Renault Megane dCi 2011 Review

Now with a turbodiesel option, Megane dCi hatch is priced sharply enough to sway all but the most obstinate anti-French sentiment

Renault Megane dCi Hatch
Local Launch?Yarra Valley, Victoria

What we liked?
>> Ride, handling compromise?
>> Quality fit and finish?
>> Fuel economy

Not so much?
>> Engine noise at idle
>> Fiddly audio controls
>> Tighter rear accommodation?

OVERVIEW?
>> Megane to the masses
The third-generation Renault Megane range has another member -- a frugal turbodiesel dual-clutch hatch. Sitting beneath the widely acclaimed Renault Sport 250 and stylish Coupe-Cabriolet and above the grocery-getter petrol models, the five-door oiler assists in exposing Megane to the masses.

With its combination of simple good looks and quality engineering, the diesel-powered hatch is offered with a strong but efficient 1.5-litre engine which Renault tells us is good for 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.

Model grades are otherwise familiar to those of Megane dCi’s petrol siblings, with entry-level Dynamique and up-spec Privilege variants available from the get-go.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

>> More Megane, despite the lipo’?
Penned by Patrick le Quement, new Megane is clearly more conformist than its big butt predecessor. The overall shape appears more resolved to the eye, even if some might deem its styling a little unadventurous.

The same is true inside where a simple yet organised dash array is topped by softer-touch plastics and bright-work highlights. The analogue/digital instrumentation combo is concise and easily read, while equipment levels are roughly on par with similarly spec’ed rivals.

That sees Megane dCi Dynamique offered with cloth trim, a single-CD tuner with auxiliary and USB connectivity, auto lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, fog lamps, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, as well as cruise control with speed limiter function. The up-spec Privilege adds leather upholstery, satellite navigation, premium Arkamys audio package, rear parking sensors and an electric tilt/slide glass sunroof.

Megane dCi Dynamique is priced at $27,490 (MRLP) and Megane dCi Privilege from $32,490 (MRLP). The top spec model is available optionally with bi-xenon headlamps ($1490) while both models see metallic paint attract an additional charge ($800). The sticker prices equate to a $2500 premium over the same petrol CVT variants.

Renault passenger vehicles, including Megane dCi variants, are backed by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty with 24/7 roadside assist. Service intervals for diesel models are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

MECHANICAL

>> Hybrid-like fuel economy?

The Megane dCi's turbocharged four-cylinder common rail diesel engine unit drives the front wheels via a dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. The engine is smaller than the norm at 1461cc (most hatches this size sport 2.0-litre turbodiesels Down Under) and is rated at a modest 81kW/240Nm. The pay-off for the small capacity is that it achieves a hybrid-like average fuel consumption figure of 4.5L/100km. CO2 emissions are just 117g/km (Euro5 compliant).

The six-speed dual-clutch transmission -- or Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC), in Renault speak -- swaps cogs in just 290 milliseconds, and, thanks to a dry clutch system, is able to minimise parasitic losses. Renault says this combination allows a 17 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to a conventional epicyclic automatic transmission. Non-RenaultSport petrol Meganes use CVT transmissions.

Megane dCi’s monocoque body is suspended by a MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear arrangement, with spring rates and shock absorbers uprated for the revised weight distribution of the heavier diesel engine.

Megane’s steering is an electrically-assisted rack and pinion arrangement offering a turning circle of 11.1 metres and 3.1 turns lock-to-lock. Braking duties fall to discs all round measuring 280mm x 260mm, front-to-rear.

Wheel choices extend to 16 x 6.5-inch alloys on Megane dCi Dynamique or 17 x 7.0-inch alloys on Megane dCi Privilege. Tyre offerings see Megane shod with Goodyear EfficientGrip or Bridgestone Turanza ER300 tyres measuring 205/60 and 205/55 respectively between variants. Both models offer a full-size steel spare wheel.

PACKAGING?
>> Minimalist maximus?
Format and amenity levels are unchanged from petrol Megane variants. It's efficient but pretty run of the mill -- there are, however, a few highlights to the car’s packaging worth noting.

Chief among these -- especially for hatch buyers chasing additional cargo space -- is a rear seat base that flips forward to allow the 60:40 split-fold backrests to recess (nearly) horizontal into the pan. This simple but nifty addition sees Megane dCi hatch offer over 1000 litres of luggage space all told, with 360 litres available when the seats are in place.

The Megane’s glovebox is a touch on the small side but all other oddment storage is on par with class competitors.

On the list of grievances, a fiddly floating audio control behind the steering wheel takes quite a bit of getting used to, and the remote control sat nav feels old hat. Ditto, the audio system’s head unit can be frustrating for newcomers with the navigation of numerous menu tiers unnecessarily complicated.

Megane’s left-hand drive derivations are also obvious in the console design where the handbrake, gearshift indicator and starter button position all favour the passenger side. The forward cupholder also blocks access to the auxiliary inputs.

Accommodation up front is sufficient, almost generous, and taller drivers should have no issues with adjustment from either the seat or tilt and reach adjustable steering column. The design of this larger frontal area may however have impacted on rear seat space where knee, leg and headroom border are somewhat cosy for taller adults.

SAFETY

>> Top-marks, Megane?
On the whole, Renault has one of the safest passenger fleets of any manufacturer, and Megane is at least to the benchmark set.

It scored five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests, child occupant protection ranking especially high with a four-star result.

Anti-submarine front airbags are among the newer technologies onboard; the supplementary restraint system designed to prevent front seat occupants sliding under their seatbelts in the event of a crash. Otherwise, all systems and restraints are familiar to most others in this class with a full array of electronic driver aids and six airbags offered as standard throughout the line up.

Headrests and three-point belts are fitted in all five seating positions with both top-tether and ISOFIX child seat preparation available.

COMPETITORS
>> Megane est moyenne? Sacre bleu!
It might be new here, but Megane is a three-year old car in its country of origin, albeit with an updated drivetrain. When weighed against some competitors, then, it’s easy to see how the car is now slightly behind the curve in some respects.

Sure it’s got a decent engine/transmission combo and dynamically it’s quite composed. It’s safe, and offers just about everything most people would ever ask from a diesel-powered grocery getter. But when you stack it against the likes of Golf, Focus and Mazda3, Megane wants for several items, including the option of an auto parking system, idle stop-start and voice control.

Advanced fuel saving technologies, such as those found in Mazda’s brand-new SKYACTIV engine and transmission range, could further push Megane from view when they arrive sometime in the not-too-distant future.

A good thing then Megane dCi is the cheapest turbodiesel/dual-clutch offering in the segment.

At this price, and when spec-adjusted, you could also conceive weighing Megane dCi against Holden Cruze Diesel, Hyundai i30 CRDi and, perhaps, the slightly larger Skoda Octavia TDI.

ON THE ROAD

>> Le diesel sportif?
Well, almost.?A low-slung driving position and sorted ride dynamics top the highlights reel on Renault’s turbodiesel Megane.

Cruising at highway speeds Megane dCi hatch steers accurately through snaking, well-sealed roads, even if the feedback offered isn’t quite as keen as that found on its hyperactive RenaultSport sibling. In saying that, the variable assistance rack is well suited to the car’s intended application.

For the most part Megane dCi’s suspension keeps wheel-to-road successfully, though it’s obvious the tune favours comfort over conviction -- especially over choppy corners. Here, the ride can become a smidgen unsettled, especially in wet conditions.

Cabin acoustics are sufficiently muted, though engine noise at idle and under load is apparent. Mechanical and road noise and vibration is well contained and tyre noise negligible -- though this seems to have come at the price of grip when pushing the envelope on the 16-inch Goodyears.

Seating is said to be “sculpted specifically for comfort on longer journeys”, a fact we have no trouble believing after hours at the wheel. Unfortunately the squab offers little in the way of lateral support. Height adjustment and lumbar support are also welcome, however.

Pedal spacing too is ripe for enjoyable driving, the offset pedal height ideal for a quick transition from throttle to brake.

Roll-on performance is a sufficient though overtaking will require a bit of forward planning. The dual-clutch transmission responds well in Drive mode but is better when driven manually from a performance standpoint.

Megane dCi’s 1.5-litre engine can lag a little off the line, but it’s better than some we have driven with maximum torque available from 1750rpm. Fuel efficiency, in spite of a more enthusiastic pace, returned 5.4L/100km on our launch test drive.

Braking, too, is more than up to task -- Megane’s four-wheel discs offer adequate stopping power for any scenario.

Overall, Megane dCi is a simple but solid product with ample performance and pleasing economy. An honest player in the sub-premium segment, its sharp pricing should be enough to sway all but the most obstinate anti-French sentiment.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Renault Megane dCi 2011 Review

Tags