Renault adds pricier Megane sedan and wagon

Renault Australia has added sedan and wagon versions of the new Megane hatch that was released here last September, leaving only the piping-hot Megane RS hot hatch to come later this year.

Priced from $27,490 plus on-road costs for the Megane Zen sedan with EDC automatic, the four-door is positioned lineball with its five-door hatch counterpart, while the Megane wagon is priced higher at $28,490 plus ORCs for the Zen EDC.

However, there is no entry-level ‘Life’ or manual version of either body style, as there is with the Megane hatch, which opens at a more competitive $22,490 plus ORCs.

Mirroring the hatch line-up from Zen level upwards though is the Megane wagon GT-Line and GT, which are also priced $1000 higher at $33,490 and $39,490, while the only other Megane sedan is the Intens at $31,990.

Both new Megane models are available with a host of bundled options, including metallic paint ($600) and, for the Zen, a Sunroof Pack ($1990, including an electric sunroof, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and sun visor with illuminated mirror) and Renault’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) safety suite ($700, comprising Advanced Emergency Braking Inter-urban, lane departure warning and automatic high/low-beam).

These features are on top of the Zen sedan and wagon’s standard safety equipment including six airbags, stability control, hill-start assist, electronic park brake, front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera, R-LINK 2 multimedia with satellite-navigation and a 7.0-inch touch-screen, Arkamys audio with eight speakers and automatic headlights and wipers.

The GT-Line wagon adds ADAS as standard, as well as Blind Spot Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Distance Warning, side parking sensors, 8.7-inch portrait touch-screen, customisable colour TFT instrument dispaly, Alcantara seat trim, MULTI-SENSE, 17-inch Decaro alloy wheels, GT-Line signature badging, rear privacy glass and an electric panoramic sunroof.

GT wagon variants add Launch Control, Multi Downshift, 4CONTROL all-wheel steering, Renault Sport-tuned suspension, black and blue Alcantara upholstery, gloss black honeycomb front grilles, Renault Sport GT front bumper and 18 inch Magny Cours alloys.

For a further $1490, both the GT and GT-Line wagons can be had with a Premium Pack including Bose audio, Pure Vision LED headlights, 18-inch Grand Tour alloys and, for GT buyers, the Sunroof Pack.

Similarly, the Intens sedan comes with ADAS as standard with the addition of Blind Spot Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Distance Warning, side parking sensors, 8.7-inch touch-screen, Easy Park Assist, MULTI-SENSE, 18-inch Grand Tour alloys, rear privacy glass, electric panoramic sunroof, dark charcoal cloth upholstery, front LED daytime running lights with 3D Edge effect and Pure Vision LED headlights.

Engines also carry over from the latest Megane hatch, with Zen and GT-Line models powered by a 97kW/205Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with seven-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automated transmission for the first time, while GT models score a 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four.

As with the Megane hatch, there’s no sign of another diesel-powered version of the French-built Megane wagon, although a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Megane Sport Tourer GT, as it’s known in Europe, is expected.

Effectively replacing the long-discontinued Renault Fluence and continuing to be built in Turkey, the Megane sedan comes with a massive 503-litre boot and is expected to be fitted with an all-electric powertrain to replace the Fluence ZE.

There’s no word yet on a replacement for the old Megane coupe-convertible.

“The all-new Renault Megane wagon and sedan enable us to broaden our offer in one of the largest and most competitive segments of the new car market,” said Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar.

“With the welcome return of the Megane wagon to the range, Renault now has an even more practical vehicle for families with an active lifestyle, or for business users who need significant carrying capacity as well as the comfort, safety and performance of a passenger car.

“The all-new Megane sedan is pitched right into the heart of the four-door compact market, offering above-average specification and a sharp price.”

At the same time, Renault Australia has also announced changes to its Megane hatch range, pricing of which remains unchanged, bringing it into line with the newly released Megane sedan and wagon models.

Like them, base Life and mid-range Zen versions of the hatch are now available with the $700 factory option of the brand’s ADAS safety suit including Advanced Emergency Braking (Inter-urban), Lane Departure Waring and automatic high/low beam.

GT-Line and GT variants receive ADAS as standard, with the addition of Distance Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), while GT-Line and GT variants will also receive an upgrade to the 8.7-inch portrait touch-screen that will be a standard feature for the R-LINK 2 multimedia system including MULTISENSE, which adjusts the vehicle’s dynamic responses and adds interior ambient lighting.

“When you combine this with our five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and our capped-price servicing program, the Renault Megane range stands head and shoulders above its closest competitors,” said Hocevar.

2017 Megane pricing (plus ORCs):
Life manual hatch — $22,490
Life EDC hatch — $24,990
Zen EDC hatch — $27,490
GT-Line EDC hatch — $32,490
GT EDC hatch — $38,490
Zen EDC sedan — $27,490
Intens EDC sedan — $31,990
Zen EDC wagon — $28,490
GT-Line EDC wagon — $33,490
GT EDC wagon — $39,490

Options:
Metallic paint — $600
Zen ADAS — $700
GT-Line wagon wheels — $990
Zen Sunroof Pack — $1990
GT/GT-Line Premium Pack wagon — $1490