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07/10/2011
REVIEW by EWAN KENNEDY
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Renault is continuing its big push on the Australian market with a turbo-diesel version of its Megane five-door hatchback.
The French marque is very strong in Europe, where it sells millions of cars every year, but has never had huge success in other continents. Hence its willingness to throw money at the Australian market by way of marketing campaigns. Renault has refreshed its Australian team as well, with something like 75 per cent of the old guard having been replaced by fresh new faces. This has led to strong price incentives, as well as new models, such as the Samsung-built Renault Latitude.
Megane has been one of the strong sellers in the revamped Renault lineup so it makes sense to offer buyers the choice a 1.5-litre diesel engine to complement the existing 2.0-litre petrol engine.
While 1.5 litres seems rather small, this is a thoroughly modern powerplant that puts out 240 Newton metres of torque at just 1750 rpm, with strong output above and below that number that allows it to pulls very low revs in normal driving. During our initial test drives at the press launch of the engine we liked its purposeful sound and willingness to rev.
The engine is connected to a dual-clutch transmission, again in the interests of improving economy. Like all of its type it can be irritating in its characteristics at very low speed, but works very well above about five km/h.
Renault tells us it has measured the fuel consumption of this drivetrain at 4.5 litres per hundred kilometres, a lower number than we anticipated. However, we found it running in the low sixes most of the time during our testing in hilly country conditions in southern Victoria. That’s 33 per cent higher diesel consumption than the number on the official paperwork…
We have yet to test the new Megane diesel in traffic conditions, but will do so later and report back on the fuel figures.
Renault Megane has lovely on-road dynamics. The French really do love comfort and character in their cars and this five-door family hatch has a sporting feel that we enjoyed. It turns neatly into bends, holds onto the black stuff at speeds much higher than are likely to be attempted by owners. At the same time it provides good feedback through the steering wheel and the seat of your pants.
All this comes while retaining high levels of passenger comfort, even on rough and ready Australian roads. Tyre noise is well damped and even our notorious coarse-chip surfaces didn’t increase noise levels to an unpleasant roar, as often happens in imported cars.
Renault is aiming the Megane five-door at a crowded segment of the Australian market. Competitors are big sellers like Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, and many more.
So the importers have started the price of the new Megane Dynamic diesel at a very reasonable $27,490. Until the end of October it will back this price up with three years free servicing and offers finance at an attractive 3.9 per cent.
Other ways of attracting new business to the Renault fold include a five-year / unlimited kilometre on most passenger vehicles, including the new diesel version of the Megane. |
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