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By
EWAN KENNEDY
20 August 2007
Though Renault is one of the big players in the diesel engine
field in Europe, the French marque has been slow at introducing these
economy engines to Australia. The big Renault Laguna finally arrived
here late in 2006, but is on the expensive side, and not everyone
wanting to cut their fuel costs is willing to pay close to $50,000 to
put one on the road.
Now the Renault Megane is here with a turbo-diesel option, and
sells from just $27,990 plus on-road costs. It’s only sold here
with a four-door sedan body, not in cheeky hatchback format with
its radical ‘big-bum’ treatment.
The new turbo-diesel is a modern 1.9-litre four-cylinder unit
that produces 96 kW, and 300 Nm at 2000 rpm. Our initial testing
shows it to have plenty of punch once it has got past the initial
turbo-lag stage, and it’s happy to rev to about 4000 before it
all starts to become a bit breathless and demand another gear from
the six-speed manual gearbox.
Renault insisted in having the option of an automatic
transmission on Australian imports because, unlike European
drivers, many here prefer the transmission to do its own work.
That was part of the reason for the slow start with diesels in
this country. The automatic is only a four-speed so lags when
compared to the six-speed manual. Auto is offered on the
lower-spec model, the Megane Expression, for an additional $2500
and is standard on the topline Megane Privilege, priced at
$35,990.
Fuel consumption suffers when you specify the auto, it uses 6.8
litres per hundred kilometres when tested according to Australian
standards. Not a bad figure in its own right, but a long way up on
the miserly 5.8 litres per hundred km from the manual Megane. That
latter number can see you getting 1000 km between refills on
country trips.
As is the way with all four-cylinder diesels, the Megane's
engine is fairly noisy at idle and isn’t as smooth as its petrol
brother. The sound is well deadened when you are sitting inside
the car and in-cabin refinement improves noticeably as well.
The Megane Expression diesel comes with high specification
levels, including Renault's smart-card ‘key’ alloy wheels,
automatic lights and wipers, climate control and cruise control.
The latter has a built-in speed limiter. Privilege adds leather
trim, 17-inch alloy wheels, a more powerful audio system with a
six-CD stacker, an automatically dimming interior mirror and rear
parking sensors.
Renault has been pushing very strongly in safety for a long
time so it comes as no surprise that the Megane turbo-diesel has
six airbags, ESP (electronic stability program) and ABS brakes
with brake assist.
On the road the Renault Megane is refined and comfortable to
ride in, very much in the French manner. It handles nicely and
looks after the driver well should they make a mistake or fail to
concentrate properly.
Unlike the Renault Laguna, which is currently only imported to
Australia as a diesel, the Megane is also offered with a petrol
engine.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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