Electric vehicles have extra weight due to the batteries installed, but the mass is usually very low in the car to keep the center of gravity close to the road. This is the case with the Renault Mégane E-Tech crossover, which recently passed the moose test. It’s not clear if the weight was a factor in the results, but it certainly showed a tendency to be a bit unpredictable at higher speeds.
As always, 77 km/h (48 mph) is the target speed for the test. It simulates back-to-back emergency lane-change maneuvers like you suddenly have to dodge a moose in your lane, swerve, and then swerve to avoid oncoming traffic. To Renault’s credit, the electric Mégane E-Tech nearly hit the target speed. The driver cut a cone at the start of the test and cleared the rest. The reactions of the crossover during this first run were rated as stable and nearly neutral.
81 Pictures
This fastest successful run was slightly slower, at 74 km/h (46 mph). At this speed, the driver cleared all the cones and reported a similar feeling of neutrality in the way the Megane responded to steering commands, drifting slightly while remaining in control. Picking up speed, however, revealed surprising and unpredictable activity. One run saw the driver skid very heavily with a bit of oversteer, failing the test. Another attempt at 79 km/h (49 mph) saw the opposite, a healthy dose of understeer which led to another DNF.
Through it all, moderate body roll with a “filtered” steering feel was reported. This was also true for the slalom test, with an overall feeling of safety present at the wheel despite the unpredictable nature at higher speeds. Tire grip could be a contributing factor; it wears relatively narrow Goodyear EfficientGrip 215-45/20 tires in this particular setup. Grip was specifically mentioned as an issue throughout the slalom, although below the limit the crossover characteristics would have been smooth.
The Renault Megane E-Tech debuted in September 2021 for Europe with two configurations, offering 130 or 218 hp. With the larger battery, it has an estimated range of 292 miles on a charge.
Check out recent new vehicle launches from Ford, Ferrari and more in the ride on cars podcast, available below.
Electric vehicles have extra weight due to the batteries installed, but the mass is usually very low in the car to keep the center of gravity close to the road. This is the case with the Renault Mégane E-Tech crossover, which recently passed the moose test. It’s not clear if the weight was a factor in the results, but it certainly showed a tendency to be a bit unpredictable at higher speeds.
As always, 77 km/h (48 mph) is the target speed for the test. It simulates back-to-back emergency lane-change maneuvers like you suddenly have to dodge a moose in your lane, swerve, and then swerve to avoid oncoming traffic. To Renault’s credit, the electric Mégane E-Tech nearly hit the target speed. The driver cut a cone at the start of the test and cleared the rest. The reactions of the crossover during this first run were rated as stable and nearly neutral.
81 Pictures
This fastest successful run was slightly slower, at 74 km/h (46 mph). At this speed, the driver cleared all the cones and reported a similar feeling of neutrality in the way the Megane responded to steering commands, drifting slightly while remaining in control. Picking up speed, however, revealed surprising and unpredictable activity. One run saw the driver skid very heavily with a bit of oversteer, failing the test. Another attempt at 79 km/h (49 mph) saw the opposite, a healthy dose of understeer which led to another DNF.
Through it all, moderate body roll with a “filtered” steering feel was reported. This was also true for the slalom test, with an overall feeling of safety present at the wheel despite the unpredictable nature at higher speeds. Tire grip could be a contributing factor; it wears relatively narrow Goodyear EfficientGrip 215-45/20 tires in this particular setup. Grip was specifically mentioned as an issue throughout the slalom, although below the limit the crossover characteristics would have been smooth.
The Renault Megane E-Tech debuted in September 2021 for Europe with two configurations, offering 130 or 218 hp. With the larger battery, it has an estimated range of 292 miles on a charge.
Check out recent new vehicle launches from Ford, Ferrari and more in the ride on cars podcast, available below.