Renault Megane dCi sedan

Possibly stung by Peugeot's success with compression ignition (over half of all Peugeot sales in Australia are diesels), Renault has now introduced diesel variants of the Megane sedan.

Unlike its petrol counterpart (more here), the Renault Megane Expression dCi is fitted with standard alloy wheels and can be specified with an optional four-speed automatic transmission -- or the standard six-speed manual.

The diesel Megane is also available in the higher grade Privilege variant with automatic transmission only, so you don't have to live like a monk to drive a diesel car.

The 1.9-litre common-rail diesel develops 96kW of power at 4000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Those figures apply to the Megane dCi with the manual transmission. For the automatic application, the engine is de-tuned to 260Nm at 1600rpm, but the power output remains the same.

Fuel consumption results, according to ADR 81/01 combined cycle figures are 5.8lt/100km for the manual and 6.8 for the auto.

Renault calculates that the manual would cover 1034km on one tank of fuel, based on the ADR 81/01 figure.

Equipment levels for the Megane dCi equate to the petrol variants, so the entry-level Expression variants are fitted with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, an electronic stability control program, front side and curtain airbags, cruise control with speed governor, climate control, remote audio controls, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric windows, electric mirrors, cooled glovebox, follow-me-home headlights, trip computer and external temperature gauge.

The Privilege variant builds on the Expression level with leather trim, rear parking sensors, six-stack in-dash CD, floor mats, satin-chrome door handles and body-coloured side protection strips and bumper rubbing strips.

Prices are $27,990 for the Megane dCi Expression manual, $30,490 for the auto and $35,990 for the Megane dCi Privilege auto. These prices are a $3000 premium over the petrol-engined counterparts.

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