|
By
EWAN KENNEDY
24 November 2008
Renault
Sport, the high-performance division of the French marque has
introduced a turbo-diesel model to Australia. A brave move because
most Australians at this stage think only of fuel economy when
diesel is mentioned.
The
Megane Renault Sport dCi 175 (for 175 horsepower, or 127
kilowatts) is a genuine semi-race car that can be used on club
events of a weekend. The engine is a 2.0-litre unit and is already
familiar to us in other models in the Renault range. But for the
Megane 175 it has been modified to produce a strong 360 Newton
metres at only 2000 rpm.
European
drivers believe that a sports model should give the driver maximum
control over the engine, so the Renault Sport dCi has a six-speed
manual gearbox. A slick unit that changes gear almost as though
this is a rear-wheel drive car, not like the majority of front
driver gearboxes that can feel rather distant from the driver’s
hand.
Indeed,
the complete car feels beautifully balanced and it’s only when
you push it to extremes that the virtually inevitable front drive
understeer comes into play. But does so in a gradual, easily
controlled manner.
The
Megane's suspension is to ‘Cup Chassis’ specification and has
virtually the same setup as the Renault Sport 225 petrol model.
That is, it comes with larger-diameter anti-roll bars than the
standard Megane, as well as using firmer bushes and slightly
different geometry. Any differences between the petrol and diesel
models is generally there only to allow for the slightly greater
weight of the diesel engine.
The
Renault Sport dCi has been lowered in its suspension and sits on
large alloy wheels which improves its looks as well as the
handling. The changes to the body of the Renault Megane to create
the Sport Megane 175 are striking. You certainly wouldn’t use
the word subtle to describe the Megane hatch, even in standard
format and the Sport variant is one of the more standout cars on
the Australian roads today. However, the turbo-diesel dCi does
miss out on the rear wing that’s used on the 225 petrol model.
Pity!
Brakes
are as important as the engine in any high-performance machine, so
the Megane Renault Sport uses large Brembo disc calipers at the
front and rear. However, the lower power output of the 175 hp
diesel compared with the 225 hp petrol means that drilling for
additional disc cooling wasn’t considered necessary on the
turbo-diesel.
Despite
the performance available from the diesel engine the Renault Sport
Megane turbo-diesel can travel on easy-going country roads with
consumption below five litres per hundred kilometres if you are
willing to put a bit of effort into your economy driving. It can
commute in normal traffic with a consumption of about seven to
eight litres per hundred. Track use? Expect it to be considerably
higher as that turbo will be doing a lot of work forcing in extra
fuel. But it still shouldn’t reach outrageous heights.
These
fuel consumption on-road numbers are ridiculously low by
performance car terms. Sometimes being less than half of those of
a petrol engine producing the same amount of engine torque.
This
is certainly no uncomfortable stripped-down track special, the
French do like their comfort no matter what the cars intentions.
The Megane 175 comes into the upmarket league with leather trim, a
six-disc CD player, climate-controlled air conditioning, cruise
control and power windows and door mirrors.
Like
all Renaults, the Megane CDI has a five-star rating under the
European New Car Assessment Program (E-NCAP). This is achieved not
only by the use of multiple airbags, but also by the basic design
of a body that is rigid in the correct places, yet yields in
others to cushion the shock of a collision.
On
the road the Megane 175 provided surprisingly good ride comfort,
though it was obvious at times that it had a sporting suspension
that could be taken by surprise by some bumps and humps.
The
engine was generally quiet, with the usual proviso in any diesel
that its sound is always evident at idle, particularly when the
engine’s cold. Under hard acceleration it has a business-like
growl that’s quite different from that of a petrol engine. A
sound that may not be immediately pleasing to the ear because of
this difference. But one that we soon came to know and love.
In
August at the time of the vehicles Australian debut at the
Wakefield Park racing circuit we were able to push the Renault
Sport hot hatch to its limits. It really impressed us with its
high levels of road grip, nicely neutral feel in all but extreme
conditions and in particular at its predictable behaviour.
Megane
Renault Sport dCi 175 comes to Australia at $39,990, which is a
pretty low price for a performance car of its size. Indeed, we
suspect the price reflects Renault Australia's concern about this
early entrant in a new market segment. A concern that if
alleviated may seen the price of the dCi rise to a more normal
level. If you agree it may be worth a trip to your Renault dealer
sooner rather than later.
AT
A GLANCE
MODEL
RANGE
Renault Megane Sport dCi 1.9-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch:
$39,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Not offered
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS
(Renault Megane Sport dCi 1.9-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.995 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 15.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 84.0 mm x 90.0 mm
Maximum Power: 127 kW @ 3750 rpm
Maximum Torque: 360 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Not offered
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4209 mm
Wheelbase: 2625 mm
Width: 1777 mm
Height: 1458 mm
Turning Circle: 10.35 metres
Kerb Mass: 1380 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 650 kg (2000 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION
AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, L-shaped lower
arm, anti-sway bar
Rear Suspension: H-style rear axle, anti-sway bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 8.5 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.3 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
