Difficult to obtain the WLTP autonomy announced by the manufacturer. Can we already reach the one displayed by the vehicle following a full charge? Max Freyss wanted to test Renault Megane EV60 220 hp Super Charge Techno on this subject.
The model tested
The electric Renault Megane at our disposal embeds a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy capacity of 60 kWh, formed with 288 LG Chem cells of the NMC type (nickel manganese cobalt), divided into 12 modules. The pack powers a compact wound-rotor synchronous motor where the magnet has been replaced with copper.
The manufacturer explains this choice by the desire not to use rare earth and the search for better efficiency. The block develops a power of 160 kW (220 hp), for a maximum torque of 300 Nm. Dressed in its standard Glacier White colour, our Megane E-Tech Super Charge benefits from the mid-range Techno finish.
Its endowment is improved by the packs Augmented Vision (blind spot warning, 360 degree camera, rear collision warning with emergency braking, speed cameras all around the vehicle, etc.) and Advanced driving assist (adaptive cruise control, security when opening the rear doors, etc.) charged at 1,700 euros a set. The heat pump, on the other hand, is absent.
410 km of autonomy before departure
Renault credits the electric Mégane at our disposal with a range of 438 km. After a full recharge, the dashboard is a little less generous: 410 km. ” We’ll see if we can do them “says Max Freyss. To achieve this, he will drive in Eco mode, drive smoothly by favoring progressive accelerations, respect speed limits, use the speed limiter and the paddles behind the steering wheel.
These allow you to play on the power of regeneration. In an interview he gave us, our Moselle reader Christophe estimated around 1.5 kWh/100 km the gain in consumption by using the system correctly.
Thus, by driving by default “ with the regenerative brake at a minimum, or even freewheeling, and intensifying it to slow down or regulate your speed on descents, without having to press the brake pedal “. What needs to be much more proactive in driving ».
Do you want to play pallets?
Driving on national and departmental roads in Eco mode with the Mégane E-Tech is rather pleasant: “ You don’t feel restrained at all by this mode, unlike other electric cars. It is very suitable for everyday driving and allows easy overtaking when needed. ».
Proper use of the regeneration paddles requires time to adapt to activate them at the right times. ” For me, it’s a plus to have this system which, when mastered correctly, saves a few precious kilowatt hours on consumption. The long-term gains are not negligible », estimate Max Freyss.
He regrets the absence of a One-Pedal system, possibly by continuously pressing the left paddle, to go as far as immobilizing the vehicle by simply lifting his foot from the accelerator and without activating the brake pedal.
The test was carried out under a favorable temperature of 16° C, weather oscillating between clouds and rain, and the heating/air conditioning device set at 20° C in Eco mode.
On charge!
In its Super Charge version, the Mégane E-Tech has a 7 kW AC charger. To make the most of the alternating current terminals installed in public spaces, in particular by the departmental energy unions, opt for the Optimum Charge version invoiced at an additional €1,500. With it, the power increases to 22 kW, as on the Zoé since its release ten years ago.
At high-speed stations in direct current, Renault promises a flow of up to 130 kW. ” Which is correct, without being very high. In any case not at the level of Let’s EV6 et Hyundai Ioniq 5. In addition, the charging curve is not very good, and we quickly find ourselves at much lower levels », Details Max Freyss.
In the EV60 220 hp Super Charge Techno configuration, the Losange’s electric compact is currently displayed on its website at €43,200 including tax, or €44,900 with the options present on the model tested. This makes her eligible for the bonus of 6,000 euros.
A push of buttons
If, like our videographer, you are used to the uncluttered interior of a Tesla Model 3 or its declension in SUV Model Ythe abundance of buttons and controls behind the steering wheel on the Mégane E-Tech may confuse you, and even frankly displease you.
« There, we have 4 conveniences. It’s too much: we simply do not find ourselves there. They are full of extra buttons, as well as on the spokes of the steering wheel. And to change music, there is a wheel behind a switch. It lacks simplicity and ergonomics. With the pallets and more, it’s too much “, he judges.
On the other hand, he appreciates the row of two 12-inch digital screens: ” They are well integrated into the car, look quite nice and work well. We have a rather practical GPS reminder behind the wheel. And above all some interesting information on the right, including the instantaneous and average consumption which is displayed in a small window. It helped me a lot to choose the level of regenerative braking best suited to the situation, because you can immediately see how much you recover and if you consume more when it is fully activated. ».
First results at half time
While our electric Mégane has a battery level of 49%, consumption amounts to 14.8 kWh/100 km, for 188.7 km traveled at an average speed of 40.6 km/h. It still promises 197 km of autonomy. ” On the last percent, from 50 to 49%, I lost 13 km in 200 meters, trying to park “, reports Max Freyss.
By adding the figures (197 + 188.7 km), we find, by rounding up to the next kilometer, 386 km. At this stage, we are 24 km below the estimate of the vehicle before departure, and 52 km from the range communicated by the manufacturer. However, it is when we approach the energy blackout that we will be able to confirm these differences or not.
By falling below the threshold of 100 km of estimated range, the battery is at 21% energy. The average consumption has improved a little: 14.2 kWh/100 km, for a distance traveled of 306 km.
Yellow, red and flashing
From 7% of energy, and regarding 38 km of autonomy available, the pictogram which represents the battery and the indication of the level in percentage, at the bottom and on the left of the screen dedicated to the instrumentation, switch to yellow to attract the driver’s attention. With 3% now indicated in red, the pictogram flashes, and the indication of the range of action has disappeared, replaced by a succession of 3 dashes.
At this stage, Max Freyss reduced the speed, and cut off as many of the less useful electrical consumers as possible, including maintaining the temperature in the passenger compartment: ” It’s not a really pleasant feeling to know that you can break down at any moment. ».
It is dark at this point, however, and the dipped beam headlights must have been activated. However, the Megane E-Tech was able to return to the starting point following a half-turn at 49% battery. The dashboard displays 1%.
392,5 km
Consumption fell a little further, with 14.2 kWh / 100 km, for 392.5 km swallowed at an average of 46.4 km / h (+ 5.8 km / h compared to the outward journey). We covered 17.5 km less than the estimate given by the vehicle at the start, and 45.5 km compared to the WLTP figures.
Our videographer had fun pushing a big acceleration in Sport mode, imagining that the electric Mégane would be limited with only 1% of energy in the battery. Not even : ” I feel like the full power of the car is still there. There may still be around twenty kilometers left under the hood. “. In this case, the 410 km announced by the vehicle at the end of recharging would be reached, and we would only be regarding 25 km away from the WLTP range.
« An average consumption of 14 kWh/100, it is very correct for this vehicle. We might go even lower by making better use of the regeneration paddles on the steering wheel. A range of 392.5 km with the Mégane is reassuring on this kind of route concludes Max Freyss.
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