2021 Renault Megane Facelift Spied Testing New Engines, Possible EV

Following the lead set by the Kadjar or the new Clio, the Megane compact will receive cosmetic updates soon. Our spies in Southern Europe have managed to snap photos of several prototypes one of which seems to have no exhaust system at all.

We wouldn't be surprised to see a full EV version of the car, although, without a bespoke platform and a suitably large battery, it would be about as successful as the VW e-Golf. The other two test cars had exhaust systems, provisional ones which hint at powertrain development/testing.

Due to WLTP, Renault has had to add new engines even before the facelift. So, for example, diesel versions now have a 1.7-liter configuration, just like the Kadjar. In 2018, the French also changed the 1.5 dCi and installed the 1.3 TCe in place of the old 1.2.

So what's missing? Not a lot. Both versions of the Megane GT need updating. We even have photos of what the facelift is going to look like, thanks to one of them. The petrol-powered model should go from a 1.6 to a 1.8 while gaining 20 HP. As for the diesel, Renault now has a 2-liter diesel, which it didn't have ready back in 2015 when the GT dCi launched with a bi-turbo 1.6. But a diesel powerhouse isn't important for the Megane, at least not as much as the hybrid.

Renault promised every model will have one of those, and it started with the Clio. We honestly don't know what to expect, but it could even be a range-extended EV like Nissan has.

Cosmetically, we see refreshed bumpers and a small transition for the lights. The interior should also benefit from new textures, colors and phone connectivity. Expect the Megane facelift to debut at the end of 2019.