Renault aims high with new Megane

Sep 10 2008 Steve Hughes

Renault aims high with new Megane

RENAULT has revealed the new Megane model, which the French firm says will beat its German rivals on all counts.

Whilst French companies such as Renault and Citroen have traditionally worked on the basis of 'pile ?em high and sell ?em cheap? this philosophy is coming to an end.

The car makers now believe that selling fewer vehicles at higher premiums because of their sheer quality is the way forward, which is why Citroen is promoting its latest models as being German cars that are made in France.

Now Renault is adopting the same stance with its latest Megane, which it says will surpass the standards of even the benchmark Volkswagen Golf in terms of build quality.

Company boss Carlos Ghosn, who has dramatically transformed the fortunes of sister company Nissan, has decreed that the new Megane must raise the bar in terms of compact car status.

The first hatchback models go on sale in November and within a couple of years the range will be expanded to encompass half a dozen different versions including coupes and coupe cabriolets.

The dCi 85 and dCi 105 engines will be joined by the dCi 90 and the particulate filter-equipped dCi 110. Each of these engines emits less than 120g/km of CO2, while the new dCi 130 has a CO2 figure of 135g/km.

The engine line-up will soon be extended to include the dCi 160 coupled with a manual gearbox and the dCi 150 mated to an automatic transmission.

The petrol range will comprise the 1.6-litre 100bhp and 110bhp units plus the 2.0-litre 140bhp and TCe 180 with the former having a six-speed manual gearbox initially and a continuously variable system added later.

Renault's latest petrol engine, the TCe 130 will also be added in the spring of 2009. This 1.4-litre engine has the power of a 1.8-litre unit and the torque of a 2.0 yet its CO2 emissions are less than those of a 1.6. It will come with a choice of five or six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

There will also be biofuel-compatible engines using bioethanol and biodiesel.

Despite being bigger and roomier, the new Mégane is an average 8kg lighter than the current car and will come with a range of high-tech options including progressive warnings to alert the driver of prevailing speed limits.