Renault MEGANE II DIESEL RANGE
The Diesel Versions Of The
Renault Megane II Are A Beguiling Blend Of The Radical And The Realistic. By Andy Enright
How things change. Wind the clock back just five years and the prospect of driving a diesel family hatch was, for many road testers, an assignment tantamount to constructive dismissal. These days things are a lot different, with the diesel versions usually prompting a frenzied rush for the keys. Take Renaults Megane II as an example.
With a trio of state of the art common rail diesel engines to choose from and a body that will stop passers-by in their tracks, the truly desirable diesel hatch has arrived.
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Although time will doubtless dilute its impact, its still something of a kick to flip open the garage door and be greeted by a car that looks like an escapee from a motor show stand.
Renault have a name for this effect. X Appeal and claim that this has been responsible for encouraging sales. Of course, selling diesels in the UK isnt a tricky job at the moment with more than 40% of all new registrations drinking from the black pump.
The Megane II range offers four variations on the diesel theme. Those on a tighter budget can opt for 80bhp or 100bhp versions of the 1.5-litre dCi engine and not feel particularly hard done by. Should funds permit, most would consider the 1.
9-litre version worth the additional outlay, in either 90 or 120bhp guises, the 90bhp version being Euro IV-compliant. Unlike many rivals, the Megane II offers an exclusively common-rail diesel range. Buyers of the entry-level model arent saddled with diesel technology from the Industrial Revolution. The 1.
5-litre dCi 100 is the only Megane oil-burner offered with automatic transmission. Available in both hatchback body styles, plus saloon and estate guises, the diesel models are offered in three-door Extreme and Dynamique trims, or five-door Dynamique, Expression, Authentique and Privilege guises. Going into all the permutations of trim, body and engine availability would probably use all the space we have available for this road test, so lets just say that the diesel range breaks down into a wide range of different models and leave it at that. It opens at £11,790 which will land you a 1.
5-litre three-door Extreme or a five-door Authentique and reaches up to a reasonable £16,090 which would net you the 120bhp 1.9-litre Privilege five-door.
"Unlike many rivals, the Megane II offers an exclusively common-rail diesel range"
Although the 1.5-litre engine is a little slower than its big brother, one benefit of sharing the same high-tech engineering is that fuel economy is superb. A touring fuel consumption figure of 70.6mpg is scarcely credible for such a sizeable car and the average figure of 61.
4mpg still beggars belief. The sprint to 60mph will take just over 14 seconds and a top speed of 106mph means normal motorway cruising is relatively relaxed. One of the main reasons diesel is set to make petrol-engined cars a quaint extravagance is emissions regulations and the Megane IIs 1.5-litre engine underscores this superiority, emitting a mere 120g/km of CO2 per kilometre.
The 1.9-litre engine has a useful mid range punch, in 120bhp form taking barely more than 10 seconds to get to 60mph with a top speed of 122mph. Average fuel economy of over 52mpg and emissions figures of 144g/km (in the case of the 120bhp model) are about as good as it gets for this sort of car. The spread of torque isnt as wide as in some rival offerings, but the gearchange is good enough to make flicking up and down the gearbox good fun.
Ride quality is good, the Megane remaining composed through corners and dismissing rolls, dips and humps with disdain, but cats eyes and expansion joints can occasionally send a jolt through the cabin. Most of the time, however, youll merely be astonished at the Meganes refinement; road noise and trademark diesel engine thrum are muted to almost silence. The steering takes a little getting used to, but once youve become accustomed to its strong self- centring action, it makes a better overall impression. More than the styling, more than the driving experience, 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 the great strides forward made in terms of 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. Like the Laguna II, the Megane features a card rather than the traditional key, and multiplex wiring systems ensure that all of the usual refinements such as rain-sensing wipers, cruise control with speed limiter and automatic headlamps are available. Spend more and you can even specify a full-length sunroof and Carminat satellite navigation.
As long as youre comfortable with the avant-garde styling, its difficult to see any impediments to the Renault Megane II diesel models relentless march up the sales charts. Both engines and both body styles have a lot going for them. The pricing is refreshingly realistic and the great strides in quality and safety put the Megane onto the shortlists of buyers who would previously never have contemplated the mid-range Renault. Such a bold move from Renault deserves a reward.
It looks like theyll reap it.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Megane II diesel range
PRICES: £11,790-£16,900 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 120-143g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.9] Max Speed 122mph / 0-60mph 10.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.5] (urban) 50.4 (extra urban) 70.6 (combined) 61.4mpg
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
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