ROAD TEST: The new Renault Megane must be a strong challenger to the all-conquering Ford Focus. Michael McAleer found it a much more interesting car than its parent.
If ever a car was misnamed, it's the Renault Megane. It would be hard to find two cars more diametrically opposite than the old and the new Megane. The previous one was relatively nondescript and, in keeping with many of its competitors, offered conservative styling for conservative motoring.
Someone, somewhere let the designers out of the closet for the Megane II.
This car comes already laden with laurels from motoring writers. This year's European Car of the Year, its innovative lines have been hotly debated among motoring enthusiasts and the general motoring public alike.
A quick straw poll suggests the population is evenly divided in a love-hate split. We reside firmly in the love camp.
In any event, for even daring to be different and generating such strong emotions in the first place, Renault deserves a great deal of credit. Other manufacturers may come up with zany, fun and dynamic designs from the studios, and may even produce a few of the cars for a niche segment if pushed.
Few, however, are brave enough to introduce the car as its representative in what is, at least in Ireland, the most significant segment of the market.
Like a smaller version of its flagship Vel Satis (or the outrageous Avantime), Renault has brought innovation to what has been a largely stagnant design pool in the small car market, with the exception of the still-contemporary Ford Focus. It's a brave move indeed. Any attempt to counter the bland and banal must be praised and supported.
Renault seems to have stolen the mantle of French design and eye-catching styling from Citroën, who appear to have discarded it in favour of more rudimentary mainstream design, if still a little quirky.
But to bang on about design is to distract from another key feature in this car: its handling. This is a car that can challenge the dominance of the Focus. It's in the handling that you begin to understand why the car has won so many accolades.
Its sheer bulk helps it feel superbly stable on the road and gives the driver a feeling of security that inspires confidence. This is combined with an agile suspension system that copes well with our poor road surfaces.
Its superb chassis offers very competent cornering ability and agility, with only the slightest tendency to understeer in extreme circumstances, as with most front-wheel drives. As for the steering, it may be a little light for some, but is informative of the road conditions.
Internally, innovative styling is reflected in a retro-style handbrake lever which appears a little delicate for the task at hand. Then there is the card keyless entry system and starter button, fast becoming a Renault trait: initially introduced in larger class models, its inclusion in the Megane, its now most definitely be a part of mainstream motoring. While its overall benefits are lost on us, neither do we see it as a potential weakness.
The price one pays for the new curvaceous lines is a slightly smaller interior - particularly for rear-seat passengers. However, we feel it's not significant enough to warrant any great deal of criticism.
In terms of storage space, the boot is adequate for grocery runs and moderate luggage, and its low-level entry means less lifting. The styling does, however, encroach a little in the width of the boot entrance.
Ergonomically the layout is clean and on a par with any in its class, if let down by the awkward radio control stalk. That has more to do with the radio, however, which is rather fidgety, than overall instrumentation which is clear and, in keeping with the plastic fascia, looks well thought out and solid.
Seating is firm - and comfortable driving in the city is greatly enhanced by its tight turning circle and excellent all-round vision through large windows.
The airwaves are full of advertisements for the car's safety features and hailing its five-star safety rating at the NCAP.
While we refrained from running the car into a wall to verify the test results, there is a plentiful supply of safety features as standard.
We were certainly impressed by the arresting brakes which need only the slightest touch to bring you to an abrupt halt.
The Megane comes with driver, passenger and front side airbags, side curtain airbags, three rear three-point seatbelts, and ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and Brake Assist as standard, plus deadlocking for the doors.
IT ALL gives you the added confidence to push the car that little bit further: yet it also contributed to our disappointment when we encountered the one significant complaint we had with the car - the engine.
Our test car was powered by the 1.4-litre unit, likely to be the most popular engine choice thanks to our inhibitive VRT bands. Unfortunately it seemed to mock the mighty chassis and a great deal of energy is expended in vain attempts to grind out more acceleration through the gears.
That is not to say it's uncompetitive for its market. It's just that as we weaved our way along the back roads, we longed for the 1.6-litre VVT 115 bhp option - or greater.
We didn't have the opportunity to try the Megane's other engine options, but reports have praised its diesel variants. While at present the Irish offerings include a 1.5-litre dCi, Renault do offer a 120 bhp 1.9 dCi but it is unlikely to appear here.
It doesn't take a great deal of imagination to picture this car in full racing garb with a potent 2-litre engine pushing it forward. Unfortunately there are no plans as yet to bring the more potent 2-litre unit to our shores.
Although initially offered only in five-door hatch - which is expected to make up over 70 per cent of the sales - and three-door sport hatch form, ultimately the range is likely to expand to include a five-seat Scenic compact MPV, seven-seat Grand Scenic MPV, Sport Tourer estate, saloon, coupé-convertible models and more.
As for the heart-thumping 200-plus bhp Renaultsport version its unlikely to be seen here unless specifically ordered, and then only in left-hand drive.
Our views on the 1.4-litre engine do not, however, distract from the Megane's great potential.
In the end, for daring to be different, Megane II deserves to do well and gives Ford's ageing Focus a run for its money.
FACTFILE:
ENGINE: A 1,390 cc four cylinder unit offering 98 bhp and 127Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm.
PERFORMANCE: A top speed of 114mph and a 0-60mph of 12.5 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: The high safety spec includes a host of front and side airbags. There's also a CD stereo and auto headlights.
FUEL: Urban: 31 mpg. Extra urban: 52.3 mpg. Combined 42.2 mpg.
PRICE: €19,000 - €23,630.
THE COMPETITION
Renault Megane II 1.4 6v 5dr. 1390cc; 12.5 (0-60); 114 max speed; 98 bhp; 42.2 mpg combined. €19,000.
Ford Focus 1.4 LX 5dr. 1388cc; 14.1 (0-60); 106 max speed; 74 bhp; 41.5 mpg combined. €19,110.
VW Golf 1.4 75 BHP Comfort 5dr. 1390cc; 14 (0-60); 106 max speed; 75 bhp; 41.5 mpg combined. €20,430.
Opel Astra 1.4XE NJOY 5dr. 1389cc; 11.5 (0-60); 112 max speed; 89 bhp; 39.8 mpg combined. €19,390.
Peugeot 307 XR 5dr. 1390cc; 13.3 (0-60); 100 max speed; 75 bhp; 42.2 mpg combined. €19,065.