By: Dave Abrahams
Frankfurt Motor Show - By choosing to introduce its all-new fourth generation Megane at the Messe, Renault has thrown down the gauntlet to its major competitors on their home turf.
Should they be afraid? That, only time and the market will tell - but they should take note, as we did, of the new Megane's vital statistics.
Built on what Le Regie has named the Common Module Family architecture, it's big by the standards of its class. At 4359mm overall it's 64mm longer than its predecessor on a wheelbase only 28mm longer at 2669mm - but it's also 47mm wider in front and 39mm wider at the rear and, at 1447mm, 25mm lower.
Indicators and tail-lights (which stay on all the time) are LED, as are the headlights on top-end models.
It'll be available at launch with a range of three turbodiesel and three turbopetrol engines ranging from 66kW to 151kW, topped by a hotshot GT version with all-wheel steering, developed in collaboration with the performance junkies at Renaultsport,
The three diesels are rated at 66kW, 81kW and 96kW, each standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, although the 81kW 110 dCi will also be available with a six-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.
The turbopetrol trio come in 74kW, 96kW and 151kW flavours; the base engine has a six-speed manual 'box, the middle-of-the-road TCe 130 will be offered with either six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch auto cogset, and the seven-speed auto is standard on the TCe 205 in the GT.
Still to come in 2016 is a GT variant with a 122kW dCi 165 turbodiesel and six-speed dual-clutch auto, and they'll be joined in 2017 by what Renault is calling a 'Hybrid Assist' diesel - in reality a mild hybrid with a belt-driven starter/generator to supplement the combustion engine's output acceleration and recoup wasted energy to the battery on the overrun.
UPMARKET FURNISHINGS
The cockpit-style interior is centred on a soft-touch dashboard that extends in a continuous sweep to the door cappings and down to the centre console, ending in a fore-and-aft adjustable armrest.
The upholstery comes in five grades, all in designer shades of black with contrasting top-stitching, the most luxurious being a special velour developed by the same people who brought you alcantara synthetic suede. Top-end trim also features seat heating, electric lumbar adjustment and, for the driver, a massage function.
The Bose audio system includes a digital amplifier, nine speakers and a sub-woofer.
Being built on the CMF modular platform allows the new Megane to borrow features from its bigger and more expensive Espace and Talisman stable-mates, such as a full colour head-up display, a customisable seven-inch virtual instrument panel, and a portrait-format 8.7 inch infotainment touchscreen.
Driver aids include adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking, lane departure, safe distance and speed limit warnings - linked to traffic sign recognition - and blind spot monitoring.
A reversing camera, automatic headlight dipping, hands-free parking and front, rear and side parking sensors are options.
Even the entry-level trim includes a seven inch colour infotainment display, while higher-specification models come with an 8.7 inch portrait-format touchscreen that can read 'pinch and zoom' gestures, like a smartphone or tablet.
The Multi-Sense button on the centre console offers a choice of five driving modes, re-mapping accelerator pedal, engine and auto transmission responses to your choice of Sport, Normal Comfort, Personal or Eco modes - except that in GT spec Eco is replaced by a sportier RS Drive mode.
It also accesses the control mappings for the massage function and the five-colour ambient cabin lighting set-up.
MEGANE GT - THE RENAULTSPORT INFLUENCE.
The flagship GT model not only has 151kW of turbopetrol power and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it also comes with recalibrated springs dampers, brakes and electronic stability control parameters, as well as four-wheel steering.
The special Renaultsport transmission features multiple downshifts and a launch control function.
It has special grille trims, a wider air intake, special 18 inch Renaultsport rims, an F1 style rear diffuser between dual chromed tailpipes, and special Renaultsport badging.
Inside there's a special sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals, stubby sports gear lever, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters - and an additional 'Race' mode for the instrument cluster and display screen.
Wrap-around 'clamshell' sports seats with integral head restraints, blue top stitching and a chequered sports logo are upholstered in your choice of fabric, alcantara with blue stripes and alcantara with black stripes.