Renault is piling on "la différence" with the new Megane. Andrew Hamilton sets the market scene.
French cars have always been that bit different and the new Megane, which has just gone on Irish sale, carries on that tradition. For a start, it comes with an eye-catching and generous rump that is similar in appearance to that of the Vel Satis flagship.
Then there are innovative touches such as a card that controls locking, unlocking and the ignition start button; automatic headlamps and automatic windscreen wipers. The handbrake is aviation style, similar to what you would find in an aircraft cockpit.
Megane competes in the lower-medium sector of the market where major players include Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 307, Toyota Corolla and Opel Astra. Bill Cullen, Renault Ireland's chairman, sees Opel as particularly vulnerable to the new French arrival. "But we think all our rivals will be left reeling by class-leading equipment levels at class-leading prices."
Irish ex-works prices start from €19,000. That buys the entry-level 98bhp 1.4 litre Authentique in five-door hatchback form. Other trim levels are Sport and Dynamique.
The other engine option is a 80bhp 1.5dCi common rail diesel with an ex works price of €21,450. The standard specification on Authentique includes electric front windows, a CD player and radio unit with four speakers and fingertip remote control, and front underfloor storage bins. Air conditioning and metallic paint are extras.
Buyers opting for the Sports trim get the automatic headlamps and the rain sensitive automatic wipers, rear electric windows, air conditioning that includes a cooled glovebox, lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat and adjustable front headrests. Ex works prices here are €20,300 for the 1.4 litre and €23,750 for the diesel.
The top trim, Dynamique, is available only with the 1.4 litre petrol unit at €20,800 ex works. Its standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, an electric panoramic sunroof, satin chrome door handles and a leather steering wheel and gear knob.
Renault is marketing the three-door version of the Megane as the Sports Coupé. It comes with two trim levels, Authentique and Dynamique. For the present, it's available only with the 1.4 litre engine. The entry-level Authentique is €19,500 ex works while the Dynamique version is €21,700 ex works. A 1.6 litre engine with variable valve timing developing 115bhp will be added to the line-up soon with prices from €22,750 ex works.
These Megane arrivals are only the start. Megane II will appear in all in seven different guises and will drip feed into the market during 2003. Next are the Scenic mini-MPV and a cabriolet, complete with a Mercedes SLK style folding roof. Both will debut at the Geneva motor show next spring. They will be followed by the four-door saloon and estate. After that will come the seventh model, likely to be a four-wheel-drive variant.
New Megane has been built on Renault's all-new C platform developed in conjunction with partner Nissan, and which will provide the underpinnings of the next generation Almera.
Bigger and wider than the car it replaces and with increased headroom, the Megane is looking to continue Renault's impressive safety record. The Megane needs top marks in Euro NCAP's crash tests to overtake the four-star rated VW Golf and Ford's Focus. To that end, the three-door carries Renault's newest safety device, an anti-submarining airbag, in the cushion of the front seats, to protect the pelvis.
Bill Cullen sees Megane II as boosting market share to around eight per cent next year from a current 7.3 per cent. He is optimistic about the new car market remaining buoyant in 2003.
"There is good news out there still," he says. "Interest rates are very very low and cars such as the Megane II are giving better value for money than ever with enhanced levels of equipment."