Renault Megane CC 2011 review

As a coupe the Renault Megane is a smart Euro-styled car with a huge glass roof, but it comes into its own when the hardtop is stowed for open-air motoring.

Value

THE pleasure of roof-down motoring is a $16,000 premium over the top-spec Megane hatch and adds 160kg to the weight. That puts it right in the running for compact cabrio buyers.  The competition is fierce with the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and VW Eos all within $1000.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, which is why Renault Australia expects this car to grab a solid slice of the market.

Technology

THE Karmann-designed folding hardtop isn't the quickest operating system on sale, but it does a good job of insulating the occupants from exterior noise.  Renault also worked to quieten the car when stationary and it generally works - there isn't a lot of noise if you're stopped at the lights by yourself.

The high waistline helps block sound and make the occupants feel secure.  Standard equipment includes a satnav, auxiliary and USB inputs, heated driver's seat and heated exterior mirrors, a glass wind deflector and an eight-speaker sound system.

Design

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THE coupe-cabriolet carries the Megane family's front-end design DNA and will earn fans for its clean lines. It looks good with the roof up and is hard to pick as a convertible.

The interior is smart and functional and the front seats automatically roll forward to increase access room for rear passengers. Lift the lid and lines still flow, but boot space is then limited to a couple of overnight bags.

Safety

Convertibles compromise safety - it's hard to engineer as much structural protection into a vehicle that doesn't have a roof - but the Megane feels like a solid chunk of metal.

The B-pillar has been reinforced for more protection from a side-on hit and a pair of pop-up roof arches deploy in milliseconds if the system detects a rollover.  Daytime running lights make the car more visible and a tyre pressure monitoring system will detect any loss of pressure if it becomes a major drama.

Software runs from ABS with brake asssist and brakeforce distribution to electronic stability and traction control.

Driving

Watching the windscreen flex by a couple of millimetres as the roof releases doesn't inspire confidence, but the chassis is more than a match for the engine and doesn't twist even if the camber changes mid-corner.

The car's target market are style rather than drive enthusiasts, which explains why the coupe-convertible comes only with the continuously variable transmission rather than the six-speed manual in the hatch and sedan that helps drivers get the most from the 103kW/195Nm in the 2-litre engine.

So it's not going to take on a VW Eos on the road, but will hold its own against it parked at the spa resort.  With that in mind, it is hard to argue with the dynamics of the compact cabrio.

It sits flat in the turns and conversations aren't at shouting level even at highway speeds.  The steering is spot on and the suspension is soft enough to soak up most bumps without wallowing.  It's a horses-for-courses kind of car and if your tastes run to dressage rather than galloping, the Megane is a good thing.