Renault opens Australian orders for MY27 Megane E-Tech Esprit Alpine from $55,990

Orders open for the returning Megane E-Tech

Renault Australia has opened the order books for the updated MY27 Megane E-Tech, priced from $55,990 plus on-road costs, with the electric hatchback due back in local showrooms in the first half of 2027 after a brief hiatus. As GoAuto reports, the model returns in a single flagship Esprit Alpine grade, replacing the previous Techno variant, and represents a $1000 increase over the outgoing car's most recent list price of $54,990. It is the first time the Esprit Alpine grade has been offered on the Megane E-Tech in Australia. ¹⁸⁴⁷

Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey said in a press release carried by CarExpert that the car forms part of a model line-up revitalisation announced earlier in the year, and that the brand is opening the order books early to allocate cars fairly across the dealer network and minimise waiting times. Torquecafe notes the outgoing Megane E-Tech had been in run-out with the brand's earlier $49,990 drive-away promotion ended and most paint options sold out. ⁴⁶

Customers can place a $200 deposit through the Renault Australia website or at a dealership, with CarSauce reporting order books opened on 28 October 2026. Renault's own website lists the car with a live deposit function and notes that vehicle production and delivery lead times of up to 12 months apply. ⁵⁷³

New LFP battery, more range and faster charging

The headline mechanical change is the battery: the previous 60kWh nickel manganese cobalt pack gives way to a 67kWh lithium iron phosphate unit, lifting claimed driving range from 454km to up to 480km on the WLTP test cycle, as detailed by GoAuto and Zecar. Peak DC charging rises from 130kW to 165kW and AC charging from 7.4kW to 11kW. Vehicle-to-load capability, allowing external devices to be powered from the battery, becomes standard and is described by Zecar as a first for a Renault model in Australia. ¹⁸⁴⁵

The front-mounted electric motor is unchanged at 160kW and 300Nm driving the front wheels, with Renault claiming 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds. Renault's Australian website also quotes the powertrain as 220hp and highlights adjustable regenerative braking via steering-wheel paddles, including a one-pedal driving mode. ¹⁵³⁸

One detail differs between sources: GoAuto attributes the approximately 24-minute 15-to-80 per cent DC charge time to the new 165kW peak, while Renault Australia's own site footnote states the figure is based on charging using a 130kW DC charger, with charging times varying depending on charger type and condition, battery temperature and other conditions. Renault's page has not stated a usable capacity figure for the 67kWh pack, so only the maximum capacity should be treated as confirmed. ¹³

CarExpert reports Renault Australia backs the car with a five-year, 100,000km vehicle warranty plus an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty, and has yet to announce servicing pricing. On safety certification, CarExpert notes the Megane E-Tech holds a five-star ANCAP rating based on 2022 testing, while Zecar points out Renault did not mention an ANCAP rating for the MY27 car in its release, so the rating's applicability to the updated model is not established by the manufacturer. ⁴⁸

Revised styling and a Google built-in cabin

Styling changes include a new LED daytime running light signature, new LED headlights, a restyled front bumper with gloss-black detailing, revised tail-lights and redesigned 20-inch Esprit Alpine alloy wheels, with Alpine grille treatment and badging standard. CarExpert describes the look as more closely aligned with the newer Scenic E-Tech sold above it. ¹⁸⁴⁷

Inside, the previous 9.0-inch touchscreen makes way for a 12-inch vertical unit running Google built-in, with embedded Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play, alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Renault's Australian site confirms the openR link system with Google Gemini voice control and notes connected Google services are provided free for five years from delivery. Zecar reports Renault has not said which Gemini features will be active on Australian cars at launch. ¹⁵³⁸⁴

Esprit Alpine equipment includes power-adjustable sports front seats with driver memory and massage, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a heat pump, nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio and 48-colour ambient lighting. Renault's Australian site says the driver recognition system can store nine settings, covering the seat, mirrors, ambient lighting, air-conditioning, volume and audio source, paired phone, Google account and favourite apps, driving aids and driving mode. ³¹⁴⁸

Expanded driver assistance includes Active Driver Assist with stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane centring, Emergency Stop Assist, a 360-degree surround-view camera, hands-free parking and safe-exit warning. ¹⁴⁸

Launch offer and paint options

Renault's pre-order offer, detailed on its own offers page, gives private retail buyers a free FoxESS L-series 7kW wall charger valued at $749 RRP if they place a $200 online deposit by 31 December 2026 and subsequently complete the purchase and take delivery. The charger is supplied within 31 business days after vehicle delivery; installation is excluded, must be carried out by a licensed electrician at the customer's cost, and fleet, government and rental buyers are excluded. Placing a deposit does not guarantee purchase, which is subject to availability and entry into a contract with a Renault dealer. ²³⁵

Paint choices comprise Flame Red as the standard finish, metallic options in Diamond Black, Night Blue and Shadow Grey at $900, two-tone combinations at $1100 and two matte two-tone finishes at $1300, all recommended retail prices on top of the list price, which excludes on-road costs. CarExpert notes Rafale Grey has been removed from the palette. ⁵⁴¹⁷

Where it sits in the compact EV field

Zecar's comparison places the $55,990 Esprit Alpine against similarly priced compact electric SUVs: the Kia EV3 Earth Long Range at $58,600 with an 81.4kWh battery, 563km WLTP range and 128kW DC peak; the Volvo EX30 Ultra Single Motor at $54,990 with about 64kWh, 480km claimed range and 153kW DC; and the Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range at an estimated $60,000 with about 64.8kWh, 505km range and a 100kW DC peak. On those figures the Megane has the fastest DC charging peak in the group but shares the shortest claimed range with the EX30. CarSauce's rival table uses different Kia, Volvo and MG4 grades and figures, so cross-model comparisons vary between outlets depending on the grades chosen. ⁸⁵

The car measures 4200mm long, 1782mm wide, 1519mm high on a 2685mm wheelbase, with a 440-litre boot expanding to 1332 litres and a 10.4-metre turning circle. Renault classifies it locally as a hatchback, though CarExpert notes it is categorised as a small SUV under VFACTS. All prices quoted are manufacturer's recommended list prices excluding on-road costs, and Renault's site cautions that overseas models are shown and Australian specifications should be confirmed with a dealer. ¹⁸⁴³