Renault Mégane
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| Manufacturer | Renault |
|---|---|
| Production | Mk I: 1995—2002 Mk II: 2002—2008 Mk III: 2008—present |
| Assembly | Douai, France Palencia, Spain Bursa, Turkey Envigado, Colombia Córdoba, Argentina |
| Predecessor | Renault 19 |
| Class | Small family car |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan/saloon 5-door hatchback 5-door mini SUV 5-door station wagon/estate |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine(s) | I4 I4 Turbo I4 Diesel V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic CVT |
| Related | Mégane Renault Sport Renault Scénic |
| Designer | Patrick le Quément |
The Renault Mégane is a small family car produced by the French automaker Renault since 1995. It is offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and station wagon bodystyles. The Renault Scénic (launched 1996) is the first modern compact MPV to be built in Europe[citation needed], and is based on the Mégane floorpan.
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[edit] Mégane I (1995-2002)
The Mégane I was unveiled in the autumn of 1995, as a replacement of the Renault 19. The car was essentially a reskin of its predecessor, and carried over the 19's floorpan, engines, transmissions and chassis design, albeit with much modification. Taking its name from a Renault concept car shown in 1988, the Mégane further developed the new corporate styling theme introduced by Patrick Le Quément on the Laguna, most notably the "bird-beak" front grille - a styling cue borrowed from the legendary Renault 16 of the 1960s. As with the 19 and the 11 before it, the Mégane was produced in Renault's Douai plant in northern France, and in the Spanish plant of Palencia.
Safety was a key focus of the Megane I, Renault's first car reflecting their new focus of selling on safety. It featured a pillar-mounted 3-point seatbelt for the middle-rear occupant (replacing the common 'lap strap'), standard front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, driver's airbag and an impressive safety structure - a specification ahead of most rivals in 1995. Some features, such as the 3-point middle belt, had debuted on the Renault 19 safety concept vehicle (and in fact this feature entered production on the Renault Laguna before the Megane). The car also benefited from Renaults first "System for Restraint and Protection" (SRP), essentially a system of careful optimisation of occupant restraint by interaction of the seat, seatbelt, pretensioner, load limiter and airbag. Megane I achieved a best-in-class 4-star crash test rating in the 1998 round of testing by EURONCAP.
1997 saw the introduction of the Mégane Scénic compact MPV.
Power came from the Renault E-type ("Energy") engine in 1.4 L, 1.6 L, 1.8 L, and the F-type unit in both 1.9 L diesel and 2.0 L petrol form, although this time around there was a wider variety of 16-valve derivatives. A 1.9 L diesel engine in both normally aspirated and turbocharged forms was also available.
Renault also produced a limited number of Renault sport edition phase 1's with the Renaultsport bodywork, however these were very rare. The Renaultsport kit was available to purchase for a short time direct from Renault France, but has now been discontinued, thus their value has increased.
[edit] Phase 2 (1999-2002)
A mild facelift in 1999 gave the Mégane I a modified grille, more advanced safety features and upgraded equipment, and the 16-valve engines were used across the range. It is still being produced by Renault Argentina, where it is sold alongside the Megane II line at a considerably lower price.
[edit] Phase 3 (2002-present)
In Venezuela, Argentina and Colombia the original Megane is still available. It features the LA04 engine (16 valve, 1.6 liters and 110 HP), and is produced by both Renault Colombia and Argentina, in where it is one of the best-selling cars to date. It is a car with more advanced safety features, upgraded equipment and more. The Mégane I costs less than the Mégane II. Both remain available.
[edit] Engine options
| Model | Displacement (cc) | Power | Top Speed | 0-100 km/h(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Eco 8v Mk 1 | 1390 | 70 hp (52 kW) | 168 km/h (104 mph) | 14.5 |
| 1.4 8v Mk 1 | 1390 | 75 hp (56 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 14.3 |
| 1.4 8v Mk 1 | 1390 | 75 hp (56 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 13.8 |
| 1.4 16v Mk 1 | 1390 | 95 hp (71 kW) | 184 km/h (114 mph) | 11.8 |
| 1.6 8v Mk 1 | 1598 | 90 hp (67 kW) | 184 km/h (114 mph) | 11.5 |
| 1.6 16v Mk 1 | 1598 | 110 hp (82 kW) | 195 km/h (121 mph) | 9.8 |
| 1.8 16v Mk 1 | 1783 | 115 hp (86 kW) | 199 km/h (124 mph) | 9.0 |
| 2.0 8v Mk 1 | 1998 | 115 hp (86 kW) | 197 km/h (122 mph) | 9.7 |
| 2.0 16v Mk 1 | 1998 | 150 hp (112 kW) | 210 km/h (130 mph) | 8.7 |
| 2.0 16v IDE Mk 1 | 1998 | 140 hp (104 kW) | ||
| 1.9 8v D Mk 1 | 1870 | 65 hp (48 kW) | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 16.5 |
| 1.9 8v D Mk 1 | 1870 | 65 hp (48 kW) | 158 km/h (98 mph) | 17.9 |
| 1.9 8v dT Mk 1 | 1870 | 95 hp (71 kW) | 180 km/h (112 mph) | 12.3 |
| 1.9 8v dTi Mk 1 | 1870 | 100 hp (75 kW) | 183 km/h (114 mph) | 12.3 |
| 1.9 8v dTi Mk 1 | 1870 | 80 hp (60 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 13.8 |
| 1.9 8v dCi Mk 1 | 1870 | 102 hp (76 kW) | 188 km/h (117 mph) | 11.5 |
| 1.9 8v dCi Mk 1 | 1870 | 90 hp (67 kW) | 174 km/h (108 mph) | 12.9 |
[edit] Mégane II (2002-2009)
The Mégane II was launched in 2002,[1] and marked a completely fresh start. The two cars bear very little resemblance, the new vehicle having been inspired by the manufacturer's new style first seen in the Avantime. The new Mégane was voted European Car of the Year for 2003, and achieved a 5-star safety rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests,[2] the first small family car to do so.
Mégane II and the Laguna were both showcases for a great deal of innovative technologies Renault launched at the beginning of the 2000s; the Renault Card keyless ignition system, standard on the Mégane II, was a first in this class and has since been widely adopted. Similarly, the option of a panoramic glass sunroof is another area in which Renault led where others followed.
In Brazil, Renault launched a flex-fuel version, called "Hi-Flex", which is able to run either with unleaded gasoline (petrol) or ethanol. Like the Brazilian Scénic and Clio versions, the Mégane's engine can work with any mix of gasoline and ethanol, due to the use of an electronic control module. The flex version has a 16V 110 hp (115 hp with ethanol) 1.6-liter engine developed and produced in Brazil, but the 2.0-liter version does not allow ethanol use, because its engine is made in France.
As with the previous Mégane, the range of models is extremely wide; there is a three and five door hatchback available, named "Sport Hatch" and "Hatch" respectively, there is a 4-door saloon/sedan (Sport Saloon), a five-door estate (Sport Tourer / Grandtour), and to replace both the Mégane Coupe and Convertible, a new retractable hardtop.
[edit] Mégane RS
RenaultSport (RS) versions of the 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks were introduced, equipped with a turbocharged petrol 2.0 L 16v engine producing 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp). Along with the engine, changes were made to the front and rear suspension geometry to improve handling, and the model features a deeper, wider front bumper. The Mégane Renault Sport competes in the hot hatch segment of the market.
[edit] Mégane CC
The Coupé-Cabriolet features an innovative folding glass roof mechanism built by Karmann and has become a cult car in its own right, with several owners' clubs. Although up against increased competition from other volume manufacturers also launching their own CCs, the Mégane is still considered to be one of the most attractive, especially its elegant silhouette with the roof down.
[edit] Phase 2 (2006-2009)
The model was revised in 2006, with changes in interior trim, specification levels and most notably, a new front nose. A new front suspension system borrowed from the Mégane 2.0 225 PS (222 hp/165 kW) was adopted improving even more the driving performance of the Renault Mégane.[3] Also, the Nissan Sentra B16 is based on the 2006 platform of the Renault Megane.
[edit] Engines
| Model | Displacement (cc) | Power | Top Speed | 0-100 km/h(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16v Mk 2 | 1390 | 80 hp (60 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 13.5 |
| 1.4 16v Mk 2 | 1390 | 98 hp (73 kW) | 183 km/h (114 mph) | 12.5 |
| 1.6 16v Mk 2 | 1598 | 116 hp (87 kW) | 195 km/h (121 mph) | 10.8 |
| 2.0 16v Mk 2 | 1998 | 136 hp (101 kW) | 205 km/h (127 mph) | 9.6 |
| 2.0 16v Turbo Mk 2 | 1998 | 165 hp (123 kW) | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 8.3 |
| 2.0 16v Turbo RenaultSport Mk 2 | 1998 | 225 hp (168 kW) | 236 km/h (147 mph) | 6.5 |
| 1.5 8v dCi Mk 2 | 1461 | 80 hp (60 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 14.3 |
| 1.5 8v dCi facelift Mk 2 | 1461 | 86 hp (64 kW) | 174 km/h (108 mph) | 12.7 |
| 1.5 8v dCi Mk 2 | 1461 | 100 hp (75 kW) | 181 km/h (112 mph) | 12.8 |
| 1.5 8v dCi facelift Mk 2 | 1461 | 106 hp (79 kW) | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 11.1 |
| 1.9 8v dCi Mk 2 | 1870 | 120 hp (89 kW) | 196 km/h (122 mph) | 10.5 |
| 1.9 8v dCi facelift Mk 2 | 1870 | 130 hp (97 kW) | 200 km/h (124 mph) | 9.0 |
| 2.0 16v dCi facelift Mk 2 | 1995 | 150 hp (112 kW) | 210 km/h (130 mph) | 8.7 |
[edit] Sales
During its first full year of sales, the Mégane II topped the French sales charts, with 198,874 registered in 2003.[4] It has also sold very well in Britain, being the nation's fourth most popular car in 2005 and fifth most popular in 2004 and 2006. In 2007, however, it dipped to eighth place with just over 55,000 examples being sold.[5]
[edit] Mégane III (2008-present)
The third generation of Mégane has been launched in late 2008 to keep the range competitive with newer rivals. It however lacks the distinctive hatchback acquired during its second generation.
In September 2008, it is presented officially, both, the Renault Mégane Berline 5-door & Mégane Coupé.[6] The two models feature quite different design, the Coupé having a very aggressive and sportive design while the 5-door model is more consensual.
The phase I version of Megane II was well known for reliability issues, especially with the engine management system. Renault has now spent much more time and mileage testing the new model which is therefore expected to have improved reliability.[citation needed]
[edit] All-electric version
The electric version of the Mégane saloon that Renault is building will come with a lifetime warranty, and payment will follow the model established by the mobile-phone industry. After buying the car, owners will subscribe to a battery-replacement and charging plan based on their anticipated mileage. Recharging will be done at one of 500,000 spots that Project Better Place will build and maintain. [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ "First details of new Renault Mégane". archive.cardesignnews.com. http://archive.cardesignnews.com/news/2002/020704z4-megane-mybch/index2.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ "Renault Megane". euroncap.com. http://www.euroncap.com/tests/renault_megane_2002/146.aspx. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ "Renault Megane gets face-lift for 2006". whatcar.com. http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=218152. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ Auto Motor und Sport Heft 4 Seite 10. Stuttgart. 2004.
- ^ http://www.economicnews.ca/login.php?page=reportsDetails&newsid=38779&prevview=&view=details&country=Europe&plimit=0&category=European%20Economic%20Reports
- ^ http://www.renault.com/renault_com/fr/images/16199%2016199_M%25C3%2589GANE_COUP%25C3%2589_CONCEPT_tcm1119-731268.pdf
- ^ http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=101846&topicId=103840033&docId=l:788745319
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Renault Mégane |
- Official UK Renault Site - Megane
- Russian Megane III Owners Club
- Mégane II Owners Club
- AutoGuideWiki.com
- Renaultsport Mégane 225
- Worldwide Mégane CC site
- Renault Megane Official Renault Retail Page
- Club Megane Argentina
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