Renault Megane review

[Seansene]

While the Megane II hatch has been generating love-hate views over its rear end styling, its sister sedan - sorry, Sports Saloon - has quietly slipped in almost un-noticed. The car is built on the new C platform - jointly developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which means that the platform will also underpin the next Sunny. It's handsome enough, with taut surfacing and crisp edges. Taking the many body styles into account from the start means that the boot flows as a natural accompaniment to the rest of the car, rather than a hasty add-on that other hatch-turned-sedans are guilty of.

 

Although the faces are identical, the two body styles diverge from aft of the front doors. For one, the wheelbase is stretched by 61mm over the five door to a barely believable 2686mm, surely the longest in this class. That's 16mm longer than a JDM Accord's for goodness' sake! In addition, the boot is also larger than its predecessor at 520 litres, again class-leading and matching that of the Skoda Octavia without the latter's envelope-sized rear vision. And all this with a full-sized spare - kudos, Renault!

 

In actual use, the rear is spacious, if not as gargantuan as its wheelbase suggests. Certainly it gives the Civic a good fight for greatest legroom, although the front seats could be mounted slightly higher to allow feet to slip under comfortably. The seats themselves are comfortable, and provide good support for the lower back and head. Storage space abounds everywhere, and if you're not careful, you could lose track of where you placed that darn cashcard - in the door pockets, armrest pockets, chilled glove compartment, centre console, rear centre armrest, rear screen compartment,or even the underfloor storage areas... whew.

 

As with all Renaults sold here, the Megane comes with factory-fitted single cd-player, which allows for remote audio controls at the steering wheel, and an eye-level display at the top of the dash. The other controls are simple and logical, but of course I wasn't interested in them. My primary concern was the driving interface. So where's the key?

 

As it turns out, there isn't one, not in the traditional sense at least. Like its bigger brother (or sister) the Laguna, the Megane gets a card-operated keyless entry and ignition system. Which means you get in, slot in the card, and press the start button to fire up the engine. Pretty cool, but I'm not sure how long it will take for the novelty to wear out.

 

Release the aircraft-style handbrake and let's go. We tried the 1.6l auto, which has a tiptronic-type over-ride. For a VVT engine with a claimed 115bhp, it doesn't feel that powerful, sweet or eager. Possibly because the max torque isn't anything to shout about at 152Nm, or that it's generated at a high-ish 4200rpm, or that it wasn't run-in yet. Or maybe because it's an auto... the manual was only available for pre-booked tests, so I guess we'll find out later. Whatever the case, progress is decent, and shifts are smooth.

 

My first impression of the steering is that of lightness, but being speed-sensitive, the weight builds up as the numbers climb. Unfortunately, feel is not there, so you never quite know what the front wheels are doing. Okay, this problem afficts just about every other car in the class, but I'd like to see someone other than Ford and Alfa providing feedback in this very important dynamic area.

 

Hustling the Renault down some windy roads reveals a chassis that's safe, if not overly enthusiastic. Where it really shines is in the refinement of the suspension, which is simply top-rate. The Megane can roll over small speed humps without stopping for breath, and with the passengers hardly noticing, such is the suppleness of its ride, and the tuning of the dampers. A retracing of the same route later in my Focus revealed a less relaxed, if more precise drive. So unless you're trying for a lap record in the Renault, you won't get anything but nods of approval from the spouse and kiddies.

 

Another area that the family-minded will pay close attention to is safety. The only car in it's class to acheive a five-star rating in the benchmark EuroNCAP crash tests, the Megane has two-stage airbag activation, as well as a weight sensor that adjusts the aggressiveness of the airbag. Deactivation of the passenger airbag is also a doddle, requiring just a turn of a switch at the driver's door. In addition to its remarkable airbag count, it also features separate load limiters on the lap and diagonal sections of the seat belts, and ISOFIX anchorages on the rear outer seats and front passenger seat. Full marks here.

 

At $82,888 for the manual, the new Renault is priced very competitively. I cannot understand why they charge $5k more for the auto though, other than to fleece 90% of car buyers. It's completely laden with kit (such as cruise control, sensor-controlled automatic wipers and headlamps, as well as rear and side blinds), has an excellent safety record, and serves the role of a spacious, comfortable ride with aplomp. Anyone looking for a 1.6 car without considering the Megane is a fool indeed.

Edited October 8, 2003 by Seansene

[Jazziegirl]

great review!!!

 

almost as good as if i had been there myself!

[Jman888]

but i thought you were there

[Super7]

she's there yet she's not there.............. i olso blur liao........... hey, JZG, was it you who sat behind Sean, or it's someone else in your body?? .......

 

i thoroughly enjoyed Sean's driving/testing......... it's like a warm-up stage in WRC... scaled back about 80%......

Edited October 8, 2003 by Super7

[Jman888]

"My first impression of the steering is that of lightness, but being speed-sensitive, the weight builds up as the numbers climb. Unfortunately, feel is not there, so you never quite know what the front wheels are doing."

 

Has the same feeling too

 

"So unless you're trying for a lap record in the Renault, you won't get anything but nods of approval from the spouse and kiddies."

 

I cannot understand why they charge $5k more for the auto though....

 

Auto is $3K more, but for secured COE $85,888 for manual and $88,888 for auto

 

Anyone looking for a 1.6 car without considering the Megane is a fool indeed.

 

or anyone who is thinking of changing [sly]

Edited October 8, 2003 by Jman888

[Seansene]

Trouble is, WRC stages don't have other cars coming straight towards you

[Seansene]

"Auto is $3K more, but for secured COE $85,888 for manual and $88,888 for auto"

 

Ah... that's better then. Thanks for the clearup!

[Super7]

did you take a glance at the SE's expression when you drove thru the bends in the rain at that speed??.......... maybe her face went pale.........

Edited October 8, 2003 by Super7

[Seansene]

Of course not! How else could I concentrate on driving?

 

Same answer if you ask me how fast I was going

[Super7]

i think we should block both ends of that stretch and have our own mini WRC stage One there one nite between 3-4am....... onz??!!

[King]

but the price left mush to be desires....

[Seansene]

Onz lah! Then I can drive without fear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't think the residents will be too happy though

[Super7]

i think we better go recce rubber plantations in MY to find suitable tracks.....

 

tonite i go play CM2..... to cure the urge for rally driving....

Edited October 8, 2003 by Super7

[Seansene]

Put it this way, for about the price of a Civic, you get levels of safety and kit better than even Camry or Accord, and a relatively spacious interior. I'd call it a good buy

Edited October 8, 2003 by Seansene

[King]

u r right

but i dun like the shape

[Seansene]

So you're not going to bother with CMR3?

[Jman888]

i think we should block both ends of that stretch and have our own mini WRC stage One there one nite between 3-4am....... onz??!!

 

you can block cars but monkey come out at night almost ran into two yesterday

[Mmythos]

Comes with tv?