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NEWS
PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Renault Megane wagon coming to Oz
Importer to expand small-car range with a load lugger in 2013Renault will launch a wagon version of the Megane hatch here in mid 2013, as part of its rebuilding process in the Australian market, where it will go head-to-head with the wagon in the Volkswagen Golf range.
Renault is refreshing its small and light-car products in the local market with the Megane wagon joining the company's Aussie portfolio, set to be complemented also by the all-new Renault Clio in mid 2013.
Specifications and details for the local-spec Megane wagon are scarce but Renault Australia's Managing Director, Justin Hocevar, told motoring.com.au the wagon will be available with petrol and diesel engines, and will be "very well specified" and priced in the high $20k bracket.
"We will launch both a diesel and petrol variant of the Megane wagon from launch, and as with our philosophy of creating great value for our customers the vehicles will be very well specified and have a five year unlimited kilometre warranty," said Mr Hocevar, who added it's the only European car maker in Australia to offer a five year warranty.
"It's a little early to confirm exact pricing but the recommended retail price will be in the high $20,000 price range and will make it one of the best value wagons in the market."
The Renault Megane, the importer's most popular model in Australia, accounts for a quarter of all Renault's sales, and the wagon is expected to account for around one in three Meganes sold when it arrives. Megane wagon's main rival will be the Volkswagen Golf wagon, which is priced from $26,990 for the 1.4-litre 90TSI Trendline model. The only other contender in the small wagon segment is Holden's impending Cruze wagon, but it's expected to be priced somewhat lower than its European competitors.
Renault Australia's MD implied the new wagon will also appeal to fleet buyers who may have lamented the loss of the Hyundai i30 wagon, saying "we benchmarked a certain Korean wagon that is no longer available in the Australian market, and when we looked at it spec adjusted we will be keenly competitive in this space."
Mr Hocevar also hinted that a Renault Megane wagon over $30,000 would be offered at a later date, but wouldn't be drawn on its alterations. Let the RS wagon speculation begin.
On the back of increased market share in Australia, up 35 per cent year to date, the French car maker is not relying purely on new products to increase sales, confirming it would extend its 0 per cent finance and capped serving plans until December 16.
After trialling capped price servicing in August and September, Renault will extend this scheme until December 16 as well, but it is not available on RS (Renault Sport) models. The RS models also get a three-year warranty, not a five-year plan. The scheme is only available on Megane hatch, Fluence sedan, the Koleos SUV and Latitude models and fixes the price at $299 per service for three years. All models require one service per year as a requirement of the contract.
With the arrival of the new Megane wagon from mid 2013, followed by the Clio, and with capped pricing servicing rumoured to be applied full time later in 2013, Renault Australia is confident of attracting more car buyers into the fold.
"We're looking forward to a really strong year for Renault in Australia," reasoned Mr Hocevar.
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Written byFeann Torr
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