Renault Megane (2008): first official photos and video

By Ben Pulman

09 September 2008 17:30

After last week’s leaked photos these are the first official pictures of the new Renault Megane. Along with striking looks, Renault is also offering a raft of clean diesel engines and promising the Megane will feature improved fit and finish, along with better reliability and durability.

The new five-door Megane is the first of six new models that will be on sale by 2010 – the line-up includes a three-door variant, an estate, a CC and the Scenic, with production split between France and Spain. The new Megane goes on sale this November and UK prices will start around £12,500, following an official unveiling at next month's Paris motor show.

What parts of the new Renault Megane haven’t I seen yet?

The interior for a start, which Renault says features a floating dashboard. There’s also a combination of analogue and digital instruments, a colour-coded cruise control and speed limiter system, DVD sat-nav, auto-locking, plus hands-free entry and ignition.

There’s also a remote lighting function which makes your Megane shine like a Christmas tree when you can’t find it in car parks, plus a parking brake that automatically applies when the engines is switched off, and release when the acceerator is pressed.

What about these clean diesel engines?

At launch the new Renault Megane will have four diesel (dCi) engines that produce less than 120g/km CO2, with outputs ranging from 84 to 108bhp. A new 128bhp diesel with 221lb ft will produce 135g/km, while a higher-power versions will launch later.

If you want petrol power then Renault will offer naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines (dubbed TCe for Turbo Control efficiency). The range will start with a 1.6 and rise to a 2.0-litre, while only a TCe with 178bhp will be available from launch. A new 1.4-litre TCe will go on sale in spring 2009, with 128bhp and 187lb ft. Renault is also promising a number of the petrol and diesel engines will be biofuel compatible.

Anything else?

Renault says 95 percent of the new Megane is recyclable, while 12 percent of the plastics in the new car are already sourced from recycling.

Another not-new part for the Megane is the platform – Renault has carried over the substructure of the existing car to the new model. But at least the looks are new and have a strong resemblance to the stunning Megane Coupe Concept shown at the 2008 Geneva motor show. Renault's medium car design director Fabio Filippini calls the looks 'the fruit of a bid to produce an immediately eye-catching design which is not only dynamic and sporty, but which also exudes robustness, quality and solidity.'