Top to Toe Revamp for the 2016 Renault Mégane
2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Renault Mégane. For a seven year old car, the third generation of this firmly establish family hatchback has grown old rather gracefully. By time waits for neither man nor machine and, as the Mégane enters its third decade, it’s receiving a top-to-toe revamp in the form of the all-new, fourth generation model revealed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The 2016 vintage will adopt the same design language that characterises the Captur crossover and the latest generation Clio, albeit with several unique new touches. Compared with its predecessor, the all-new Mégane is longer and lower to the ground and dispenses with the old model’s skinny front grille. Instead, the front fascia is dominated by a broader grille design which perches between a pair of highly distinctive C-shaped LED headlamps that wend their way down as far as the front bumper.
Chrome trim frames the Mégane’s side windows, badges and door handles whilst twin air scoops at the front, deflectors at the rear and automatically-closing aero flaps all do their bit to cut drag.
The rear LED headlamps also offer a novel styling interpretation, extending across the length of the tailgate to accentuate the new Mégane’s width.
The interior of the 2016 Mégane will feature a number of segment-exclusive high-tech features including a full colour head-up display, a 7-inch colour instrument display and a portrait-orientated 8.7-inch touchscreen infotainment interface. There are five upholstery grades to choose form, with high-end models also boasting heated seats and even a massaging driver’s seat. BOSE audio systems are fitted as standard and the Mégane also boasts the second largest boot of any compact hatchback on the market.
From the launch, customers can choose from six powertrains; three diesel and three petrol. The most powerful of the dCi diesels delivers 130bhp, with its TCe petrol counterpart contributing 205 horses.
Six-speed automatic transmission will be offered with the dCi 110 whilst the TCe 130 gets a seven-speed gearbox.
The jewel in the crown of the new Mégane range will be the Renaultsport-inspired GT variant. On top of standard-issue equipment, the 2016 Mégane GT will get unique styling tweaks both inside and out and be powered by the 205bhp petrol unit which is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The GT edition also benefits from segment-first four-wheel steering with bespoke chassis settings.
A ‘Hybrid Assist’ diesel will join the line-up in early 2017 which utilises energy recovery through deceleration and breaking to up the MPG.
The latest generation Renault Mégane hits UK showrooms in summer 2016.
