Renault Megane sedan
It is true that the French, and especially Renault, make interesting and good cars, especially when it comes to smaller cars, but they are – and fortunately – different from the Germans.
In order not to swim too far back and miss the Renault 9 and 11, Nineteen is worth mentioning; the Germans especially liked it, and if the Germans like it, it is (at least in Europe) a good starting point for the product. The German market is by far the largest and the (big) numbers signify success.
The second generation Mégane marks a turning point in design; Until now, none of the representatives of such a critical class (obviously, "if you burn here, you are dead") dared to bring such a bold car design to the market.
Those who stick to the classics are boring, but play the card of reliability; those who adhere to trends are successful, but will be forgotten tomorrow; and those with "cohons" (colloquially Spanish for fashion, eggs) may face resistance but will join the products of timeless design. Mégane II belongs to this third group.
This brings us to the third generation form. Le Quiman retired, but even before that he had to calm his visions. Based on this, the appearance of this Renault is logical: it retains some avant-garde, but approaches the classics. From a design standpoint: a shame. In terms of sales: (probably) a good move.
If we wanted to comment on the exterior of the interior in a similar way, the words would be very similar to those used to describe the exterior. In other words: less extravagance, more classic. In fact, the most outstanding are meters that are unlike anything seen so far.
The only analogue is for the engine speed (left), in the middle - digital for speed, and on the right - two digital ones (coolant temperature, fuel amount), which imitate the shape of the analogue. On the right is the on-board computer data. Everything is completely asymmetrical, which does not bother at all, perhaps someone is confused by the mismatch of colors or the mismatch of the technique used and the display methods. Because of this, you will not be less safe behind the wheel.
With Renault Sport, Renault knows how to take care of nervous drivers, but otherwise they are geared primarily towards regular car users. However, for those who need a vehicle for transportation, there are no technicians, racers or anything like that. Maybe aesthetes, but not necessarily.
This is why a Mégane like this might have the smartest key that doesn't even need to see the day (or night) light to get in and drive away. He also knows how to lock himself, and at the right time. Thus, if desired, all four side windows are automatically moved in both directions. Therefore, the air conditioner is good, and its automatic equipment is three-stage (gentle, medium and fast), which is often the case in practice.
Therefore, nice atmosphere, very good ergonomics, the seats are comfortable, comfortable and maybe a little (too) soft, but this is just French school. Therefore, the central part of the dashboard is logically divided into two parts - air conditioning and audio system. That's why you can easily control this audio system with the tried and tested right hand drive lever.
Thus, the four buttons (or two switches) on the steering wheel dedicated to cruise control can be easily operated with your thumbs, even if they are not illuminated. Intuition. Therefore, the filling hole appears as soon as you open the door on the body, but the matter is still tight. This is probably why the brake pedal is also soft, which is why you have to get used to a small dosage of braking force.
Some taxes, as elsewhere, must be paid. The decorative "metal" edging of the speakers on the dashboard reflects unpleasantly in the outside mirrors, drawers want something more, the interior lighting is too light (from unlit mirrors in the sun blinds to a dimly lit rear bench) and visibility around the car!) of the worst among his kind. Think twice before ditching the sonic parking aid.
Therefore, the body is four-door, the chassis is comfortable, the Brake Assist system is very wild, the transmission is very good for normal use (the driver should not have higher expectations and requirements), and the engine is “only” a 1.-liter turbodiesel. If, of course, you look at a specific car that you see in real photographs.
It is a mistake to think that such an engine (for this size class) is too small due to its unusually small volume. The curves show a good gear ratio and good overlap with enough torque and power, so it's powerful enough to drive; out of town, out of town, on a long trip with luggage and on the highway.
Then (or when going uphill) it quickly loses its vitality and obviously gets tired sooner than the larger engines in the same body, but you don't have to be first in line. In fact, it only has one drawback: its small size required some tweaking (which ultimately yields the aforementioned torque and power curves), which in turn also resulted in slightly poorer accelerator pedal response. You just need to get used to it, but it doesn't hurt.
It is also a mistake to think that a small engine adapted to a larger body is loud, wobbly, and voracious. It does not stand out with noise (or better not interfere), and the consumption is good even during the chase. According to the on-board computer, the current consumption never exceeds 20 liters per 100 kilometers, and yet this only occurs in lower gears, at low engine speeds and at wide open throttle.
On average, this could mean a good six liters per 100 kilometers in the end, but the maximum (in our test on one of the longer measurements) was 9 liters per 5 kilometers.
The engine is not afraid of red, as the "forbidden" field on the tachometer is colored yellow - at 4.500 rpm. If the road is smooth and the car is not overloaded, it spins even in fifth gear, and then the speedometer shows about 180 kilometers per hour. This means that keeping the speed limit on the highway is not some special project at the request of the driver, but capturing favorable humidity and outside temperature.
I dare say: this Mégane offers everything: spaciousness, extravagance, modernity, ergonomics, comfort and performance. Enough. Not too much and not too little. Enough. And this is enough for many.
Vinko Kernz, photo: Matej Memedovich
Renault Megane Berline 1.5 dCi (78 kW) dynamic
Basic data
| Sales: | Renault Nissan Slovenia Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 18.140 € |
| Test model cost: | 19.130 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 78kW (106 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 10,5 with |
| Maximum speed: | 190 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 4,6l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.461 cm? – maximum power 78 kW (106 hp) at 4.000 rpm – maximum torque 240 Nm at 1.750 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front-wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 205/55 R 16 H (Michelin Pilot Sport). |
| Capacity: | top speed 190 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 10,5 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 5,6 / 4,0 / 4,6 l / 100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.215 kg - permissible gross weight 1.761 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.295 mm - width 1.808 mm - height 1.471 mm - fuel tank 60 l. |
| Box: | 405-1.162 l |
Our measurements
| T = 24 ° C / p = 1.290 mbar / rel. vl. = 31% / Odometer Condition: 3.527 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 11,3s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 18,0 years ( 127 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 7,5 / 11,9s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 11,0 / 13,3s |
| Maximum speed: | 190km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 9,5 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 38,7m |
| AM table: | 40m |
evaluation
From A to B stress-free, in a neat, modern and safe car with not too high speed requirements. Recognizable shape, but not as extravagant as the previous generation. A family.
We praise and reproach
Appearance
engine: consumption, smoothness, power
smart key
air conditioning
inner atmosphere
gas tank cap
ergonomics
rear visibility
interior lighting
too much help from BAS
too few boxes
engine responsiveness
