The first car to be equipped as standard with a folding glass roof, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet is aimed at owners both of cabriolets and coupés. With four proper seats, luggage space worthy of a saloon, high levels of acoustic and thermal comfort and good rearward visibility, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet has more to offer than conventional cabriolets.
Elegant and dynamic, it is powered by the highest-performance petrol and diesel engines from Mégane II Hatch and Sport Hatch. As well as anti-submarining airbags for the front seats, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet is
equipped with fixed or automatic safety hoops which provide optimum protection whether the roof is open or closed. Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet combines travelling pleasure with peace of mind in all circumstances.
Elegance its signature
Designed by Renault's Corporate Design Department, Mégane II Coupé-
Cabriolet is dynamic and balanced in both coupé and cabriolet configuration.
Its modern, harmonious style features proportions worthy of a higher-segment model, with an overall length of 4.35 metres. Only the front face, the headlamps and the bonnet are carried across from Mégane II. The specially shaped front wings extend the body sides and emphasize the car’s slenderness. The absence of door pillars or side trim strips also contributes to its refined character and flowing lines. The model benefits from all the perceived quality features of Mégane II, and the mating surfaces around its opening panels – critical in a cabriolet – have been the object of special care. Inside, the dashboard and the front seats are identical to those in Mégane
The light and airy interior created by the folding glass roof is completely new to the market and enhances the specification in coupé configuration.
Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet continues the principle of the "à la carte" car
introduced with Mégane II, allowing the customer to combine an overall colour and trim scheme (Authentique, Dynamique or Privilège) with an equipment level (Confort or Luxe) and a powertrain. In addition, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet offers a choice of four colours of leather – green, red, charcoal and beige – and 11 body colours, including Beige Poivré, which is brand new.
A folding glass roof as standard
Apart from its purely aesthetic value, the glass roof, developed by Karmann,
confers many advantages on Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet. It ensures permanent contact with the world outside and makes for ample rearward visibility. The feeling of enclosure inherent in conventional coupés and cabriolets is a thing of the past.
In addition, it guarantees both acoustic and thermal comfort through the use of 4mmthick Venus 35 glass. The heated rear window and the elimination of any risk of ageing or deterioration of the hood offset the disadvantages of cabriolets. Operation of the roof is simple and quick. Opening and closing, performed by an electro-hydraulic mechanism, are entirely automatic and require no additional latching. Turning the car into a cabriolet, by holding the special button down, takes 22 seconds – one of the fastest times on the market.
Comfort and ease of use in all four seats
Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet is generously equipped. The electric door
mirrors, the four electric windows with one-touch opening, the anti-draught nets and the safety hoops, covered with soft foam, contribute to operating comfort. There are several stowage spaces including a refrigerated 17-litre glove box which is automatically locked whenever the doors are locked, to protect its contents from theft.
Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet provides four proper seats and interior space
which is considerable for a coupé-cabriolet. In the front, the lowered position of the seats ensures comfortable headroom in coupé configuration. The slope of the windscreen has been designed to provide the front seat passengers with maximum space and to reduce the "cap effect" inherent in cabriolets. In the back, the headroom, the knee clearance and the available width are among the best in the class. In addition, access to the back seats is made easier by the position-memory of the front seat slides and seat backs. Finally, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet provides the largest luggage space in its class with a volume of 490 litres (VDA).
The cabriolet configuration offers a volume of 190 litres (VDA).
Permanent driving and travelling pleasure Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet provides an optimum driving position and visibility. The seat height has been reduced by 24mm compared with Mégane II, to achieve an even more sporting position. The door-pillarless design, the glass roof and the hidden safety hoops improve visibility for ease of manoeuvring in urban situations.
Designed on the Mégane II platform, the upper body structure and the
overall stiffness, which is among the best in the market, meet the need for both strength and safety. The variable-assist electric steering, and the stability and the accuracy of suspension movement also ensure genuine driving pleasure.
When it goes on sale, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet will be available with three
powertrains, all with plenty of torque. The petrol engine range comprises the
115bhp 1.6 16V and the 136bhp 2.0 16V. The range is completed by the 120bhp 1.9 dCi diesel engine – noted for its driving pleasure – teamed with a six-speed gearbox.
With ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, ESP with understeer control and a tyre
pressure monitoring system, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet is fitted with all the active safety features of Mégane II.
Optimum safety in all circumstances
Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet confirms the progress made by Renault in the
area of passive safety. The stiffness of the body has been designed to keep the cabin space intact in the event of a rollover with the aid of strengthened windscreen pillars, body sides and sills, and by two fixed hoops installed as standard. The thirdgeneration Renault System for Restraint and Protection and the six airbags, including the two anti-submarining airbags beneath the cushions of the front seats, provide occupants with optimum protection. In addition, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet can be equipped with two automatic safety hoops which deploy whenever an imminent rollover is detected.
The Mégane II programme – Act II
From the third quarter of 2003, Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet will round out
Renault’s offensive on the C segment and more particularly on the cabriolet market.
Text and photos courtesy of Renault
