2010 Renault Megane Hatch Set For Australian Launch In September

Leading an onslaught of new models - five in total - Renault Australia has announced today that the 2010 Renault Megane Hatch will make its Australian debut in mid-September.

The new Megane Hatch's local launch will be followed in the months after by the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet and the range-topping Megane Renault Sport 250 Cup and Cup Trophee models - although Renault Australia is holding launch details for those models close to its chest, for now.

Outside of the Megane range, Renault Australia is also set to launch the new Renault Fluence sedan this year, along with the exhaustingly-named Clio Renault Sport Gordini Limited Edition.

Back to the Hatch, the third-generation Megane will enter the Renault line-up at $22,990, bringing with it a 103kW 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and, according to Renault, "a host of equipment from the next segment up".

Styling

The styling of the Megane III is a marked departure from its predecessor, the pronounced posterior of the current Megane hatch dropped in favour of a smoother, more conventional tailgate.

The glasshouse is less upright and the Megane III flaunts a much more elegant and aerodynamic shape than the current car as well.

Far more conventional looking than the current model, the new Megane features the ‘new face’ of Renault – a front end that shares plenty in common with the Laguna and the recently-revealed Fluence and Wind models.

Interior

The refinements continue in the cabin, with a new instrument cluster (with a digital speedo and analogue tachometer) giving the Megane's cockpit a sporting flavour.  

The new Megane is available in Dynamique and Privilege trim levels, the Dynamique grade forming the entry-level, while the Privilege grade gets leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob.

Renault says the seats of the new Megane have been designed specifically with long-distance travel in mind, with specially-developed thick foam cushioning and intuitive controls for seatback, headrest and lumbar support. The steering wheel too is reach- and height-adjustable.

On the storage front, the new Megane Hatch carries over the under-floor storage options featured with the Megane II, while the front door bins can hold a one-litre bottle.

The centre console stowage incorporates space underneath the armrest and rear passengers can profit from an easily accessible cubby.

The New Renault Mégane Hatch also stands out by the amount of luggage it can hold, its boot volume of 368 litres figuring amongst the best in the segment.

Equipment

Renault says the new Megane Hatch has been specified to a level that will evoke thoughts of 'the next segment up'.

Among its features are Renault's hands-free Smart Card entry and ignition, automatically locking the doors when the driver walks away from the vehicle.

The doors can also be locked automatically by pressing on the button situated on the driver’s side door handle. They unlock when the hand of the person carrying the card approaches one of the door handles or activates the boot latch.

Standard with the Privilege and optional with the Dynamique grade is a GPS navigation system, dubbed Carminat Bluetooth CD (2D navigation with 5.8-inch colour display).

The Carminat Bluetooth CD incorporates GPS navigation, a radio-CD with MP3 playback and Bluetooth hands-free telephone controls, managed via a joystick control located in the middle of the centre console.

The Dynamique model features a pollen filter with its air-condition, upgraded to automatic dual-zone climate control for the Privilege grade.

Safety has been upgraded for the new model too, with ABS, ESP, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist being fitted to all cars in the Megane range as standard. 

Mechanical

The New Mégane hatch is available with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder 16V petrol engine, delivering 103KW and maximum torque of 195Nm. It drives through either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. 

Renault Mégane’s front suspension features MacPherson-type struts with rectangular lower arms and a 22mm-diameter anti-roll bar, while the rear incorporates a programmed-deflection flexible beam. 

Renault says the combination of springs calibrated at 19.5mm/100DaN at the front, and 20.2mm/100DaN at the rear, along with revised damping technology, has enhanced the vertical suspension performance and reduced body roll.

The Mégane’s specific roll angle is listed as 0.42° for lateral acceleration of 1m/s². The European segment average is 0.45°.

Braking is managed by 280mm vented front discs and 260mm rear discs, pulling the Megane to a halt from 100km/h in 39 metres.

Pricing

Availability for the Renault Megane Hatch has yet to be announced, although it is scheduled for a September launch.

• Mégane Dynamique 6 Speed Manual $22,990
• Mégane Dynamique CVT $24,990
• Mégane Privilege CVT $29,990 

Note: all prices are Manufacturer's List Price.