The grown up, understated styling of the new Renault Talisman and Espace has evidently trickled down to the all-new Mégane as well. The ground-up new model has front and rear fascias lifted straight from the range topping sedan plus a matching interior.
It’s a surprisingly predictable design effort from Renault, a manufacturer not usually into having a family face. Think of the “big-booty” Mégane of 2002 and how that was very different to the period Laguna, yet both looked like they belonged in the same range – this is a dumbed down way of achieving visual cohesion and it’s a clear change of direction for the brand.
Renault was one of the last mainstream automakers whose offerings weren’t just photocopies of one single design then either blown up or shrunken…
The new Mégane is a much more serious and imposing looking car than before. Its striking front and rear design helps the indistinct middle bit to not be offensive, even though if we would be extra critical we’d call it a bit too round and bubbly-looking – hopefully the trade-off is good rear headroom.
As far as technical specs go, there’s hardly anything in the official blurb accompanying the photos posted below. We’re only told that it’s 25mm lower up front, has a 47mm wider front track and 39mm wider track at the back.
And, of course, here’s the obligatory accompanying official quote, this time supplied by the Mégane’s exterior designer, Franck Le Gall.
He said “on the highly competitive market of compact saloons, it was vital that New Mégane should stand out right from the first glance. The precise, taut lines, which draw the whole design towards the front, are part of the side surfaces. In combination with the sculpted shoulders, these lines give New Mégane dynamism and character.”
Additional photos and more info on the engine range and other improvements over the previous version will be announced closer to or at the Frankfurt motor show debut.
Note: The blue car in the gallery previews the sporty-looking GT trim
Photo Gallery
