NEW RENAULT MEGANE ESTATE III: PRACTICAL, AND A REAL PLEASURE TO DRIVE
New Renault Megane Estate is the fifth model in the New Megane family to be launched after the Hatchback, Coupe, Grand Scenic and Scenic versions. New Renault Megane Estate not only features elegant, dynamic styling but is also extremely practical, with plenty of carrying capacity.
ELEGANT, DYNAMIC STYLING
The launch of New Renault Megane Estate rounds off the Megane family. Its new, dynamic, distinctive looks are the result of the far-reaching look at styling which was taken at the very beginning of the program. New Megane Estate's sporty lines contrast with the conventional 'utility vehicle' approach which has all too often been applied to the majority of estate cars in this segment. It makes no concessions, however, regarding either its load-carrying ability or modularity which continue to be key considerations for purchasers of this type of vehicle.
New Megane Estate's longer wheelbase compared with that of New Megane Hatchback (+62mm) ensures a pleasing, balanced styling package which is reinforced by its fluid, uncluttered, dynamic character line which runs along the flanks to the rear lights. The combination of the roofline, low-profile windows and rake of the rear screen suggest forward movement and exude an unmistakable sense of elegance. The chrome longitudinal roof bars add a further touch of character. The elegance of the side-view carries over to the design of rear end. The Renault logo is highlighted by an indentation at the base of the rear screen, while the curved forms of the two-part rear lights (with one part on the tailgate) ensure an extremely distinctive rear-end signature. New Megane Estate's bold wheel arches and generous, rounded forms express a prevailing impression of power and robustness.
ELEGANT, DYNAMIC STYLING WITH GENEROUS DIMENSIONS ENSURE A HIGH STANDARD OF COMFORT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS
An extended wheelbase (2,702mm, an increase of 62mm over New Megane Hatchback) provides additional rear knee room of 218mm (+61mm compared with New Megane Hatchback), which puts New Megane Estate among the best in its segment.
Front elbow room (1475mm) ranks among the segment's best.
GENEROUS DIMENSIONS ENSURE A HIGH STANDARD OF COMFORT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS
New Renault Megane Estate is 4.56 meters long and comfortably accommodates up to fiveadults with luggage. The driver and front passenger benefit from headroom of 890mm (with seat angle at 14 degrees) and elbowroom of 1,475mm, figures which count among the best in the compact estate segment. Careful attention has been paid to ensure that the driving environment is as driver-friendly as possible. Drivers of all builds will have no trouble finding the ideal seating position thanks to the numerous adjustment possibilities offered by the lumbar-adjustable, reclining driver's seat. The steering wheel is also height- and reach-adjustable (through 5.1 degrees and 45mm respectively), while the pedal spacing has been made more comfortable. The brake pedal is 30mm wider and the gap with the accelerator pedal has been extended by 10mm to enable the driver's foot to switch more confidently and more swiftly to the middle pedal when braking. Rear passengers benefit directly from the 62mm-increase in wheelbase compared with Megane Hatchback which provides 218mm of knee room (61mm more than Megane Hatchback), putting the newcomer among the best in its segment.
CARRYING CAPACITY AND MODULARITY ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF ALL CUSTOMERS
New Renault Megane Estate has one of the biggest boots of its segment. Its volume extends from 524dm3 (including 38dm3 underneath the floor) to almost 1,600dm3 as a function of the needs of the moment. The modular seat layout enables loads of up to 2,550mm in length to be carried. Compared with Megane II Estate, access to the boot has been improved thanks to a boot sill height of 561mm, which is among the lowest of the segment. In addition to being easier to access, New Megane Estate's large boot is practical, too, and can be divided into two compartments thanks to a semi-rigid wall which lifts and locks into place in an instant. This creates a handy compartment just inside the boot where small items can be carried. Underneath, two additional stowage spaces totaling five liters enable items such as the warning triangle and safety vest to be kept. A further 33dm3 of stowage space has been freed up underneath the boot floor in the space where the spare wheel would normally be found. Indeed,
Modular: the 60/40-split folding rear seat enables owners to increase carrying capacity in a single movement. A support is automatically deployed underneath the folded seat to provide a flat, slightly sloped surface across which it is possible to slide a package without being hindered by the folded rear seatback,
The forward-folding front seatback combines with the above arrangement to permit loads of up to 2,550mm in length to be carried, the boot converts into an estate arrangement with a flat floor and a carrying capacity of 1,516dm3 by simply folding the cushion and seatback of the 60/40-split rear seat forward.
New Renault Megane Estate comes with a removable baggage cover which can be stored in a bespoke compartment behind the folded rear seatback when carrying bulky loads. Occupants benefit from 25 litres of stowage space around the cabin, including a nine-liter gearbox, a 5.6-litre cubby in the centre console stowage unit, front and rear door bins, under floor compartments at the front and map pockets on the backs of the front seats.
CARRYING CAPACITY AND MODULARITY ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF ALL CUSTOMERS
Generous boot space, extending from a minimum of 524dm3 (an increase of 119dm3 over New Megane Hatchback) to 1,600dm3 (+466dm3 compared with New Megane Hatchback). Maximum load length: 2,550mm. Specific stowage compartment for the baggage cover.
IMPECCABLE HANDLING
Precise, responsive handling thanks to a new 'horned' sub frame and an extensively revised electric power steering system.
A COMPREHENSIVE LINE-UP OF ENGINES WHICH COMBINE PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The New Megane Estate range includes a choice of a diesel engine which illustrate the ongoing optimization work carried out by Renault in a bid to offer customers the market's best balance between performance and running costs. Dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is due to join the range coupled to the dCi 110 DPF powerplant at the beginning of 2010.
Two petrol engines, including the new 1.4 TCe 130, as well as the 1.6 16V 110.
THE SAME FUNDAMENTAL STRENGTHS AS THE ENTIRE NEW MEGANE FAMILY: SAFETY, QUALITY AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Following in the footsteps of New Megane Hatchback, which achieved the maximum EuroNCAP crash test score of 37 points from 37 at the end of 2008, New Renault Megane Estate has benefited fully from the ongoing progress achieved by Renault not only in the field of safety, but also in quality and respect for the environment.
Eight versions of New Renault Megane Estate qualify for the Renault eco˛ signature (dCi 85, dCi 90 DPF, dCi 105, dCi 110 DPF, dCi 130, dCi 130 DPF, 1.6 110 Bioethanol).
Extensive work on minimizing weight, carefully-honed aerodynamics and a range of low fuel consumption or biofuel-compatible engines enable New Megane Estate to showcase Renault's expertise when it comes to protecting the environment.
The Renault eco2 signature is Renault's way of underlining the commitment it has made to reduce the ecological impact of its vehicles across their full lifecycle. To qualify, vehicles must comply with three criteria: 1) CO2 emissions less than 140g/km, or biofuel-compatibility, 2) production in an ISO 14001-certified plant, a testimony to a factory's determination to reduce its ecological footprint, 3) Cars must be 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable by weight, with at least five per cent of the plastics they contain to be sourced from recycling. In addition to being built at Renault's ISO 14001-certified plant in Palencia, Spain, New Renault Megane Estate is 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable by weight and 11 per cent of the plastics it contains – equivalent to an average 22kg – are sourced from recycling.
