Renault Megane 4 RS 280 vs Renault 5 E-Tech Electric 150: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Megane 4 RS 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.80 s versus 8.12 s for the 5 E-Tech Electric 150. Despite lacking instant torque, 280 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Megane 4 RS 280 leads by 2.32 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 is doing 138 km/h against 117 km/h for the 5 E-Tech Electric 150. The gap is 1.33 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Megane 4 RS 280 crosses the line in 13.86 s versus 16.13 s. The 2.27 s gap represents roughly 86 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 finishes in 24.70 s versus 30.62 s, with a 5.92 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Megane 4 RS 280 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 5 E-Tech Electric 150 at 150 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.23 seconds. The 2.32 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.