates have increased by 25 front and 30 at the rear, while the rollbar is 10 per cent stiffer. A Torsen limited-slip differential also helps to deploy the power to the road more effectively, while the four-wheel steering set-up is carried over.

Like the old model, the Megane RS is also available with a broad range of optional extras, including an opening panoramic sunroof (£1,000), Alcantara-trimmed Recaro seats (£1,600), an Alcantara steering wheel (£250), 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels (£800) and heated front seats (£350).

What do you make of the updated Renault Megane range? Let us know in the comments section below…