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By
EWAN KENNEDY
10 October 2011
Renault
is continuing its big push on the Australian market with a
turbo-diesel version of its Megane five-door hatchback.
The French marque is very strong in Europe, where it sells
millions of cars every year, but has never had huge success in
other continents. Hence its willingness to throw money at the
Australian market by way of marketing campaigns. Renault has
refreshed its Australian team as well, with something like 75 per
cent of the old guard having been replaced by fresh new faces.
This has led to strong price incentives, as well as new models,
such as the Samsung-built Renault Latitude.
Megane has been one of the strong sellers in the revamped Renault
lineup so it makes sense to offer buyers the choice a 1.5-litre
diesel engine to complement the existing 2.0-litre petrol engine.
While 1.5 litres seems rather small, this is a thoroughly modern
powerplant that puts out 240 Newton metres of torque at just 1750
rpm, with strong output above and below that number that allows it
to pulls very low revs in normal driving. During our initial test
drives at the press launch of the engine we liked its purposeful
sound and willingness to rev.
The engine is connected to a dual-clutch transmission, again in
the interests of improving economy. Like all of its type it can be
irritating in its characteristics at very low speed, but works
very well above about five km/h.
Renault tells us it has measured the fuel consumption of this
drivetrain at 4.5 litres per hundred kilometres, a lower number
than we anticipated. However, we found it running in the low sixes
most of the time during our testing in hilly country conditions in
southern Victoria. That’s 33 per cent higher diesel consumption
than the number on the official paperwork…
We have yet to test the new Megane diesel in traffic conditions,
but will do so later and report back on the fuel figures.
Renault Megane has lovely on-road dynamics. The French really do
love comfort and character in their cars and this five-door family
hatch has a sporting feel that we enjoyed. It turns neatly into
bends, holds onto the black stuff at speeds much higher than are
likely to be attempted by owners. At the same time it provides
good feedback through the steering wheel and the seat of your
pants.
All this comes while retaining high levels of passenger comfort,
even on rough and ready Australian roads. Tyre noise is well
damped and even our notorious coarse-chip surfaces didn’t
increase noise levels to an unpleasant roar, as often happens in
imported cars.
Renault is aiming the Megane five-door at a crowded segment of the
Australian market. Competitors are big sellers like Volkswagen
Golf, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, and many
more.
So the importers have started the price of the new Megane Dynamic
diesel at a very reasonable $27,490. Until the end of October it
will back this price up with three years free servicing and offers
finance at an attractive 3.9 per cent.
Other ways of attracting new business to the Renault fold include
a five-year / unlimited kilometre on most passenger vehicles,
including the new diesel version of the Megane.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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