The Renault Megane, just launched on the Irish market, is European Car of the Year 2003. It achieved 322 points, 20 ahead of the runner-up, the Mazda 6. Andrew Hamilton reports
Judging was by 58 European motoring journalists who each had 25 points to award to short list of new cars that also included the Citroën C3, Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Opel/Vauxhall Vectra and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
It's the second year in succession that the French have been victorious: the European Car of the Year 2002 is the Peugeot 307.
Whereas the 307 was stylishly conventional, the Megane is a head-turner with its dramatic bustle-like backside. Internally, it is more "normal" but there are innovative features such as keyless entry. The journalist judges were impressed by Renault's adventurous styling which also finds expression in the flagship Vel Satis model. They also liked Renault's investment in safety for the Megane. It comes with eight airbags and there's a confident expectation that it will win the coveted five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test programme. The result will be announced shortly.
Another feature that impressed was the diversity of the range. The Megane family will ultimately include the Scenic MPV, a convertible with a retractable steel hardtop and an estate.
The Mazda6 was much applauded as a family car with road-holding and driving behaviour akin to the Ford Mondeo, assessed by many automotive wirters as the best in the class.
It too scored on diversity with five engines, three bodies and an all-wheel-drive transmission. The 6 is the first of a series of new Mazda models that is seen as highlighting the revival of the Japanese marque, now controlled by Ford.
There were 30 new cars in the original list. There were some prestige names that didn't make the short list including the Range Rover, Volkswagen Phaeton, Volvo XC90 and Audi 8. Nissan's new family car, the Primera was also a surprise omission.