We’ve discussed the look of the all-new Renault Megane on a number of previous occasions, so now we’ll focus on the newly-released technical information. The big news in the Megane corner is the addition of 4Control for the GT (a feature unique in the segment), as well as its larger overall dimensions.
It is a more grown up car, both in terms of the image it exudes and also actual size. It’s 64 mm longer than the old car, but 25 mm lower and it also features the obligatory shortened overhangs – this is a design trick that always seems to work wonders.
Renault also insists that this new profile enhances the car’s aerodynamic properties compared to the previous third-gen car.
Inside, the large (portrait-style) screen that we saw takes up most of the center stack space, measures 8.7 inches and it comes with the familiar Renault R-Link operating system; it was good and snappy on older Renault with smaller screens so we assume it’s only gotten even better and more intuitive along with the new car.
It also has an available head-up display or HUD, along with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed warning, auto-dimming high beams and a reversing camera. For those for whom parking is a chore, Easy Park Assist will only require footwork and button pressing.
The engine range will have buyers choosing from units ranging from 90 PS all the way to 205 PS. The base petrol and diesel units are the TCe 100 (1.2-liter turbo) and the dCi 90 respectively (that’s a 1.5-liter with 90 PS).
Move up the range and you will gain access to Renault’s new 1.6-liter diesels. There’s another 1.5-liter, the dCi 110 which you can get with an EDC dual-clutch, then a pair of the new units.
One is the dCi 130, the other called dCi 165. Renault only quotes the economy and CO2 emissions of the dCi 110 with a manual gearbox and it reportedly uses up just 3.3 l/100 km (85.6 mpg UK) – CO2 is 86 g/km.
If you’re more into gasoline power, then after the measly TCe 100 you can opt for stronger units like the TCe 130, another 1.2 turbo. It too can be had with the EDC. The most powerful engine, the 1.6-liter TCe 205 is exclusively available on the GT model, as is the most powerful diesel, the dCi 165.
The TCe 205 is exclusively available with the EDC, but the warmed up GT trim will debut later than the standard model, sometime “in the course of 2016.”