Renault is banking on the new Megane hatch for a fair share of the tightly contested small car segment as the new generation model launches in Australia today. Priced from $22,490 plus on-road costs the line up consist of four variants at launch – Life, Zen, GT-Line and GT.
“This is a beautiful new car with a host of technological and functional features that customers in the small car class will find very attractive,” said Justin Hocevar, Managing Director of Renault Australia.
“We have worked hard to build a specification that is highly competitive in a very busy segment of the car market. We are confident that when the all-new Megane is compared like-for-like, spec-for-spec and value-for-value, it will come out in front and that’s even before sampling its exhilarating driving experience.
“On the road the new Megane GT is a very impressive performance hatch that will appeal to enthusiastic drivers, while the Life, Zen and GT-Line models will surprise and delight a wide range of new car customers, from those buying up to those downsizing that don’t want to give up on premium, luxury or advanced technology features,” he said.
The all-new Megane five-door hatch is said to be more efficient, more spacious and better equipped than ever before. The bold new look features a sharper, more chiselled exterior styling and “3D Edge” effect lighting at the front and rear, giving the new Megane a distinctive road presence.
Leading the charge is the new Megane GT, which benefits from Renault Sport technology in the form of a new generation turbocharged petrol engine, 4CONTROL four wheel steering, R.S. Drive Mode with Launch Control and Multi Change Down shift control.
Inside, the all-new Megane GT boasts Alcantara covered sports seats with integrated headrests, flat-bottomed leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and aluminium pedals.
Interior ambience and vehicle dynamic settings can be configured using the MULTI-SENSE personalisation system, which allows the driver to select a mode to suit the driving conditions or their mood.
Drivers can cycle through Normal, Comfort, Sport, and Perso modes, to configure engine, transmission and steering settings, as well as interior lighting and dash displays at the touch of a button.
The new R-LINK 2 multimedia infotainment system covers audio, satellite navigation (from Zen variant onwards), telephony and vehicle settings, including access to Easy Park Assist (GT-Line and GT), all via the standard seven-inch landscape orientation capacitive touch screen, or optionally, via an 8.7 inch portrait tablet-style screen (GT-Line and GT), both of which offer pinch and zoom functionality.
The Life, Zen and GT-Line are powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Energy TCe 130 engine delivering 97kW and 205Nm of torque. All models are mated with a 7-speed EDC dual-clutch transmission, except for the Life variant which can be had with a 6-speed manual.
The Megane GT meanwhile features a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Energy TCe 205 engine producing 151kW and 280Nm of torque. It also gains RenaultSport-engineered suspension for a sportier drive, as well as an electric sunroof (optional on other variants).
The roomier Megane has more space front and rear. Front shoulder room increases by 22mm, while in the rear there is 20mm more knee room and 27mm more shoulder room. The boot accommodates 434 litres with the rear seats up and 1,247 litres with them folded.
Rear view camera and rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, auto headlights and wipers and tyre pressure monitoring are all standard from the Life model up and the GT-Line gains Blind Sport Warning.
An optional factory-fitted pack for GT-Line and GT models adds Pure Vision LED headlights, 8.7 inch portrait orientation screen and a high output Bose audio system.
Like all Renault passenger cars and R.S. models, the all-new Megane comes with a five year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance and Capped Price Servicing for the first three scheduled (annual or up to 30,000km) services, priced at $299 each.
2016 Renault Megane specification highlights:
Life:
- ENERGY TCe130 turbo charged engine delivering 97 kilowatts of power and 205 Newton metres of torque
- Choice of a manual or seven-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission
- Fuel economy of 5.5 litres per 100km and 124 g/km CO2 for the manual transmission (combined cycle)
- Fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km and 125 g/km CO2 for the EDC transmission (combined cycle)
- Renault smart keycard
- Rear camera and rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- R-LINK2 multimedia system with seven inch touch screen (landscape orientation) and digital radio
- Two USB ports and auxiliary jack
- 12V power outlets in the front and rear (two in total)
- Cloth trimmed upholstery
- Leather steering wheel
- Dual-zone climate control
- Auto headlights and windscreen wipers
- Front LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- 16 inch steel wheels
- Full size temporary spare wheel
The Zen variant adds:
- Edge LED Daytime Running Lights
- 16 inch alloy wheels
- R-LINK2 with navigation
- Front parking sensors
- Electric parking brake
- Electric Sunroof Pack (factory fitted option): electric sunroof, sun visor with light and auto-dimming rearview mirror
The GT-Line variant adds:
- Blind Sport Warning
- Easy Park Assist
- Electric sunroof
- Side parking sensors
- Seven inch colour TFT instrument panel with personalised settings
- MULTI-SENSE system with five driving modes and customisable ambient lighting
- Power heated mirrors
- Alcantara leather trimmed upholstery
- Nappa leather steering wheel and gear shift
- Heated front seats
- Integrated headrests
- Rear privacy glass
- 17 inch alloy wheels
- GT-Line badge
- Premium Pack (factory fitted option): Pure Vision LED headlights, 8.7 inch portrait orientation multimedia system with Bose audio
- Optional (factory fitted): 18 inch Grand Tour alloy wheels
The range-topping GT variant features:
- ENERGY TCe205 turbo charged engine delivering 151 kilowatts and 280 Newton metres of torque
- Seven-speed EDC transmission
- Fuel economy of 6 litres/100km and 134g/km CO2 (combined cycle)
- 4CONTROL four-wheel steering
- Launch Control
- Renault Sport-tuned suspension and brakes
- Dual chrome exhaust pipe
- Renault Sport badging
- GT bumper and rear diffuser
- Sport mode button (R.S. Drive)
- Configurable sound engine
- Renault Sport-style paddle shifters with multi-downshift
- Alloy pedals
- Kick plate on driver door
- Alcantara leather trimmed upholstery with blue highlights
- Magny Cours 18 inch alloy wheels
- Temporary spare wheel
- Premium Pack (factory fitted option): Pure Vision LED headlights, 8.7 inch portrait orientation multimedia system with Bose audio
- Optional (factory fitted): electric sunroof
Pricing:
| Variant | Transmission | Price (Excluding on-road costs) |
| Life | Manual | $22,490 |
| EDC | $24,990 | |
| Zen | EDC | $27,490 |
| GT-Line | EDC | $32,490 |
| GT | EDC | $38,490 |