Renault Renews The Mégane Hatch And Wagon Range

 

Renault has today launched the renewed Megane hatch and wagon range in Australia.  Renault’s striking New Brand Identity – designed by Senior Vice President of Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker – has now been rolled out across the entire Megane range to deliver a revitalised and contemporary character to Renault’s best-selling model in Australia.

First debuted on the award-winning Renault Clio, Renault’s new brand identity has been rolling out across the Renault range to ensure a unified and striking corporate design language.  The road presence of the Megane range is enhanced by the prominent and upright Renault diamond on a black background – a hallmark of Laurens van den Acker’s new design language.

The renewal of the Megane range heralds the introduction of new technology to the range – most notably the new TCe 130 turbocharged petrol engine coupled with 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission – the first vehicle to receive this combination.  This engine debuted in the Megane range in late 2013 with a 6-speed manual transmission only and producing 97 kW and 205 Nm it was well received by customers looking for sprightly performance and efficiency.  With a combined cycle performance of just 5.6 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 129g when coupled with the EDC transmission this engine reduces fuel consumption 28% over the outgoing petrol engine.  Undoubtedly the new TCe 130 petrol engine is set to become the best-seller of the Megane range.

In September 2012 Renault Australia introduced the diesel engine to the Megane hatch range, which proved an instant success with customers and immediately accounted for one third of Megane sales.  Following this success the diesel engine was added to the Megane line-up in the GT-Line specifications of both the Megane hatch and wagon.  Today the Megane diesel story continues with the introduction of two entry-level specifications – Megane Hatch Authentique with an RRP of $25,990 and Megane Wagon Dynamique with an RRP of $29,490.  The dCi 110 engine fitted in the Megane diesel variants has a fuel consumption figure of just 4.5-litres per 100km on the combined cycle – making it one of the most fuel-efficient diesel vehicles in its class.  This engine produces 240 Nm at just 1,750 rpm ensuring a sprightly and enjoyable driving experience at all times.

The technology story continues with the new Megane range with the introduction of Renault’s innovative R-Link entertainment system.  Available on various specifications across the range, R-Link includes a large seven-inch (18 cm) touchscreen display, intuitive voice commands and a home page that can be personalised by the user for safe, simple access to key functions, without the driver having to take his or her eyes off the road.  In addition the menu includes six icons, which provide access to the six main functions: Navigation, Multimedia, Phone, Vehicle, Services and Applications, and System.

In July 2013, Renault Australia introduced the limited edition Megane GT220 Sport Wagon to bridge the gap between Renault’s central Megane range and the iconic Renault Sport vehicles.  Intense global demand for this vehicle and for a hatch variant has resulted in an exciting new addition to the Renault Megane range – the new Megane GT220 Hatch and the permanent inclusion of the Megane GT220 Sport Wagon to the Megane wagon line-up.  As with the Megane GT220 Sport Wagon, the Megane GT220 Hatch features the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Megane R.S. range.  This has an output of 220 hp (or 162 kW) and 340 Nm and thanks to the addition of Stop&Start technology, has a combined cycle fuel consumption of just 7.3-litres per 100km.  The Megane GT220 Hatch and Wagon both feature a 0-100km time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. 

Commenting on the launch of the renewed Megane range Justin Hocevar, Managing Director of Renault Australia, said: “The Megane nameplate is the best known and highest selling Renault nameplate in Australia and it is exciting to introduce this renewal of the range.  We have already seen a very positive reaction by Renault customers to Laurens van den Acker’s design language with the award-winning Clio and we are confident customers will embrace the renewed Megane range.

“One of the highlights of the renewed Megane range is the introduction of the new TCe 130 petrol engine from Renault’s Energy Engine range.  This new engine delivers in all respects – from sprightly performance to impressive fuel economy and it a genuinely enjoyable drive experience.  I am confident that this engine will become a welcome addition to the Megane range and anticipate the TCe 130 representing two thirds of all Megane sales.

“Another exciting addition to the Megane range is the permanent introduction of the GT220 specification in both the Sport Wagon and Hatch variant.  We had a very positive customer reaction to the limited edition Megane GT220 Sport Wagon when we launched in 2013.  There were several customers who had previously considered a Megane RS265 but needed the practicality of a 5-door vehicle and a more family-oriented suspension set-up.  Along with several other markets we fed this strong customer acceptance back to the team at Renault Sport Technologies and we are thrilled that they were able to respond to this demand and introduce both a hatch variant of the GT220 and ensure that this specification is a permanent inclusion in the Renault Megane range.  The GT220 provides an important bridge between the central Megane range and the hard-core, hero Megane RS range, ensuring we have a vehicle to meet all customer needs.

“Megane represented approximately 27% of total Renault sales in 2013 and I am confident that the popularity of the Megane nameplate will continue to grow and be spearheaded by the renewed range.

“So far this year Renault sales have grown by 53% over the same period last year and the new Megane range will help to ensure our rate of growth continues strongly throughout the remainder of 2014,” Mr Hocevar said.

All variants of the Megane Hatch and Wagon have a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty and 5 years’ roadside assist.  All vehicles in the Megane range have 1 year servicing intervals and are covered by Renault’s Capped Price servicing program.  The first three services are capped at just $299 per service.

The renewed Megane hatch and wagon ranges go on sale nationally on Monday 27th July, 2014.