Cepsa Auto Team

ROB MAETZIG

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Agile and sure-footed in the true European tradition, (Megane) has to rate as among the best on the market.

Let’s go back a couple of months to a media conference in Auckland, where Motorcorp Distributors Ltd, the importer of Renault product into New Zealand, announced plans to dramatically increase sales of the French vehicles here.

It’s actually a case of nowhere to go but up.

Last year, just 14 Renaults were sold in New Zealand – so although the mathematicians among us will say that the new plans to retail 175 vehicles over the remainder of this year and more than 300 next year represents an increase of several thousand per cent, fewer than 200 sales over a nine-month period isn’t that big a deal. Not really.

The only major hindrance to Motorcorp’s grand plan is that there are currently only four Renault dealerships in New Zealand – two in Auckland and one each in Wellington and Christchurch – but even then that’s where most of the Kiwi population is, so the small dealer representation shouldn’t be an issue.

But what about the Renault product itself?

That’s another issue again. Renault has been re-launched here armed with a quartet of model lines. From Korea, there’s the Fluence medium-sized sedan and the Koleos SUV, and from France itself there’s a Megane CC (coupe-cabriolet).

In each case, my personal jury is out as to whether any of these three models will make any sort of sales impact here.

But I’m quite convinced that the fourth model in the lineup can sell well.

It’s the Megane hatchback, a good-looking and well-specified 2.0-litre vehicle that enters the market with pricing that makes it entirely competitive against the European and Asian opposition.

This hatch, which is built in Turkey, is available as a base model with a six-speed manual for $31,990, or with a Nissan-sourced continuously variable automatic transmission for $34,990. If a Luxury pack is added to the auto version, it adds leather upholstery, satellite navigation and reversing sensors and takes the price up to $39,990.

The Renault Megane has been on the international motoring scene since 1995 when it replaced the Renault 19, and every generation of the car has sold in New Zealand.

The model we’re only just getting now is the third-generation version that has been around since late 2008, and visually perhaps its most distinctive feature is that it lacks distinction. In stark contrast to the second-generation Megane, which had that bustle-like rear hatch design, this model is conventional in its looks.

But the car is attractive. It strikes a low and wide pose, with a pronounced shoulder line running its length, and big feline-looking headlights. Inside, Megane is comfortable and well specified, and it has a lovely European-style driver position.

Also a little special is the unique Renault card, which is about the size of a thin cellphone and which automatically locks and unlocks the Megane and also allows the driver to simply push a start button to start or stop the vehicle.

The first time I drove this car, after parking it and walking away I was surprised when it beeped at me and locked itself when I got about four metres away. When I wanted to get back in, as long as the card was in my pocket, I simply touched a door handle and it unlocked again.

My only real criticism of this Renault’s interior is the rear load area, which is quite restricted at 360 litres with all seats in use. Although the rear seats split and fold for more room, they don’t do it with the same sort of efficiency offered by most of today’s Japanese and Korean hatchbacks.

Mind you, I suppose it could be said that if you desire additional load space you could opt for the Fluence. This car – which is essentially a Megane sedan, even though Renault says it is not – has the same engine-transmission mix, has a longer wheelbase and a boot capable of carrying 530 litres of cargo with all seats in use.

Megane’s engine is a four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC unit that, when mated to the CVT, produces 103 kilowatts of power and 195 Newton metres of torque. It goes well, with the auto able to be used as a six-speed manual if desired.

There are other hatchbacks on the market with engine performance potential superior to this Renault. But what elevates the Megane to the status of being a very good car is its ride and handling. It’s impressive.

Agile and sure-footed in the true European tradition, it has to rate as among the best on the market.

During the week I had a top-spec Luxury version for road test, I thoroughly enjoyed any opportunity to grab hold of the car’s chunky steering wheel and get all enthusiastic.

So overall, maybe it could be said that the third-generation Megane delivers a lot more than its conservative looks suggest. It is an unusually agile vehicle that belies the fairly modest power and torque outputs its engine produces.

It has the goods to do well in New Zealand. It’ll be interesting to see if Motorcorp can achieve its planned sales targets via the ridiculously small number of dealerships it has in New Zealand.

– Taranaki

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