Renault MEGANE II 2.0 RANGE
The
Renault Megane II Has Made Quite An Impact Since Its Introduction. Here We Take A Look At The 2.0-Litre Flagship Petrol Cars. By Andy Enright
So, the Renault Megane II has waltzed off with the 2003 European Car of The Year Award. Amid all the fanfare, tub thumping and swollen order books, perhaps we can take a coldly rational view of proceedings. The 2.0-litre petrol models will never be the big sellers but they give us a glimpse of what Renault can do when it brings its A game.
It has to be said that the European Car of The Year panel have taken some rather peculiar decisions down the years. In 1982 the Renault 9 (anybody?) saw off the far more accomplished
Volkswagen Polo. Of course, we have the benefit of hindsight to highlight each entrants lasting legacy, but its still illuminating to note how often the experts get it wrong. Automotive giants like the
Audi Quattro and the Renault Espace never got a sniff of the title whereas in 1990, the mighty Mercedes SL was bested by the not-so-wonderful
Citroen XM.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
 |
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
 |
| Value |
|
A few eyebrows were also raised when, in 1996, Fiats Brava/Bravo got the nod over a number of more pressing claims. By and large, however, the panel get it right, the last few years having seen the
Ford Focus, the Alfa 156, the
Toyota Yaris and the
Renault Scenic rightly win the crown. Only history will tell whether the Megane II was the right choice, but the omens look good. The 2.
0-litre models are available in three-door Dynamique trim, priced at £13,590 or five-door Dynamique and Privilege variants priced at £14,090 and £15,090 respectively. The other option is the £19,500 Megane Renaultsport with its 225bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine or you could look to the saloon and tourer versions. Powered by a 136bhp 16-valve engine with variable valve timing, the standard models offer the most sporting drive in the current non-Renaultsport Megane line-up.
Admittedly, thats not saying too much, Renault concentrating on a family friendly approach with the latest generation Megane leaving the range-topper to wow the crowds, but a sprint to 60mph in 9.2 seconds is not to be sniffed at, nor is a top speed of 124mph. One advantage of the VVT engine is that at more sedate throttle openings, its very fuel-efficient and an overall return in excess of 35mpg is a testament to Renaults engineers. "An overall economy figure in excess of 35mpg is a testament to Renaults engineers" Whether you opt for three-door or five, the ride feels reasonably sporting; quite at odds with the flabby barges that have so often come from France over the years. The steering takes a little getting used to as well, the electrically assisted set up having a strong self-centring action that initially feels a trifle odd. You soon get used to it, but it proves just another departure from the run of the mill. With the Megane II, there are so many such features its sometimes difficult to believe it spawned from the original Megane.
This was a car so middle-of-the-road it wouldnt have looked out of place with cats eyes running over the bonnet and roof. The interior of the Megane II isnt as eye-catching as the exterior lines, but look closer and youll spot scores of neatly-styled touches. Some of the shapes are voluptuous in the extreme, the cowling over the main instruments saucily suggestive, whilst others like the dramatic handbrake reprise ideas seen on other cars. The interior door handles are neatly sculpted almost Mobius-like swirls which match the metallic finish used on the instruments.
Soft feel plastics, quality fabrics and a cohesive design philosophy means a not-so-fond farewell to old-school Renault interiors. A credit-card style key and a quick prang of the starter button fires the 2.0-litre powerplant into life, the engine being pleasantly refined in the lower half of the range, but it reminds you of its presence if you really try to eke out every last horsepower. Space is fine up front with a wide range of adjustments available to the driving position, but long-legged frontal occupants will exact a penalty on rear legroom.
That bustle-backed shape does wonders for rear headroom though. Even the three-door car can easily
seat a six-footer. Luggage capacity is also pretty good, although the width of the rear aperture may limit the Megane IIs ultimate carrying ability. As with all contemporary Renaults, safety is a priority.
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. Theres also twin front and side airbags with full-length curtain bags to protect passengers from flying glass. Most of the attention is drawn to the rear, the Megane being treated to an Avantime-style bustle back.
Rather than tone down the design, however, Renault have exaggerated it, creating a crazily intersecting riot of straight lines and arcs. When Patrick Le Quement, Senior VP of Renault Corporate design talks of "the understated dimensions of the boot" you really have to wonder whether hes looking at the same car. Perhaps Patrick has a talent for understatement as well as design. With Dynamique and Privilege trim levels occupying the upper strata of the Megane II range, equipment levels are suitably generous. But you dont buy a car as good looking as this for the toys.
Just make sure youre well insured. There could well be a spate of Megane rear-enders brought about by drivers admiring their acquisitions profile in plate glass windows. Keep your eyes on the road and your neighbourhood beautiful.
An overall economy figure in excess of 35mpg is a testament to Renaults engineers
Whether you opt for three-door or five, the ride feels reasonably sporting; quite at odds with the flabby barges that have so often come from France over the years. The steering takes a little getting used to as well, the electrically assisted set up having a strong self-centring action that initially feels a trifle odd. You soon get used to it, but it proves just another departure from the run of the mill. With the Megane II, there are so many such features its sometimes difficult to believe it spawned from the original Megane.
This was a car so middle-of-the-road it wouldnt have looked out of place with cats eyes running over the bonnet and roof. The interior of the Megane II isnt as eye-catching as the exterior lines, but look closer and youll spot scores of neatly-styled touches. Some of the shapes are voluptuous in the extreme, the cowling over the main instruments saucily suggestive, whilst others like the dramatic handbrake reprise ideas seen on other cars. The interior door handles are neatly sculpted almost Mobius-like swirls which match the metallic finish used on the instruments.
Soft feel plastics, quality fabrics and a cohesive design philosophy means a not-so-fond farewell to old-school Renault interiors. A credit-card style key and a quick prang of the starter button fires the 2.0-litre powerplant into life, the engine being pleasantly refined in the lower half of the range, but it reminds you of its presence if you really try to eke out every last horsepower. Space is fine up front with a wide range of adjustments available to the driving position, but long-legged frontal occupants will exact a penalty on rear legroom.
That bustle-backed shape does wonders for rear headroom though. Even the three-door car can easily seat a six-footer. Luggage capacity is also pretty good, although the width of the rear aperture may limit the Megane IIs ultimate carrying ability. As with all contemporary Renaults, safety is a priority.
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. Theres also twin front and side airbags with full-length curtain bags to protect passengers from flying glass. Most of the attention is drawn to the rear, the Megane being treated to an Avantime-style bustle back.
Rather than tone down the design, however, Renault have exaggerated it, creating a crazily intersecting riot of straight lines and arcs. When Patrick Le Quement, Senior VP of Renault Corporate design talks of the understated dimensions of the boot you really have to wonder whether hes looking at the same car. Perhaps Patrick has a talent for understatement as well as design. With Dynamique and Privilege trim levels occupying the upper strata of the Megane II range, equipment levels are suitably generous.
But you dont buy a car as good looking as this for the toys. Just make sure youre well insured. There could well be a spate of Megane rear-enders brought about by drivers admiring their acquisitions profile in plate glass windows. Keep your eyes on the road and your neighbourhood beautiful.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Megane II 2.0 range
PRICES: £13,590-£15,900 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 191g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 124mph / 0-60mph 9.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 25.9mpg / (extra urban) 44.1mpg / (combined) 35.3mpg
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 4209/1777/1457
<< Back to Renault car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Renault Cars For Sale UK
