Renault Mégane

Renault Mégane
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1995–present
Designer	Patrick le Quément
Body and chassis
Class	British: Small family car European: C-segment
Layout	FF layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault 19
Successor	Renault Fluence (for saloon)

The Renault Mégane is a small family car (C-segment in Europe) produced by the French automaker Renault since 1995, and was the successor to the Renault 19.

The Mégane has been offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate bodystyles at various points in its lifetime, and has been through three generations. The first generation was largely based on its predecessor, the 19, and utilized modified versions of that car's drivetrain and chassis. In 1996, the Mégane Scénic compact MPV was introduced, using the same mechanical components as the hatchback Mégane.

For 2002, the Mégane entered its second generation with a substantial redesign taking place, and was voted European Car of the Year for 2003, whilst also becoming the first car in its class to receive a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. The Mégane entered its third generation in 2008, with another totally different design being used; the saloon version of the Mégane became known as the Renault Fluence for this generation, and it was introduced in 2009. A fourth generation Mégane is expected in 2015, with sales set to begin in 2016.

Mégane I (1995–2002)

Mégane I
Overview
Also called	Renault Mégane Classic (Saloon)
Production	1995–2002 1999–2009 (Colombia) 1996–2009 (Argentina)
Assembly	Bursa, Turkey (Oyak-Renault) Envigado, Colombia (Sofasa) Córdoba, Argentina (Renault Argentina) Douai, France Palencia, Spain (Renault Spain) Moscow, Russia (Avtoframos) Cuernavaca, Mexico Jakarta, Indonesia (Auto Euro) Haren-Vilvoorde, Belgium (RIB)
Designer	Patrick Le Quément (1991)[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 3-door coupé 5-door hatchback 2-door convertible 5-door estate (LHD only)
Related	Renault Scénic Renault 19
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L E7J I4 1.4 L K4J I4 1.6 L K7M I4 2.0 L F3R I4 2.0 L F5R I4 2.0 L F7R I4 1.9 L F9Q D I4 1.9 L F9Q dT/dTi I4 1.9 L F9Q dCi I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Hatchback, Sedan & Wagon: 2,580 mm (101.6 in) Coupé & Convertible: 2,468 mm (97.2 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,129–4,164 mm (162.6–163.9 in) Sedan: 4,436–4,400 mm (174.6–173.2 in) Wagon: 4,437 mm (174.7 in) Coupé: 3,931–3,967 mm (154.8–156.2 in) Convertible: 4,081 mm (160.7 in)
Width	1,698–1,699 mm (66.9–66.9 in)
Height	1,365–1,420 mm (53.7–55.9 in)

Pre-facelift Renault Mégane rear

The Mégane I was unveiled in September 1995, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, as a replacement for the Renault 19. The car was essentially a reskin of its predecessor, and carried over the 19's floorpan, engines, transmissions and chassis design, albeit with much modification. Taking its name from a Renault concept car shown in 1988, the Mégane further developed the new corporate styling theme introduced by Patrick Le Quément on the Laguna, most notably the "bird-beak" front grille – a styling cue borrowed from the Renault 16 of the 1960s. As with the 19 and the 11 before it, the Mégane was produced at Renault's Douai plant in northern France, and at the Spanish plant of Palencia.

Safety was a key focus of the Megane I, Renault's first car reflecting their new focus of selling on safety. It featured a pillar-mounted 3-point seatbelt for the middle-rear occupant (replacing the common 'lap strap'), standard front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, driver's airbag and an impressive safety structure – a specification ahead of most rivals in 1995. Some features, such as the 3-point middle belt, had debuted on the Renault 19 safety concept vehicle (and in fact this feature entered production on the Renault Laguna before the Megane). The car also benefited from Renault's first "System for Restraint and Protection" (SRP), essentially a system of careful optimisation of occupant restraint by interaction of the seat, seatbelt, pretensioner, load limiter and airbag. The Megane I achieved a best-in-class 4-star crash test rating in the 1998 round of testing by Euro NCAP.

1996 saw the introduction of the Mégane Scénic compact MPV.

Power came from the Renault E-type ("Energy") engine in 1.4 L and 1.6 L, and the F-type unit in both 1.9 L diesel and 2.0 L petrol forms, although this time around there was a wider variety of 16-valve derivatives. A 1.9 L diesel engine in both normally aspirated and turbocharged forms was also available.

Renault also produced a limited number of Renault sport edition phase 1's with the Renaultsport bodywork; however, these were very rare. The Renaultsport kit was available to purchase for a short time direct from Renault France, but has now been discontinued, thus their value has increased.

The estate version of the original Mégane was only available in LHD form, with no RHD variants being built.

Facelift

A mild facelift in the spring of 1999 gave the Mégane I a modified grille, more advanced safety features and upgraded equipment, and 16-valve engines were used across the range. An Estate body style was also launched in mainland Europe with the facelift. The production continued for the Latin America Market, where it was sold alongside the Megane II line at a considerably lower price until 2009.

• 

  2002 Renault Mégane Convertible

• 

  Post-facelift Renault Mégane Coupé

• 

  Post-facelift Renault Mégane

South America

In countries such as Venezuela and Colombia, the Mégane I was available until 2010 sold as a Sedan. It features the LA04 engine (16 valve, 1.6 litres and 110 HP), and was produced by both Renault Colombia and Renault Argentina, in where it was one of the best-selling cars to date. It is a car with more advanced safety features, upgraded equipment and more. The Mégane I had a lower price than the Mégane II. In Colombia, it was only available in one version: Unique, with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic one. It was equipped with ABS, frontal airbags, foglights, leather seats, electric mirrors and electric windows. In Argentina, not all versions included features such as electric windows, electric mirrors or airbags.

Engines

Maxi Mégane

Renault Maxi Mégane
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault Sport
Assembly	France
Body and chassis
Class	F2 Kit Car
Body style	3-door coupé
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Renault Mégane I
Related	Renault Megane I
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L F7R710 I4
Transmission	7-speed sequential manual
Dimensions
Length	3,952 mm (155.6 in)
Width	1,823 mm (71.8 in)
Height	1,360 mm (53.5 in)
Curb weight	960 kg (2,116 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault Clio Williams Maxi

During the 1990s, Renault Sport developed a rally car for the Formula 2 Kit Car regulations. This was the Clio Williams Maxi, which was the first car truly developed for the F2 Kit Car category, and first appeared in 1996. However, rivals such as Citroën and Peugeot soon introduced bigger and more powerful cars, which resulted in Renault producing a F2 version of the Mégane in 1996. The Maxi Megane officially represented the brand in French Championship rallies in 1996 and 1997 with drivers like Philippe Bugalski, Jean Ragnotti or Serge Jordan. After the works programme was discontinued, many privateers continued to use the car. It was also used in the FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup, which Renault won in 1999.^[2] The car used a special version of the Renault F7R engine, and had a seven-speed Sequential manual transmission. Its most notable result was an outright victory in the 1996 Tour de Corse in the hands of Philippe Bugalski and his co-driver Jean-Paul Chiaroni (in a year where the Tour de Corse was a FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup-only event);^[3] but it also helped Renault to the FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup of Manufacturer's title in 1999.^[4] In lower-level competitions, Renault took back-to-back manufacturer's and driver's titles in the British Rally Championship in 1998 and 1999,^[5][6] whilst they also took the European Rally Championship in 1999.^[7]

A privately-entered Maxi Mégane at the 2006 Rallye des Côtes de Garonne, driven by Pierre Mainvielle.

Mégane II (2002–2009)

Mégane II
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault Yulon Pars Khodro
Production	2002–2009 2003–2008 (Taiwan) 2006–2010 (Brazil Sedan) 2006–2012 (Brazil estate) 2009-2013 (Iran)
Assembly	Bursa, Turkey (Oyak-Renault) Tehran, Iran (Pars Khodro) Douai, France Palencia, Spain (Renault Spain) Curitiba, Brazil (Renault do Brasil) Miaoli, Taiwan (Yulon) Jakarta, Indonesia (Auto Euro)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 2-door convertible
Platform	Nissan C platform
Related	Nissan X-Trail Mégane Renault Sport Renault Scénic Nissan Sentra Nissan Rogue Nissan Qashqai Renault Koleos Nissan Lafesta
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L K4J I4 1.6 L K4M I4 2.0 L F4R I4 2.0 L F4RT I4 1.5 L K9K dCi I4 1.9 L F9Q dCi I4 2.0 L M9R dCi I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Hatchback: 2,625 mm (103.3 in) Sedan & Wagon: 2,686 mm (105.7 in) Convertible: 2,522 mm (99.3 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,209 mm (165.7 in) Sedan & Wagon: 4,498 mm (177.1 in) Convertible: 4,355 mm (171.5 in)
Width	1,777 mm (70.0 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,460 mm (57.5 in) Wagon: 1,505 mm (59.3 in) Convertible: 1,514 mm (59.6 in)

Renault Mégane

Renault Mégane CC

The Mégane II was launched in September 2002,^[8] and marked a completely new fresh start. The two cars bear very little resemblance, the new vehicle having been inspired by the manufacturer's new design language first seen in the Avantime. The new Mégane was voted European Car of the Year for 2003,^[9] fighting off stiff competition from Japan's Mazda 6 and PSA's Citroën C3, and achieved a 5-star safety rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests,^[10] the first small family car to do so.

The Mégane II and the Laguna were both showcases for a great deal of innovative technologies Renault launched at the beginning of the 2000s; the Renault Card keyless ignition system, standard on the Mégane II, was a first in this class and has since been widely adopted. Similarly, the option of a panoramic glass sunroof is another area in which Renault led where others followed.

In Brazil, Renault launched a flex-fuel version, called "Hi-Flex", which is able to run either with unleaded gasoline (petrol) or ethanol. Like the Brazilian Scénic and Clio versions, the Mégane's engine can work with any mix of gasoline and ethanol, due to the use of an electronic control module. The flex version has a 16V 109 hp (110 PS) (113 hp (115 PS) with ethanol) 1.6-litre inline-four engine developed and produced in Brazil, but the 2.0-litre version does not allow ethanol use, because its engine is made in France.

As with the previous Mégane, the range of models is wide; there is a three and five door hatchback available, named "Sport Hatch" and "Hatch" respectively, there is a 4-door saloon/sedan (Sport Saloon), a five-door estate (Sport Tourer / Grandtour), and to replace both the Mégane Coupe and Convertible, a new retractable hardtop coupe designed by Karmann.

Mégane RS

The RenaultSport (RS) versions of the 3-door and 5-door Megane hatchbacks were introduced, equipped with a turbocharged petrol 2.0 L 16v engine producing 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp). Along with the engine, changes were made to the front and rear suspension geometry to improve handling, and the model features a deeper, wider front bumper. The Mégane Renault Sport competes in the hot hatch segment of the market.

Facelift

The model was revised in 2006, with changes in interior trim, specification levels and most notably, a new front nose. A new front suspension system borrowed from the Mégane 2.0 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) was adopted, improving the driving performance.^[11] Also, the Nissan Sentra B16 is based on the 2006 platform of the Renault Megane.

• 

  Renault Mégane saloon

Engines

Reception

During its first full year of sales, the Mégane II topped the French sales charts, with 198,874 registered in 2003.^[12] It has also sold very well in Britain, being the nation's fourth most popular car in 2005 and the nation's fifth most popular car in 2004 and 2006. In 2007, however, it dipped to eighth place with just over 55,000 examples being sold.^[13]

In 2010 it was reported that the Megane II had the highest rate of MOT failures in the UK for cars first taking the test in 2007.^[14] While in German ADAC breakdown statistics, the Megane scored very well, surpassing such cars as the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Opel/Vauxhall Astra. The 2008 model achieved third place in its class after the BMW 1 and Audi A3.^[15]

Mégane III (2008–2016)

Mégane III
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	2008–2016
Assembly	Bursa, Turkey (Oyak-Renault) Douai, France (Megane CC) Palencia, Spain (Renault Spain) Moscow, Russia (Avtoframos)
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	5-door hatchback 3-door coupé 2-door coupé cabriolet 5-door estate
Layout	Front engine, Transverse engine, Front-wheel drive
Platform	Renault/Nissan C platform
Related	Mégane Renault Sport Renault Fluence Renault Samsung SM3 Renault Scénic Nissan Sentra Nissan Rogue Nissan Qashqai Renault Koleos Nissan Lafesta Nissan X-Trail
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L D4FT I4 1.4 L H4J I4 1.6 L K4M I4 2.0 L M4R I4 2.0 L F4RT I4 1.5 L K9K dCi I4 1.6 L R9M dCi I4 1.9 L F9Q dCi I4 2.0 L M9R dCi I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual CVT 6-speed EDC (only dCi 110 FAP)[16]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Hatchback: 2,641 mm (104.0 in) Coupe: 2,640 mm (103.9 in) Estate: 2,703 mm (106.4 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,295 mm (169.1 in) Coupe: 4,299 mm (169.3 in) Estate: 4,559 mm (179.5 in)
Width	Hatchback: 1,808 mm (71.2 in) Coupe & Estate: 1,804 mm (71.0 in)
Height	Hatchback: 1,471 mm (57.9 in) Coupe: 1,423 mm (56.0 in) Estate: 1,507 mm (59.3 in)

Renault Mégane Sports Tourer

Rear view

The third generation was launched in late 2008, to keep the range competitive. In October 2008, both the 5-door hatchback and Mégane Coupé were officially put on sale.^[17] The two models have different designs; the Coupé having a sporty design while the 5-door model is more conservative. No automatic transmission is offered, with it being replaced by a continuously variable transmission.

In 2009, a 5-door estate version was introduced, and was named the Sport Tourer.^[18] Another addition to the range came in the form of the Coupé Cabriolet in 2010.^[19] That year also saw the addition of a 1.4 L turbocharged engine being added to the range.^[20]

Production of the Mégane's saloon derivative, the Fluence, commenced in Argentina in 2011, at the firm's Córdoba plant.^[21] The Mégane III was also made available for sale in Argentina that year, but was produced in Turkey, and imported into the country.^[21] In Brazil, the Fluence replaced the Megane in Renault's lineup from 2011 onwards.^[22]

In 2012, the Mégane III underwent its first facelift, which also introduced three new engines; a 1.2 L turbocharged petrol engine, a new 110 hp (112 PS; 82 kW) version of the 1.5 L dCi engine, and a new 1.6 L dCi engine.^[23] Another facelift followed for 2014,^[24] with a more powerful 128 hp (130 PS; 95 kW) version of the 1.2 L turbocharged engine going on sale, whilst the styling of the hatchback, coupé and estate versions was updated to match Renault's new model range.^[25] Later that year, a 220 hp (223 PS; 164 kW) version of the 2.0 L turbocharged petrol engine was added to the range.^[26]

Engines

Mégane IV (2016–)

Mégane IV
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	2016–
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, Transverse engine, Front-wheel drive
Platform	Renault–Nissan Common Module Family CMF-CD
Related	Nissan Pulsar

The Mégane IV is expected to launch at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales starting in 2016. It will use the CMF-CD platform, which has underpinned the Nissan Pulsar. The Mégane IV will follow the latest design language, which has been seen on the Clio IV, Captur and Espace V. This means it will have very few things in common, with the outgoing model.^[27][28] The next model expected from Renault Sport is the new Megane R.S., which is likely to sport a smaller engine with a dual-clutch transmission.

All-electric version

The electric version of the Mégane saloon that Renault is building will come with a lifetime warranty, and payment will follow the model established by the mobile-phone industry. After buying the car, owners will subscribe to a battery-replacement and charging plan based on their anticipated mileage. Recharging was to be done at one of 500,000 spots that Project Better Place was to build and maintain, however, a new alternative will need to be sought due to the filing of bankruptcy on 26 May 2013 by Project Better Place.^[29]

See also

• Renault Mégane Renault Sport
• Renault Fluence
• Renault Scénic

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Renault Mégane.

• Official UK Renault Site – Megane
• Renaultsport Mégane 225