A step forward

A good-looking car with an edgy appearance, the new Mégane is the start of a complete renewal of Renault’s C-segment range. Sofie Lidefjard takes it for a drive

It’s down to personal taste, but I found Mégane II a good-looking car with an edgy appearance, and was therefore slightly disappointed when the new Mégane was unveiled. It’s wider, longer and allegedly sportier-looking, but to me it now just looks like any other car, not standing out from the competition.
    
The new Mégane’s more emotive lines, higher perceived quality and better packaging is, however, likely to win over customers who rejected the controversial of the previous car.

Change in chassis
On the road you can tell the chassis has been improved. It’s both lower and wider making the car calm and mellow. The electric power steering has undergone a comprehensive change, resulting in response and precision.
    
The 6-speed manual gearbox provides precision and a comfortable drive. The sixth gear means enhanced long distance driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption.

Safety and security
The handling is responsive and predictable, giving a reassuring driving style. ABS and Emergency Brake Distribution come as standard, while in the UK all versions also feature ESP with Anti-Skid Regulation and additional understeer control.
    
With a score of 37 points out of 37 in its EuroNCAP crash tests, the Mégane has achieved the joint highest-ever score, of course giving it a five-star rating. Special attention has been paid to protection against side-impact. The dual side-impact sensors that first appeared in Laguna III have halved the time it takes the side airbags to trigger. Coupled with a new generation of bulkier curtain airbags, occupants’ head protection has been improved by 30 per cent.
    
I found myself spending a lot of time (relatively) rummaging through my bag for the key. The Renault card, however, makes the car keyless. Carrying the card, it will track your movements, unlocking the car when you get close to it, and locking it as you move away. Keyless entry, together with air conditioning, ‘see you home’ headlights, height adjustable driver’s seat, brake assist, front and rear curtain airbags and two-stage front airbags are fitted across the range.
    
The cabin feels roomy and it won’t cramp tall people’s style. All controls are within comfortable reach, however, the cupholder between the two front seats is irrationally placed so that the cup gets in the way when shifting gears.

Green focus
Three versions of the new Mégane Hatch carries Renault’s eco2 symbol, which means they meet three criteria: they produce CO2 emissions at or lower than 140g/km, they are manufactured at an ISO 14001 certified factory, and they are 95 per cent recyclable. 11 per cent of the plastics used in its construction are sourced from recycled materials. A key element in improving all-round efficiency has been a weight-saving programme. On average, the new Mégane is eight kilos lighter than its predecessor, Mégane II, which results in CO2 emissions lowered by between 2-10g/km, while fuel economy has improved by between 0.9 and 4.2 mpg.

ENGINE 1.5 dCi 106hp
TOP SPEED 118 mph
0-62mph 10.9 secs
MPG (combined) 62.8
CO2 120/km