Revised Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet range and Dynamique S special edition

The nights have drawn in and there is a distinct chill in the air, but at least Renault can add a hint of summer to winter motoring this year with the launch of its revised 2007 Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet range. In fact, with no price increases, even more generous equipment levels on every model and a new Dynamique S special edition, Renault’s best-selling drop-top bursts into 2007 looking and feeling fresher than ever.

Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet – best-selling medium-sized coupé-convertible

With its electrically-folding panoramic glass roof, light and airy cabin, high safety levels and wide range of engines, including the quiet dCi engines, the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet continues to be the best-selling cabriolet in its class in the UK. For the year to the end of October, Mégane has outsold the Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 307 CC and VW Eos, selling double that of the Astra for example. This is no mean feat, particularly in the current climate, given the recent flood of new pretenders to its crown.

Overview - New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet range

To ensure an even wider margin of victory, Renault has now upgraded the standard equipment levels on every version of the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet to make the car even better value-for-money, as well as adding a new Dynamique S special edition to tempt even more retail buyers. Prices remain unchanged.

The new range is spread across four trim levels: Extreme, Dynamique, Dynamique S and Privilège with prices ranging from £17,810 to £22,510. The Mégane range has only recently been facelifted, so the improvements to the new 2007 Coupé-Cabriolet range focus solely on upgrading its equipment levels.

The entry-level Extreme now gains air conditioning, single CD and leather steering wheel, options previously worth £800, while the best-selling Dynamique benefits from climate control, 17” alloys and cruise control with speed limiter, worth £925. Lastly, the top-of-the-range Privilège sees even more luxury and safety with the addition of standard ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with ASR traction control and CSV understeer control (previously standard on 2.0 dCi 150 models only) and full beige leather interior worth an extra £900.

Due to the added equipment and luxury, the Handling Pack on Privilège and Luxury Pack on Dynamique and Privilège will cease to be available.

The engine line-up includes three petrol engines ranging in power from 111hp to 165hp and three diesel engines from 106hp to 150hp. The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is also still one of the few cars in its class to be offered with automatic transmission. The range currently takes over a third of automatic sales in its sector, so the new range will seek to build on this considerable sales success through its choice of two petrol - 1.6 VVT 111 and 2.0 VVT 136, and for the first time this year one diesel engine – 1.9 dCi 130, allied to the self-shifter.

New Dynamique S – A winner for luxury, style and value-for-money

In addition to the specification enhancements to the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet range, a new Dynamique S special edition also debuts, slotting between the current Dynamique and top-of-the-range Privilège trim levels.

On sale from early January, the new version costs only £270 more than the equivalent Dynamique versions, but offers a higher specification including full dark carbon leather upholstery worth £900 and integral metallic paint worth £100. Giving the car’s already svelte lines a hint of sportiness, the new special edition benefits from the same 17” ‘Jarsalle’ alloy wheels as recently appeared on the new GT hatch models. Adding a subtle, elegant touch to the exterior, the new Dynamique S versions also feature chrome roof arches to accentuate the car’s roofline, plus dark grey headlamp surrounds to distinguish the model still further.

The car’s excellent value-for-money is immediately apparent when compared to one of the most recent entrants to the sector, the VW Eos. In 1.6-litre petrol guise for example, the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Dynamique S, costing £18,310 works out exactly £3,500 cheaper than its rival after optional 17” alloys, cruise control and leather upholstery are added to the VW.

The new Dynamique S is expected to take a significant proportion of Coupé-Cabriolet sales when it appears in January, as customers of Coupé-Cabriolets purchase more of the range-topping versions than say hatch or saloon car buyers. It will be available in a choice of four colours, one non-metallic - Pacific Blue - and three metallic - Pearl Black, Quartz and Tempest - the latter being exclusive to this model.

Ordering for the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet range is open now.