05-12-2005
The strong personality and assertive character of New Mégane make it even
more eye-catching than before. The facelift concerns six New Mégane body
types, namely the Hatch, Sport Hatch, Sport Saloon, Sport Tourer, Coupé-
Cabriolet and Mégane Renault Sport versions.
New Mégane's facelift coincides with a revised range of engines, all of which are
Euro 4-compliant. The diesel range has been expanded with the introduction of
the 150hp version of the latest 2.0 dCi unit – the new market benchmark in
performance and fuel consumption – as well as the inclusion of a periodic
regeneration particulate filter for the 1.9 dCi unit, whose power output has been
upped to 130hp. The New Mégane diesel range has also been extended to
include the 85hp and 105hp versions of the 1.5 dCi. The 105hp variant boasts the
best power/fuel consumption/CO2 emission ratio of its class.
In addition to the list of both new and proven diesel power plants, the choice of
petrol engines available for New Mégane stands out as one the most
comprehensive on the market and extends from the 1.4 16V (100hp), the 1.6 16V
(110hp), the 2.0 16V (135hp) and the 2.0T (165hp) to the 225hp 2.0 16V Turbo unit
which powers Mégane Renault Sport.
Meanwhile, New Mégane maintains its status as the market benchmark for
handling, driving pleasure and active and passive safety, as confirmed by its
five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Refined appeal
Mégane's innovative, attractive lines have evolved to feature an even more eyecatching
frontal styling and a more modern design for the rear. New Mégane also
comes with a range of new technologies aimed at enhancing travelling comfort
and driving pleasure.
The more refined, dynamic design of New Mégane is aimed at establishing it as the
benchmark in its segment. Its racy front end and muscular, robust lines exude an
impression of strength and dynamism which is underpinned by the new design of the
headlamps, grille and front bumper. The headlamps are more high-tech thanks to their
elliptical modules, highlighting New Mégane's frontal styling. The car's revised front end
is further accentuated by the slightly more pronounced "V" of the grille which tops the
redesigned front bumper. The more generously dimensioned air-intake and the
protective housing have been re-penned to blend in even more harmoniously with the
new front-end design. The foglamps are now located further towards the outside of the
car, as on Mégane Renault Sport.
Meanwhile, at the rear, the now translucent light clusters are the new lighting cues of
New Mégane Sport Hatch, Hatch and Mégane Renault Sport, with parallel horizontal
lines highlighting the car's dynamic, modern looks. The styling of the rear lights of the
Sport Saloon and Sport Tourer versions has also evolved. The design of the new
bumper – which is unchanged in the case of Mégane Renault Sport – has been
refreshed by the inclusion of protective beading.
Inside, New Mégane comes with a choice of upholstery available in new, even more
refined colours.
Renault's engineers have equipped New Mégane with new functions aimed at further
enhancing travelling comfort and driving pleasure, including parking proximity sensors,
rain and light sensors, optimized climate control, "flat blade" windscreen wipers and an
active carbon cabin filter. New Mégane comes with the new-generation Carminat
Navigation II System which is not only easier to use but which also features a biggercapacity
memory.
The 150hp 2.0 dCi: flagship of a new generation of
diesel engines
New Mégane's facelift coincides with a revised range of power plants, all of
which are now Euro 4-compliant. The diesel range sees the introduction of the
brand's new flagship, the 150hp 2.0 dCi, the inclusion of a periodic regeneration
particulate filter for the 1.9 dCi – the power output of which has been increased
to 130hp – and a 5hp gain for the 1.5 dCi engines.
The new 2.0 dCi features the latest diesel technologies. Powerful, quiet-running,
economical and clean, it is one of the most efficient engines in its category, delivering
150hp at 4,000rpm with torque of 340Nm at 2,000rpm. Combined with a new manual 6-
speed gearbox, it offers a particularly wide speed range and a level of dynamic and
sports performance rarely seen in its segment, while careful attention has also been
paid to acoustic comfort. The engine accelerates from a standing start to 100kph in a
best-in-class time of 8.7 seconds. The 150hp 2.0 dCi-powered New Mégane is the
most fuel-efficient car in its segment with consumption of just 5.4l/100km (combined
cycle), which also represents the segment's lowest CO2 emission value (144g/km).
The range of 1.9 dCi engines has been extended to include a new version whose
power output has been increased to 130hp and which is now equipped with a periodic
regeneration particulate filter. As an alternative to the 6-speed manual gearbox, it can
also be coupled to Renault's flick-shift, proactive 4-speed automatic transmission.
The Euro 4-compliant version of the 100hp 1.5 dCi diesel engine now delivers 105hp,
while torque has been increased by 20% to 240Nm at 2,000rpm. Combined with 6-
speed manual transmission, its fuel consumption is 4.7l/100km (combined cycle) with
CO2 emissions of just 120g/km. The switch to Euro 4 compliance has also seen the
power output of the 80hp 1.5 dCi increase by 5hp to 85hp.
The list of petrol power plants features five engines which are available in the different
body types: the 1.4 16V (100hp), the 1.6 16V (110hp), the 2.0 16V (135hp), the 2.0T
16V (165hp) plus the Renault Sport Technologies 2.0T 16V (225hp) version.
The benchmark in active and passive safety
New Mégane stands out as a further example of Renault's expertise in
automobile safety. Its driver aids ensure perfect control of the vehicle and help
correct the vehicle's trajectory in emergency situations. The level of passive
safety is also remarkable, with both the Hatch and Coupé-Cabriolet versions
obtaining a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
New Mégane comes with a long list of driver aids which contribute to ensuring that the
driver stays in control of his or her vehicle in an emergency. All versions come with the
latest-generation 8.0 Bosch ABS, complete with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
(EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist which ensure that maximum use is made of the
car's braking power.
According to equipment level, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with understeer
control is also available. This feature is complemented by ASR traction control and an
engine torque overrun regulation function (MSR).
Meanwhile, New Mégane can be ordered with a tyre pressure monitoring system which
is designed to detect slow punctures or incompatible tyre pressures.
The Mégane Hatch is the first car of its category to have been awarded a five-star Euro
NCAP crash test rating, while the Coupé-Cabriolet version continues to stand out as
the only vehicle of its class to have obtained the same score.
New Mégane is designed to ensure maximum protection in all the situations recorded
by Renault's accident research programme and the car features the third-generation
Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP III) which guarantees optimal
protection for all passengers wherever they are seated.
According to body type, New Mégane is equipped with up to 10 airbags (according to
equipment level), double pretensioners and load limiters.
Text and photos courtesy of Renault
