The new Megane Hatch is set to debut at Paris Motor Show early next week. It will be unveiled alongside the stunning new Laguna Coupe.
Yes, the new Mégane is poised to lay down the gauntlet to its lower-medium rivals, including the next-generation VW Golf, one of this year’s most eagerly-awaited new models.
The Mégane will feature impressive driving dynamics, high levels of quality and new technology, plus an extensive range of powerful and refined dCi and TCe engines, with continued focus on environment and safety.
Previewed recently for the first time in five-door form, in the lead-up to its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October, the successor to one of Europe’s best-selling cars ushers in a new era of styling, handling and quality.
Retaining characterful styling, the new Renault Mégane is immediately eye-catching. Its dynamic, elegant styling has been honed to appeal to car enthusiasts, with several cues taken from the world of sport. The new Renault Megane is robust, too, with the accent very much on the fit and finish of its panels, as well as on that of the materials used in its construction. The new model has also benefited from the progress that has been achieved across the Renault range in reliability and durability.
The new Megane's interior is extensively equipped with practical, comfort-enhancing features. These include combined analogue/digital instruments incorporating a new, easier-to-read colour-coded cruise control/speed limiter interface. The list continues with a host of equipment normally associated with a higher segment, such as hands-free entry and ignition, automatic locking as the driver walks away from the car, Carminat Bluetooth® CD navigation system and custom-developed audio system (3D Sound by Arkamys® ).
The on-road performance of the new Renault Mégane lives up to the high standard promised by its looks, with precision, control and efficiency combining to deliver a particularly enjoyable and reassuring ride. A broad, extensively renewed range of dCi and TCe powerplants combining performance and respect for the environment will be available, with four diesel engines that can claim CO2 emissions equal to, or less than, 120g/km.
The new Renault Mégane has been designed to offer best-in-class safety too. Among its features will be double side impact sensors and dual-chamber airbags as seen on the Laguna III, aimed at minimising the consequences of a side-on collision.
It is also a socially responsible car which is 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable by weight, while almost 12 per cent of the plastics it contains are sourced from recycling, equivalent to an average of 22kg per car.
Renault's new Mégane marks the beginning of Renault's renewal of its C-segment range. With a market share of more than a third, this segment has long been the biggest in Western Europe and makes a significant contribution to Renault's performance in terms of both volume and profitability.
Renault tells us that by 2010, the new Mégane family will include six different models, each with its own distinct and assertive personality. These six models have been conceived essentially for customers in European markets and will be manufactured in Spain and France. Other models will be available in non-European markets equipped with specific technical solutions suited to local conditions.
For almost two years, Renault's design and engineering teams have been focusing their attention on three main areas of development, namely reinforcing the personality of each member of the Mégane line-up, ensuring a balanced offer in terms of performance and equipment, and targeting best-in-class positioning for all key features.
The new Renault Mégane goes on sale later this year, and Renault says it is the next car in their 'Commitment 2009' plan and consequently benefits fully from the progress achieved in terms of quality on preceding models.
