NEWS
Megane facelift ushers in GT220 hatch
New drivetrain combos and new variants introduced for Renault's facelifted small carRenault's mid-life facelift for the Megane has presented the importer with an opportunity to readjust the range in Australia, adding new variants to build on the car's acknowledged strengths in the segment.
Former entry-level model, the Megane Expression, is replaced by the new Megane Authentique, which shares its petrol TCe 130 engine (a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo) with the older variant. Now, however, there's a self-shifting dual-clutch transmission option – Efficient Dual Clutch or EDC as Renault refers to it – joining the six-speed manual transmission on offer. The EDC box adds $2500 to the price of the manual variant, and Renault claims that the new drivetrain combination delivers a 28 per cent reduction in fuel consumption against the nearest previous counterpart – the Megane Expression with 2.0-litre engine and CVT.
Renault has also combined the higher-performance GT220 drivetrain in hatchback form, to partner the wagon. The 2.0-litre engine remains available with manual transmission only, but otherwise the hatch lends Renault a product to rival the VW Golf GTi, with the wagon remaining a direct competitor to Skoda's Octavia RS 162TSI wagon.
Prices have been adjusted upwards by $500 for some variants, with the GT-Line and GT220 models gaining a Premium Pack that features Renault's R-Link, in the case of the GT220 Premium integrating RS Monitor 2.0 – a telemetric system that records the vehicle's dynamic data, to be subsequently downloaded and replayed on PC or Mac computers.
R-Link – also available in lower grades (N/A Authentique, Dynamique) but without RS Monitor – is an infotainment system incorporating satellite navigation and Bluetooth with audio streaming, and displays in a tablet format touch screen for all levels of trim other than the base-grade Megane Authentique. Operation is via voice control or a joystick in the centre console.
The Visio system bundled in with other equipment comprises a forward-looking camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror to alert the driver by means of an audible alarm and a visual cue in the instrument display if the car is straying out of its lane. In addition, Visio automatically adjusts the headlights to high-beam in low-light situations, reverting to low beam as another car approaches, or the Renault closes in on a car ahead. The lane departure warning is operational at speeds of 70km/h and above.
Other driving aids include Hill Start Assist, which is standard across the Megane range, and a reversing camera, available as standard in the Premium grade models. Indicators are now the one-touch type for merging on freeways.
At entry level the Megane Authentique (hatch only) comes equipped with air conditioning, cloth seats, electric mirrors with mirror shells finished in black, DRLs (daytime running lights) integrated in the front fog lights, lever handbrake, MP3-compatible CD audio system with USB/Aux input, cruise control, 16-inch steel wheels, six airbags (including side curtains), and height-adjustable driver's seat.
As the entry-level wagon, the Megane Dynamique is positioned higher than the Authentique hatch, offering dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing lights/rain-sensing wipers, electric park brake, LED DLRs, leather gear knob/steering wheel, front/rear parking sensors, adjustable lumbar support for driver's seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, luggage net and heated/fold-in body coloured exterior mirrors.
The specification for the Megane GT-Line is shared by hatch and wagon alike. Standard equipment includes: Uprated springs/dampers, cloth/leather seats, different bumpers, upgraded dash with sports instruments, 17-inch alloy wheels, R-Link satellite navigation and keyless entry/start.
GT-Line Premium models additionally feature 'cool grey' leather seats, heated front seats, rear centre armrest with cup holders, Visio system, reversing camera and panoramic sunroof.
GT220 models ride on a specific chassis tune, and are fitted with sports cloth seats, leather gear knob/steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels with Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres, sports instruments, reverse parking sensors, red-themed interior trim, roof bars for the wagon and Hill Start Assist. Trimmed to Premium level, the GT220 gains the 'cool grey' leather seats – heated in front, rear centre armrest, Visio system, front parking sensors, reversing camera, panoramic sunroof and R-link with RS Monitor 2.0.
Three engines power the revised Megane line-up. The TCe 130 turbo-petrol engine develops 97kW/205Nm and uses fuel at the rate of 5.6L/100km in combined-cycle testing. Only the entry-level Megane Authentique hatch matches this engine with a six-speed manual transmission. All other variants with the 1.2-litre four under the bonnet feature the Getrag EDC transmission, which is a six-speed unit employing dry-plate clutches.
Renault has carried over the 1.5-litre DCi 110 turbo-diesel engine in the revised range, coupled exclusively to the EDC transmission and producing 81kW/240Nm for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.5L/100km.
GT220 models – now a permanent addition to the Megane range and extended to hatchback variants – feature the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder matched to a six-speed manual transmission. Peak output for the engine is 162kW/340Nm and the fuel consumption figure is 7.3L/100km. All three engines are Euro 5-compliant.
As before, the Megane is built on a longer wheelbase for the wagon, and both body styles run on a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam. Steering is an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion set-up and the brakes comprise ventilated front discs and solid rear discs – the GT220's front rotors measuring 320x28mm versus 280x24mm for the other variants.
Built in Spain, the facelifted Megane, which is known within Renault as the 'new brand identity' model, brings the small car's looks in line with those of the light segment Clio. New bumper, grille, new corporate logo details and daytime running lights for all models barring the entry-level Megane Authentique distinguish the revised Megane from the previous model. Both cars have been styled by Renault's chief designer, Laurens van den Acker, formerly the Mazda designer responsible for the smiley-face look of the recently superseded Mazda3.
All Meganes – including the GT220 models – are covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with roadside assistance for the duration. Service intervals are set at one year and under the Capped Price service program for the car, the first three services cost the owner $299 each.
Renault's official on-sale date for the revised Megane is Monday, July 27, priced as follows:
Megane
Hatch Authentique petrol manual – $20,990 (no change)
Hatch Authentique petrol EDC – $23,490 (+$500 over 2.0 Expression with CVT)
Hatch Authentique diesel EDC – $25,990 (new)
Hatch GT-Line petrol EDC – $26,990 (+$500 over 2.0 GT-Line with CVT)
Hatch GT-Line diesel EDC – $29,490 (+$500 over previous model)
Hatch GT-Line Premium Pack petrol EDC – $30,990 (new)
Hatch GT-Line Premium Pack diesel EDC – $33,490 (new)
Wagon Dynamique petrol EDC – $26,990 (+$500 over 2.0 Dynamique with CVT)
Wagon GT-Line Petrol EDC – $28,490 (+$500 over 2.0 GT-Line with CVT)
Wagon Dynamique diesel EDC – $29,490 (new)
Wagon GT-Line diesel EDC – $31,490 (+$500 over previous model)
Wagon GT-Line Premium Pack Petrol EDC – $32,490 (new)
Wagon GT-Line Premium Pack diesel EDC – $35,490 (new)
GT220 Hatch – $35,490 (new)
GT220 Sport Wagon – $36,990 (no change)
GT220 Hatch Premium Pack – $39,490 (new)
GT220 Sport Wagon Premium Pack – $40,990 (new)
Picture legend: Megane GT220 (blue), GT-Line Premium diesel wagon (grey), GT-Line petrol hatch (white), Authentique hatch (red)
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Written byKen Gratton
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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