Renault Megane dCi 106
In an age where the nations pimply adolescents flatly refuse to fawn over a hot hatchback unless its packing at least 150bhp and the doormen at the supercar club are liable to forcibly eject any vehicle without a 400bhp rating, you might view 20bhp as a trifling amount of grunt. Renault dont, they offer 86bhp, 106bhp, 130bhp, 150bhp and 175bhp diesel powered versions of their Megane. In fact, these apparently small power increments make a surprising amount of difference and the 106bhp dCi Megane we examine here has a surprising amount going for it.
Give a 500bhp BMW M5 a 20bhp shot in the arm and youd barely notice the difference but by adding that same amount to an unspectacular family hatchback, you can drastically change its character. Even in this knowledge, the Renault Megane diesel range still looks a little tightly populated but thats until you realise that there are actually three different diesel engines here. The advanced 2.0-litre dCi develops 150bhp or 175bhp, the 1.
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9-litre options feel more muscular and relaxed with their larger capacity, while the smaller 1.5-litre units provide significantly better fuel consumption at a tighter price. If youre after a nice blend of superb economy and respectable performance, a 1.5-litre dCi 106 Renault Megane could tick the right boxes.
The 1.5-litre dCi models actually have the best fuel consumption of any Renault Megane and they deliver a sound thrashing to the majority of family hatchbacks in the wider market with an outstanding 60mpg average in the 106bhp car. The less powerful 1.5-litre dCi 86 can average 63mpg.
With economy like that, you might expect a trade off in the shape of sluggish performance. Sure enough, the dCi 106 isnt quick but 0-60mph in 11.1 seconds isnt too awful and the engines torque-laden power delivery makes the mid-range feel quite lively.
"The 1.5-litre dCi models actually have the best fuel consumption of any Renault Megane and they deliver a sound thrashing to the majority of family hatchbacks in the wider market "
The Renault Megane dCi 106 Euro IV engine is available in all the Megane bodystyles. That means the 3-door Sport Hatch, the 5-door Hatch, the 4-door Sport Saloon, the Sport Tourer estate and the Coupe Cabriolet. As for trim levels, buyers must don their thinking caps and make a decision between Expression and Dynamique. Expression is the budget option but still includes body coloured bumpers and door handles, air-conditioning, CD stereo, electric windows, and front fog lamps.
Dynamique, meanwhile, adds 16" alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and gear knob ensemble, a Thatcham approved alarm and chrome door handles but it does cost £500 more. Prices start at £14,730 for a dCi 106 Sport Hatch in Dynamique trim and rise to £16,230 for a dCi 106 Privilege 5-door but you can also get the engine in the Coupe Cabriolet model if you have over £20,000 to spend. Todays Megane II doesnt differ all that much from the original, with Renault sensibly deciding to gently massage their winning formula rather than drastically change it. More observant members of the public might spot elongated, sleeker headlamps and alterations to the grille which see everything come together in a V shape either side of a more prominent Renault badge at the front.
The rear benefits from its own re-sculpted bumper and revised light clusters while, inside, the instrument binnacle features chrome-ringed dials with white background lighting. No matter how striking you may find the exterior styling, for many the biggest surprise will come when they drop into the drivers seat of the Megane II. The design is neat without being gratuitously radical, but the real revelation is in terms of the quality of materials and finish. Its almost as if a Renault designers company hack was rear-ended and he got an Audi courtesy car for the week.
Soft feel plastics, quality fabrics and a cohesive design philosophy means a not-so-fond farewell to old-school Renault interiors, many of which were built with the visual drama and structural integrity of a film set. Genuine innovation is in evidence. Take Renaults anti-submarining airbag, a device which leaps forth from the seat cushion to protect the pelvis. This replaces the traditional (and some would say uncomfortable) hump at the front of the seat and is a neat solution that provides both comfort and unparalleled safety, effectively making it impossible to slide beneath the seatbelt in the event of an accident.
Renaults unparalleled experience in the MPV market shines through, not only in terms of passenger space which is excellent - but also in the provision of multifarious cubbies, boxes and pockets. Theres a hatch in the floor to stow valuables, storage boxes between both front and rear seats and even a chilled glove compartment. The metallic hoop handbrake is a neat touch, although motoring anoraks will remember a similar device in the Alfa 75 of the eighties. The Megane dCi 106 models provide excellent fuel economy and none too shabby performance.
Renault provide a large selection of diesel-engined Meganes with apparently similar attributes and choosing between them can present a problem but anyone opting for the dCi 106 is unlikely to feel hard done by.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Megane II 1.5dCi 106 diesel range
PRICES: £14,730-£16,230 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5
CO2 EMISSIONS: 124g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 115mph / 0-60mph 11.1s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 60.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side, curtain and anti submarine airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Heightmm 4209/1777/1457mm
