Price rises for new Renault Megane

While we are used to seeing price cuts for run-out models, Renault Australia will instead raise the price of its current Megane on January 1 as it paves the way for the arrival of the new fourth-generation small car in September/October 2016.

The price of the new Megane is still expected to go up when it is launched, but this move is designed to soften that blow created by worsening exchange rates.

Traditionally Renault’s biggest seller but only a small player in comparison to the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 and Euro-darling Volkswagen Golf, the new Megane will initially only arrive as a five-door hatch. The three-door third-generation Megane RS 'coupe' will continue to be built next year, while a new generation wagon arrives in Australia in 2017.

A sedan has also been confirmed for production and should make it to Australia in 2017, while the convertible will be discontinued as will the three-door once the current RS is replaced.

Watch this space for our first drive impression of the new Renault Megane GT five-door hatch from the global launch in Portugal.

The Megane is one of two vitally important passenger vehicle launches for Renault in Australia next year, with the larger second-generation version of the Koleos is also understood to be arriving in the second half of 2016.

The run-out Koleos is also expected to be the subject of the New Year price rise.

“Come January 1 there will be some price increases on the existing run-out models,” Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar confirmed to motoring.com.au on the eve of the Megane global launch.

“It won’t be huge, but as of January 1 our prices are going up across the board to various levels, depending on how much impact FX (foreign exchange) has had since we’ve entered contracts on those vehicles.

“It’s fair to say we will have an average price increase of a couple of per cent across the board.”

Hocevar said the January 1 price increase would bring the pricing of the new and old Megane “much closer together”.

“If there is any further uplift we are not talking sheep stations. It’s going to be minor,” he said.

Megane hatch pricing currently stretches from $20,990 to $39,990.

Whether the new generation matches up model-for-model is yet to be announced. However, you can expect at last three models grades at launch, with a yet-to be confirmed base model (currently Authentique) and at least the dress-up GT-Line and the harder core GT above it.

Based on the latest Renault-Nissan CMF (Common Module Family) architecture, which also underpins the Nissan X-TRAIL and QASHQAI and Renault Espace, Talisman and Kadjar (none of which are slated for Australia), the Megane is an orthodox front-wheel drive small car with a MacPherson strut front-end and torsion beam rear axle. Suspension in all models is passive, but the GT gets a sports tune and larger brakes.

The stand-out technical feature is the GT’s 4Control four-wheel steering system that is a development of the system that debuted on the now defunct Renault Laguna in 2008.

Using an electronically controlled actuator acting on the rear axle, it turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speeds to aid manoeuvrability and in the same direction at higher speeds to aid cornering stability.

A family of driver assist technologies also cascade down from Espace and Talisman to the Megane including adaptive cruise control, active emergency brake, lane departure warning, safe distance warning, blind spot warning, reversing camera, auto high-low beam, front, rear and side parking sensors and parking assist.

Speed sign recognition and a head-up display won’t be making it to Australia, the latter because of the expense of configuring a new dash for right-hand drive markets.

A centrepiece of higher specification models is the R-Link 2 8.7-inch touch-screen, which is laid out in portrait format and has tap, zoom and pinch functionality like a mobile phone. A high degree of personalisation of the instrument panel and ambient lighting can be accessed via ‘Multi-Sense’, which can also dial drive modes through eco, comfort, neutral, sport and perso (individual) settings for the engine, gearbox and steering.

The new Megane hatch is longer, wider, lower and slightly lighter than its predecessor. It claims to have increased rear-seat space. Luggage space is a sizeable 434 litres, expanding to 1247 litres with the rear seat split-folded.

There will be three engines offered in the launch range; the carry-over 97kW/205Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder available with either six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; an 81kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel that is also carry-over, but swaps its previous manual for a six-speed DCT; and the GT’s 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol combined with a seven-speed DCT.

The 1.2/DCT combination is expected to be the most popular drivetrain.

Euro combined fuel consumption numbers are 5.3L/100km for both 1.2 variants, 6.0L/100km for the GT’s 1.6 and 3.7L/100km for the diesel.

A diesel-electric hybrid is being launched in 2017 and is of interest to Australia depending on spec.

Renault has made a massive effort to lift perceived quality of the Megane’s previously uninspired interior with the use of better trims and presentation. All new seats share their structure and dual-density foam with the Espace and Talisman.