PETROL BACK IN THE FRAME FOR SCENIC AND MEGANE

PHEV or range-extender options could be offered alongside future EVs

- WILL RIMELL

Renault could bring back petrol-powered versions of the Megane and Scenic after bosses confirmed it is readying a new multi-fuel platform that will underpin the next generation of its C-segment (mid-sized) cars.

While it has been created predominantly as an EV platform, Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive said it has also been designed to house plug-in hybrid and range-extender powertrains.

This is because “if [sales of EVs] are not so rapid as expected, perhaps you can complete this EV pace with some extensions like a range-extender or plug-in hybrid, and that’s what we are working on”, he said.

The launch date for the new platform is likely to be around 2030, he suggested.