Renault Megane 2012 range pricing and specification
Only a matter of weeks after confirming pricing and specification for its New Twingo, Scénic 2012 and Fluence Z.E. ranges, Renault has now announced pricing for its latest updated range - Mégane 2012 (Coupé, Hatch and Sport Tourer). Prices for the newly facelifted versions of one of Europe’s most successful cars, which is already available to order ahead of 1st April UK official launch, start from £16,275 on-the-road.
More modern styling and improved equipment
For 2012, Mégane has undergone a number of small styling changes to freshen up the model’s original lines. The front end has a more modern feel, while LED daytime running lights (Dynamique TomTom and above) provide a distinctive new lighting signature. The bumper features a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, and the selection of wheels has been entirely revised. The sum of these modifications mirrors the attention that has been paid to quality, an area which Renault sees as a priority.
In terms of line-up, from April, a new entry-level Expression+ welcomes the inclusion of Bluetooth™, USB connection and upgraded audio system to 4 x 20W radio CD with fingertip remote control and AUX input, on top of an already high equipment level: 16” alloys, air conditioning and front fog lights.
The top-of-the-range GT-Line TomTom also sees several new additions: auto parking brake with Hill Start Assist, parking camera with rear parking sensors, Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W audio system – worth £760, but an on-the-road price only £270 greater than the previous range (dCi 160).
Meanwhile, the cabin comes with new interior trims, including a leather pack available in a choice of two finishes in the UK. The personality of the specific GT-Line TomTom finishes has also been enhanced inside and out thanks to specific ‘boomerang’-shaped LED lights, visible red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, plus Renault Sport-badged door sill guards and dashboard trim strip, serving as a reminder that it belongs to the Renaultsport family. Last but not least, the list of body colours available for Mégane 2012 has been extended with the addition of Azzurro Blue and Arctic White.
To make Mégane 2012 even more appealing, all three models are eligible for the Renault 4+ programme, which launched on 1st February 2012. The tempting package offers all retail customers a comprehensive four-year/100,000 mile warranty, free routine servicing for four years/48,000 miles, four years roadside cover and up to four years finance (lease or PCP, subject to status).
Three new Renault engines, all featuring Stop & Start technology, which are already available in the Scénic 2012 range will now take on the equally competitive C-segment. These are the 1.2 TCe 115 petrol, 1.5 dCi 110 and the 1.6 dCi 130, all boasting impressive performance, economy and emission figures.
The 1.2 TCe 115 offers a diesel-rivalling 53.3 mpg (combined cycle) - a theoretical 700 miles on a single tank allied to 119g/km CO2. The 1.5 dCi 110 gives class-leading 80.7 mpg and emits only 90 g/km CO2. Lastly, the 1.6 dCi 130, at the world’s most powerful and frugal diesel engine of its size, also takes its bow in Mégane, with 70.6 mpg and 104g/km CO2 emissions. As a result of their arrival, the 1.4 TCe 130 and 2.0 TCe 180 engines are no longer available to order.
Mégane 2012: ‘Stop and Start’ downsized engine power
Mégane 2012 is the first Renault model to be available with the three new Stop & Start engines which combine both driving pleasure and fuel efficiency. They are the fruit of new-generation downsizing and call on Renault’s experience in F1 to form unprecedented technology packages for this level of range, including Stop & Start complete with deceleration/braking energy recovery. Thanks to their carefully-tuned acoustics, these engines produce a discreet, cushioned sound, with noise levels halved compared with the engines they replace.
Renault TCe 115 Stop & Start – the resurgence in petrol engines continues: the TCe 115 is the first Renault petrol engine to feature direct fuel injection and turbocharging for fuel-efficient performance. This new 1,198cc block is poised to replace the 1.6 16V and boasts both extra power (up 5hp to 115hp) and peak torque up 40Nm to 190Nm, with 90 per cent of this figure available from 1,650rpm. Its flexibility and acceleration from low revs are consequently similar to those of a diesel engine. In addition to being the market’s best-performing 1.2-litre petrol powerplant, its fuel consumption is improved 25 per cent compared to its forebear. Versions of Mégane 2012 powered by this engine consume just 53.3 mpg (combined cycle), a record for a petrol car in this class. CO2 emissions are down to 119g/km, while the car’s range is in the region of 700 miles, which is similar to the distances associated with diesel models.
Mégane 2012 will also be available with the two best diesel engines in their class, both of which combine driving pleasure with the market’s lowest fuel consumption.
The range’s best-selling 1.5 dCi engine has undergone a significant metamorphosis in revised 110hp guise, with the introduction of Stop & Start technology first introduced in 2011 on the 1.6 dCi 130. The net gain is record low fuel consumption, which has been improved by 15 per cent to 80.7 mpg – best-in-class. This offers a theoretical range of 1060 miles on a tank full. The CO2 emissions are just 90g/km, the lowest of any C-segment diesel on sale today. There has been no loss in performance, however, since peak torque is up 20Nm to 260Nm, which is available from as low as 1,750rpm.
Renault dCi 130 Stop & Start: this 1.6-litre diesel engine delivers 130 horsepower and 320Nm of torque, making it the market’s most powerful powerplant for its size. It is also a pleasure to drive thanks to crisp acceleration performance from as low as 1,750rpm. Under the bonnet of Mégane, it returns combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 70.6 mpg, which is a 20 per cent saving compared to the former 1.9 dCi 130 engine. CO2 emissions stand at 104g/km.
The new downsized engines offer greater performance and fuel efficiency through smaller cubic capacity engine innovation and technologies derived from Formula 1 (Stop & Start, brake energy regeneration).
Useful, affordable technologies
Following Scénic and Grand Scénic, the three facelifted Mégane 2012 models become the latest Renaults to feature the Visio System by Renault – the French brand’s latest innovation - which assists the driver’s vigilance and night-time vision thanks to two key functions, a lane departure warning system and automatic high/low beam headlights.
The Visio System camera improves night-time vision by permanently scanning the road ahead. Whenever natural or street lighting is poor, and when no other vehicles are detected, it automatically switches to full-beam headlights at speeds of more than 28 mph. Remembering to switch back to dipped beam is no longer a constraint and the Visio System permits the driver to benefit from full-beam headlights between four and five times longer than is the case without the system. Visibility is enhanced (100 metres instead of 30 metres) and as a result, there is less risk of colliding with an obstacle.
Lane departure warning has also been added to Mégane 2012.If lane markings are crossed without the indicators having been being activated (above 44 mph), visible and audible warnings are automatically activated. It works by the camera fitted to the windscreen below the rear view mirror, sensing if the vehicle has involuntarily changed lanes, most likely due to drowsiness or a drop in driver vigilance, and a major cause of accidents, especially on motorways.
Elsewhere, Mégane 2012 continues to pack the technologies that have contributed to the model’s success. All radios are now equipped with Bluetooth hands-free telephony, connectivity and audio-streaming, as well as multi-functional TunePoint and USB input which enable music stored on mobile devices to be controlled by the vehicle’s steering wheel-mounted fingertip control. Also available is Carminat TomTom Live navigation (HD Traffic, real-time traffic information, etc.) on Expression+.
Driving and travelling comfort have been further enhanced by the addition of new features which come as standard equipment. Hill Start Assist prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when pulling away on a slope, while lane change indicators warn other motorists when the driver is about to change lanes by flashing three times following a simple flick of the indicator stalk.
To assist parking manoeuvres, a rear parking cameraprovides a precise image of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings and depicts its trajectory to help drivers adjust their line. Last but not least, the dual-zone automatic climate control is now equipped with a quality sensor which monitors cabin air quality and automatically activates the air-recycling mode whenever necessary.
