Key Points
- The MY27 Renault Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine opens for orders in Australia on 28 October 2026 at $55,990 plus on-road costs, with showroom arrivals due in the first half of 2027.
- A new 67kWh lithium iron phosphate battery lifts claimed WLTP range to 480km, while peak DC charging rises to 165kW and AC charging to 11kW.
- Private buyers who pay a $200 online deposit before 31 December 2026 and take delivery get a 7kW home charging adaptor valued at $749 RRP.
Renault Australia has opened order books for the MY27 Renault Megane E-Tech electric hatch as of today. It is sold in one grade only, the flagship Esprit Alpine, at $55,990 plus on-road costs. The updated Megane will arrive in dealerships in the first half of 2027.
The Megane E-Tech returns to local showrooms after a brief hiatus, replacing the original version with a significantly updated model. It gains a new battery chemistry, more capacity, faster charging, vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and Google built-in. It is also the first time the Esprit Alpine grade has been offered on the Megane E-Tech in Australia.
Item | Price (RRP, plus on-road costs) |
Renault Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine | $55,990 |
Metallic paint | +$900 |
Two-tone paint | +$1,100 |
Matte paint | +$1,300 |
Renault lists four single-colour options: Flame Red, Diamond Black, Night Blue and Shadow Grey. Diamond Black, Night Blue and Shadow Grey are marked as metallic. Flame Red is not.
Four two-tone combinations are available: Flame Red with a Diamond Black roof, Diamond Black with a Shadow Grey roof, Night Blue with a Diamond Black roof, and Shadow Grey with a Diamond Black roof. Two matte finishes, Shadow Grey Matte and Slate Blue Matte, both come with a Diamond Black roof.
Buyers who plan to fund the car through their employer can request a novated lease quote below.
Get a novated lease quote
Launch offer: free 7kW home charging adaptor
Renault has attached a limited-time offer to the order launch. Private buyers who place a $200 online deposit before 31 December 2026, then complete the purchase and take delivery, will receive a 7kW home charging adaptor. Renault values it at $749 RRP.
Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey said the brand is opening books early to allocate cars fairly across its dealer network. He said this should reduce waiting times and get buyers into their cars sooner. He also said the Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine is part of a model line-up revitalisation that Renault announced earlier this year.
Battery, range and charging
The maximum battery capacity rises from 60kWh to 67kWh. The chemistry changes from nickel manganese cobalt to lithium iron phosphate. Together, the new chemistry and larger pack lift claimed WLTP range from 454km to up to 480km.
Spec | Outgoing Megane E-Tech | MY27 Esprit Alpine |
Battery capacity | 60kWh | 67kWh |
Battery chemistry | Nickel manganese cobalt | Lithium iron phosphate |
WLTP range (claimed) | 454km | Up to 480km |
Motor output | 125kW / 280Nm | 160kW / 300Nm |
Peak DC charging | 130kW | 165kW |
Peak AC charging | 7.4kW | 11kW |
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) | Not offered | Standard |
Renault says a 15 to 80 per cent DC charge takes approximately 24 minutes at the 165kW peak. AC charging rises from 7.4kW to 11kW. The car also gains V2L capability, a first for a Renault model locally.
Specs and dimensions
The Esprit Alpine uses a single front-mounted electric motor driving the front wheels. Renault claims 0 to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.
Spec | Renault Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine |
Motor output | 160kW / 300Nm |
Driven wheels | Front |
Battery | 67kWh (lithium iron phosphate) |
Claimed range | Up to 480km (WLTP) |
Peak charging | 165kW DC, 11kW AC |
DC charge time, 15 to 80 per cent | Approximately 24 minutes |
0 to 100km/h (claimed) | 7.6 seconds |
Length | 4,200mm |
Width (excluding mirrors) | 1,782mm |
Height | 1,519mm |
Wheelbase | 2,685mm |
Turning circle | 10.4 metres |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 440L (rear seats up) to 1,332L (rear seats stowed) |
Design and styling
The MY27 car adopts Renault's latest styling themes. The front end gets a new LED daytime running light signature, new LED headlights and a new front bumper. It also gets new tail-lights and redesigned 20-inch Esprit Alpine wheels.
Alpine grille treatment and badging, LED fog lights, puddle lamps and rear privacy glass are also standard.
Google built-in and technology
The infotainment system moves to a 12-inch vertical touchscreen with Google Automotive Services built in. A 12.3-inch widescreen digital instrument display sits behind the wheel. Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported.
The system uses embedded Google Gemini AI so the car acts as an assistant rather than only a navigation aid. By voice, a driver can ask it to navigate to an appointment in their calendar, check flight delays on the way to an airport pick-up, or find a nearby car wash. Occupants can also search for restaurants, parking stations or late-night chemists.
For an EV, Renault says the system can forecast driving range, plan convenient recharging points on long trips, and show how busy nearby chargers are. Renault has not said which Gemini features will be active on Australian cars at launch.
Other technology changes include:
- Nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio with five sound modes: Studio, Concert, Immersion, Lounge and Club.
- Over-the-air update capability, as on the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
- Face ID driver recognition, which recalls the driver's seat and mirror settings.
- A One Pedal driving mode for more responsive deceleration and improved energy recovery, plus steering wheel paddles for regenerative braking.
- Four Multi-Sense driving modes.
- Remote services through the MyRenault app, a wireless smartphone charger and DAB+ digital radio.
French composer Jean Michel Jarre composed the pedestrian warning sound the car emits at low speeds, such as in shopping centre car parks.
Standard equipment
The Esprit Alpine is the only grade, so all equipment below is standard.
Exterior and lighting
- 20-inch Esprit Alpine alloy wheels
- LED headlights with adaptive lighting and automatic high beam, LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lights
- Alpine grille treatment and badging
- Auto-folding, heated, power-adjustable side mirrors with memory
- Puddle lamps, rear privacy glass, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
- Hands-free keycard entry
Interior and comfort
- Esprit Alpine sports seats in synthetic leather and cloth with Alpine stitching
- Six-way power adjustment for the driver and front passenger, with memory and massage functions for the driver
- Heated steering wheel and heated front seats
- Alloy sports pedals and 60/40-split folding rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control with pre-conditioning, and a heat pump
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 48-colour interior ambient lighting
- Two USB-C ports in the front, two in the rear and one 12V socket in the front
Safety features
Renault lists seven airbags (front, side, curtain and front-centre) as standard. Active Driver Assist, Emergency Stop Assist, the 360-degree camera, hands-free parking and the occupant safe exit warning are all included. Renault did not mention an ANCAP rating for the MY27 car in its release.
- Active Driver Assist: adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and lane centring
- Emergency Stop Assist
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, motorcycle and junction detection
- Rear autonomous emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind spot warning and intervention
- Lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping
- Speed-sign recognition and driver attention and distraction warning
- Occupant safe exit door warning
- 360-degree surround-view camera
- Front, side and rear parking sensors, and hands-free parking assistance
How it compares with similarly priced rivals
At $55,990 plus on-road costs, the Esprit Alpine competes with the small electric SUVs that sit between about $50,000 and $60,000. The table compares it with three of them. Prices are RRP before on-road costs, and the grades differ in equipment.
Spec | Renault Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine | Kia EV3 Earth Long Range | Volvo EX30 Ultra Single Motor | Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range |
Price (before on-road costs) | $55,990 | $58,600 | $54,990 | About $60,000 (estimate) |
Battery | 67kWh LFP | 81.4kWh usable | About 64kWh | About 64.8kWh |
WLTP range | 480km | 563km | 480km | 505km |
Power | 160kW | 150kW | 200kW | 150kW |
Peak DC charging | 165kW | 128kW | 153kW | 100kW |
Peak AC charging | 11kW | 10.5kW | 11kW | 11kW |
Boot (rear seats up) | 440L | 460L | 318L | 407L |
V2L | Yes | Yes (3.6kW) | Not confirmed | Yes |
The Megane E-Tech is $1,000 more than the Volvo EX30 Ultra Single Motor and matches its 480km claimed range. It charges faster on DC, at 165kW against 153kW, but has less power and a larger boot.
The Kia EV3 Earth Long Range costs $2,610 more and claims 83km more range from a bigger battery. Its DC charging peak of 128kW is well below the Renault's 165kW. The Megane E-Tech has more power and a faster DC peak than the Hyundai Kona Electric, whose 100kW peak is the lowest in this group.
Among the four, the Megane E-Tech has the fastest DC charging peak. Its 480km claimed range, which it shares with the EX30, is the shortest in the group.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
