Renault Megane 2008 News

Renault has finally confirmed there will be a track-ready, RS version of the new Megane, and that EVs and SUVs that will soon wear the Renault Sport badge.

But there are no travel documents for Australia yet. The local arm of the French brand has apparently made a New Year's resolution to focus on the current Megane range for 2012 and Renault Australia's Emily Ambrosy says the facelifted Megane is not likely to appear in Australia this year but wouldn't detail a 2013 timeframe. "We only introduced Megane hatch and RS250 into Australia at the end of 2010, for us it's still a relatively new vehicle to our line-up - because of that it is too early to confirm anything on timing, pricing, specification, or engines for our phase 2. We'll be focussing on our current product for 2012," she says. Renault head-office has introduced changes to the Megane range, the most comprehensive of which dwell beneath the bonnet. The French marque is introducing three new engines to the Megane on its home turf. The three new Energy engines have Stop and Start and brake energy recovery systems; the new Megane will bring with it the first direct-injection turbo petrol engine -  the Energy TCe 115 1.2-litre replaces the 1.6-litre 16V, producing  86kW and 190Nm of torque (up 4kW and 40Nm over the 1.6-litre engine), with fuel consumption down as much as 25 per cent to 5.3 litres/100km. Megane MY12 will get two diesel engines - the dCi 110 and 130. The diesel Energy dCi 110 1.5-litre engine is the top-selling powerplant according to Renault, with fuel use down by 12 per cent to 3.8l/100km, a 20Nm jump in torque to 260Nm, with around 82kW of power. The Energy dCi 130 1.6-litre diesel engine produces 79kW and 320Nm of torque, with a combined-cycle thirst of 4 litres/100km, a 20 per cent reduction. Small styling changes have been wrought on the front end, with the addition of  LED daytime running lights, a gloss-black bumper with chrome touches, as well as new-look wheel designs. The interior options have grown to include a two-tone leather/alcantara pack available in three variations, as well as a Bose version and GT models with LED lights, a sports steering wheel and red-stitched sports trim. Megane will be offered (at least in its home market for now) with the "Visio System" which uses a windscreen-mounted camera to control the use of high-beam (above 45km/h) when the level of lighting drops or when no cars are detected. The camera is also used by the lane departure warning system, which monitors the car's road position and indicator use and warns the driver if the systems decides the driver is drifting across lanes. Also on the features list for the new car is a hill-start assistance system, Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB input, satnav a rear camera, dual-zone climate control with an air quality sensor with automatic recirculation. The RS versions of the Megane also get an upgrade, with 11kW and 20Nm on offer when Sport mode is called up, as well as a revised soundtrack and interior trim improvements. The Renault Megane, manufactured in Palencia, Spain, is the brand's top-selling model in Australia as well as globally - sales exceed 235,000 units worldwide in 2011 and 730,000 units since its launch at the end of 2008. Megane MY12 will go on sale from March in Europe and then other markets - not including Australia - through the course of the year. Ms Ambrosy says the 2012 sales result of 3622 vehicles was the French brand's best Australian effort since 2002. "The brand was reintroduced it in 2001 and sold 1960, in 2002 they sold 4572, it tapered off after that - it's exciting for us as it shows the new direction and product, which is a very affordable proposition and great value," she says. The company has had an inconsistent history when it comes to quality and reliability but the new-generation product is aiming to change that. "We're showing people how reliable it is with the five-year warranty - we're happy with our warranty claims. Since the new Koleos was introduced in 2008, we've had a decrease of 57 per cent in warranty claims, it's a tremendous turnaround for the brand," she says. "We've just appointed a new LCV manager to drive that business, Renault LCVs are number one in Europe and has been for the last 12 years, they are great vans and we see huge potential in that area." The light-commercial side of the ledger also improved, with a 72 per cent increase to 615 light commercial vehicles sales increase with 615 Trafic vans, with more to come on that front from the new Renault Master this year. Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar was thrilled with the sales result. "This result is proof that our strategy of de-positioning our vehicles and providing greater value to our customers was the right approach for Renault Australia," he says.

It wants to showcase the zero emission car here to remind consumers it has not been caught napping with new technology. It also believes a car like the Megane EV would work in well with neighbourhood "car share" rental schemes in use in Sydney and Melbourne. Managing director, Rudi Koenig, believes EV cars are perfect for these schemes, similar to the bicycle rental system in Paris where people can rent a bike for short trips around the city. Koenig believes that over the past 12 months, the electric car story has been dominated by Japanese and North America carmakers. He wants to grab back a slice of the action, reminding consumers that work on the Megane EV is well advanced. A version of the small sedan is expected to be on sale in the geographically smaller markets of Denmark and Israel next year. Renault says it will deliver similar performance to a petrol powered 1.6-litre Megane. The company expects the EV car to cost the same as a turbo-diesel, about $3000 more than a conventional petrol engine. The Megane EV is part of a collaboration between Renault-Nissan and venture company Better Place, which is also helping roll out EV infrastructure to several markets, including Australia. Initially this infrastructure is likely to be centred on Sydney and Melbourne. Better Place is working with AGL Energy and Macquarie Capital Group to develop a recharging grid for electric cars locally. Renault along with its alliance partner Nissan, has been at the forefront of the push for EV vehicles. The recently unveiled Renault bebop concept van and Nissan's EV-02 car share components. The bebop is powered by a 44kW electric motor that winds out to 12,000 revs and has a top speed of 130km/h. The concept's lithium-ion battery pack comes from a Nissan-NEC joint venture. Nissan says these batteries have 90 per cent better efficiency than a conventional petrol engine and are designed to deliver between 80 per cent and 100 per cent peak capacity for at least six years. Better Place is working with several battery manufacturers to develop new lithium-ion battery technology for a range of new Renault and Nissan vehicles expected to be on sale by 2012. Lithium-ion batteries store significantly more energy and generate twice the power per unit volume than nickel metal hydride batteries currently used in many hybrids. Renault is also working on a recycling program to make sure the new-generation batteries can be disposed of safely. The first mass-market electric cars are also likely to hit Australia by 2012. Mitsubishi Australia has already cleared the way to get its i-MIEV on our roads sometime next year, while minor players Blade Electric Vehicles already builds a $42,990 Hyundai Getz. GM-Holden is also pushing hard to get its hybrid ‘range-extender’ Volt on sale here by 2012. Toyota too will supplement its Prius hybrid next year with the locally build Camry hybrid and a plug-in Prius is also planned. One of the biggest issues facing EV cars is their short range and time it takes to recharge. Newer ‘fast-charge’ systems slash recharging times and the next-generation batteries are pushing the range beyond 150km between recharges.

Despite a debut this month at the Paris motor show, with styling that finally ditches the dumpy J.Lo rump in favour of a chic new set of curves, the timing for a Down Under debut is not set and not certain for next year. Renault Australia says it is committed to the new Megane hatch and coupe, as well as the many other Megane-based models that will follow, but says it can't short-cut the French company's global roll-out plan. “We aim to be on sale in Australia within 12 months of the first sales in Europe,” says Renault Australia marketing chief Craig Smith. “Megane is rolled out in Europe in November, and it's a staged roll-out that goes for quite a while after that. “So the indicative timing here is late 2009 or early 2010 ... it's a case of being able to access the models we need.” Smith says Renault concentrates first on left-hand drive at home in France, gradually spreading the footprint from there. But he says the roll-out for the new Megane is also complicated by plans to build the cars in a number of factories. “The international models don't come on stream for a while,” he says. “Some will be manufactured in Europe and some will not. The difference is the cost base.” Renault's plan for Australia is still under discussion with head office and it is likely to be a mix-and-match process. “We'll take both models,” Smith says. “So the final line-up will have cars made in Europe and some made somewhere else.” However, just where else they might be made is not a certainty, according to Smith. “That is still to be confirmed,” he says. “The Koleos is made in Korea, we have factories in South America and eastern . There are all sorts of choices.” And what about the Megane line-up, which stretches to nine body styles in France? Smith says it probably won't be all nine models, but also won't be too far off that. The company will “definitely be looking at the RenaultSport models”. He has already seen the cars and is confident they could provide the final breakthrough for Renault Australia after more than five years of struggle and sluggish sales. “The cars are sensational,” Smith says. “From a local point of view we can't get the cars soon enough. They are everything we need. “It's a great looking car, the right size, and the right range of powertrains.” And despite the 12-month delay before the arrival of the new Megane, Smith says the Megane sedan will take Renault part of the way through next year, but he says there will be a gap between the two. Despite the delay, Smith says Renault Australia plans to be aggressive with their pricing, although he can't commit to a significant reduction from the current stickers, which run from $24,990 for the Megane sedan and $26,990 for the hatch. “We'll aim to be in the largest segment of the market pricing below where we are at the moment and with the same product.”  

New French cars are doing it tough Down Under.The top-secret prototypes were seen in Townsville this week as they completed a Down Under durability trial, part of a regular test program in Australia for all the French carmaker's new models.The cars were heavily disguised. All badges had been removed and false panels covered noses and tails, but they were the Laguna Coupe and the successor to the current Megane hatchback.The two-door Laguna is expected to break cover next month at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix but the Megane will not be ready for showrooms until late next year.The delay on local deliveries will probably be 12 to 18 months for both cars.Renault Australia refused to confirm the identity of the cars, or even any involvement in a program with the Megane and Laguna Coupe, but their escort was a giveaway.They were pictured leaving a Townsville motel after an overnight stop with the latest Renault Koleos four-wheel drive, undisguised, carrying the support crew for the French engineering team.“We do not discuss future products,” Renault Australia spokesman Craig Smith says.But he admits Renault is using Australia to test its future models, for final certification and advanced engineering on hand-built prototypes.“Every product we bring out in Australia from now on will have an element of local testing,” he says. “The new Laguna did about 30,000km of testing in Australia before it was launched in Europe.”The five-door Laguna hatch will be in showrooms here in June, first with a diesel engine as the company's local flagship.It will be followed several months later by a petrol-engined model. The Laguna Estate wagon will go on sale in September.Testing of the Laguna Coupe is part of the car's durability certification, which includes hot-weather running and trials on rough-road conditions with cars built on the regular production line in the build-up to full capacity.The Megane will probably be an engineering prototype, hand-built and undergoing much more fundamental test work.The car is at least 12 months from its European debut, though it could break cover at the Paris Motor Show in October.Smith was more open about the Koleos, which Renault Australia will introduce to the Australian motoring press in Morocco next month.“The Koleos will be on sale here in September,” he says. “It will be available in petrol and diesel, starting at just over $30,000.”

Meet the Megane Coupe Cabriolet concept, the standout star of the Geneva Motor Show stacked with designer fantasies and production test beds.“This show car emphatically showcases the evolution of Renault design,” says Renault's Patrick Le Quemont. “Its squatter proportions and powerful, energetic styling talk directly to the driver's senses. The spectacular door-opening kinematics add that little touch of magic.”Those doors, which open upwards in two stages - first the glass swings up followed by the metal bottom section - are the standout feature but are unlikely to carry through to the expected appearance of the production Megane Coupe at the Paris Motor Show in September. Renault is not about to confirm any features of future models but does concede the Megane Concept is a taste of a later compact production coupe.Inside, the concept has been styled with a funky future theme featuring ultra-thin seating, acres of red plastic, brushed aluminium and leather with a full suite of electronic gadgetry, including full Bluetooth connectivity, rear-vision cameras and a locking system operated by a mobile phone. The concept rides on 21in wheels, has Brembo brakes and is powered by a conventional 147kW, two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with drive through a six-speed automatic box. One element of the exterior design likely to make production is the front-end treatment.Meanwhile, Hyundai continues its journey to mainstream innovator with the HED-5 i-Mode minivan concept - a six-seat vision of future urban transport.The i-Mode concept on display in Geneva showcased advanced materials and construction with an interior inspired by natural forms and landscapes. The seating is a unique swivel technology from automotive seating specialists Keiper. Powered by a 2.2-litre diesel with sequential turbochargers with 158kW of power and 450Nm of torque, the concept appears to be built off a modified i30 platform. Hyundai's sister company Kia rolled out three versions of its Soul concept, first shown two years ago in Detroit, but this time the boxy hatch is close to production.As the Soul Diva, the Soul Burner and the Soul Searcher, the three concepts are exterior studies of the same vehicle but, judging from the lack of out-there gadgetry in the interior - and ignoring the fanciful interior trim and colour treatments - the model is very close to a production future.Honda moved another step closer to its promised hybrid vehicle to sit side-by-side with Civic by the end of next year, unveiling the stylish CR-Z concept. A three-door hatch with attitude to burn, the CR-Z has already been anointed by Honda as a hybrid sports car of the future.The CR-Z's sleek look is highlighted by minimalist LED headlights and driving lights, nose-down stance and truncated tail with upright rear glass. 

Those tough 'real-world' conditions can quickly reveal a car's weaknesses and strengths, especially if you throw some suburban hills into the equation. So any car which returns less than 8 litres per 100km in city traffic grabs my attention, particularly with fuel prices again heading in the wrong direction. I'm not talking about a pint-size car or one with a small engine for which you would expect fuel consumption to be reasonable. What we are looking at is a mid-size, solidly built European import in Renault's Megane, except this one is a diesel. After a week of trips to the supermarket, the nursery, the hardware store and commuting to work, the typical duties expected of a family car; the Megane's onboard computer dipped to 7.5 litres per 100km. To put that in cash terms, it's less than $20 for a week's running. Throw in some country travel and the average fuel consumption level would be even better. Now, the Megane is not the most fuel-efficient car in the market but it gives a good indication of how affordable a diesel can be without having to sacrifice any luxuries, performance or handling. How much Petrol-engined Megane prices start at $24,990 after Renault shaved up to $3500 across the model range in April. The diesel arrived in August, with the base Expression priced from $27,990 (manual); the higher-spec diesel Privilege version costs $35,990 (auto only). That's value-for-money buying. What you get You may remember the corny TV ads from Renault showing an executive being chauffeured in the Megane. Then the suit made the driver stop so he could take over the wheel because driving the Megane is so much fun. Hmmmm. It isn't a limo, by a long stretch, but it does have some good prestige features. At the Privilege level you get leather upholstery, cruise control with a handy speed limiter, rear parking sensors, auto switch-on headlights, air conditioning and an average quality six-stack audio system and fog lamps. That's a better kit than some cars that cost substantially more. There's also a lot of clever user-friendly storage bins, which the Europeans are good at, as well as sun shades, which pull up from inside the rear doors and a glove box, which can be chilled from the air conditioning system. Another bit of clever design is the flap to the fuel inlet which incorporates the fuel cap . . . so you don't get your hands dirty. Flip the flap and the cap opens with the door. Neat. There are weird design features, such as a U-shaped handbrake lever which, although looking odd works well, especially if you don't have much strength in your wrist. This car comes with one of those flat, plastic keyless keys (think of an oversized credit card) that you slot into a hole in the dash and then push a starter button. It's all rather complicated when turning a conventional key does the same thing, although this plastic card will fit in your wallet or purse. Safety features Previous Meganes have a five-star rating and there is no reason this one won't be a star performer as well. There's plenty of standard fare with six air bags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters plus rain-sensing wipers. Design The boot is enormous for a car this size. The styling is pleasant but not exactly head-turning and the cabin takes a little time to feel at home with, although it works a treat: there's plenty of leg and head room, good vision and the layout of controls, once you get to know where they are, works well. Under the bonnet Power comes from a 1.9-litre, four-cylinder direct turbo diesel. Power is a modest 96kW at 4000rpm, although a hefty 300Nm of torque makes up for it, peaking at 2000rpm; but there's a catch. You can take your pick from a six-speed manual or four-speed auto, which will be the popular choice. However, the auto box robs it of torque (down to 260Nm), so if you want the added performance of the manual you have to drop down to the Expression level of specification. The Privilege comes as an auto only in this country, which is a pity. Acceleration isn't brilliant but remember this is a diesel. Zero to 100km/h is a leisurely 9.1 seconds. On the road In a word, it's classy. Once you get used to the diesel's idiosyncrasies this mid-sized sedan provides quite a rewarding and surprisingly comfortable, stable drive but don't think of it as a sporty car. It isn't. It can be described as sprightly thanks to its oodles of torque from low down in the rev range. How thirsty An impressive 7.5L/100km, city driving. Renault's official figure is 6.8L/100km for the auto. Impressions Yes, the Megane is quirky; the French go about designing their cars like no one else; and yes, when I first got in I found it uninspiring with little in the way of “wow” factor. However, the Megane is a car that grows on you. It takes time to become familiar with its controls and the way it works. By the end of the week familiarity had taken over. I loved it.    

Renault believes it can score strongly with the new generation of cars it is producing in the style of Mercedes AMG and BMW M in Europe and Australia's HSV and FPV.Renault sport Technologies is gearing up to more than triple production in coming years, following the success of limited-edition models including the Megane turbo cars which have been a big hit in Australia.It already has go-faster Clio and Megane models and is planning to expand the range with RS models based on other cars in the Renault family, including the baby Twingo and the upcoming four-wheel drive known at present as Koleos.The overseas sales chief of Renault sport, Jean Calcat, has just visited Australia and can see strong potential for his company's cars.“One of the objectives of the Renault sport business unit is, within five years, we want to move from 15,000 units to 50,000. That is a three-fold increase, which is by no means easy,” Calcat says.“Renault sport is a brand, but it is practically unknown. The idea is to improve the brand the way Mercedes has with AMG.“In Australia we are only marketing the Megane, so I personally do have a lot of hope in this country and this country's customers.”One of the first opportunities is with the compact Clio, which was dropped by Renault Australia but is being considered for a comeback in 2008.A Renault sport model might make the difference.“Right now we are studying with Renault Australia a Clio RS,” Calcat says. “We can sell this car with a bigger profit than the regular range.“An enthusiast will pay for his toys and at the same time there is less competition.“We have named the special edition Clio the R27, following the Megane R26 with a link to the Renault team in Formula One. It is a car which is not yet in the Australian market.“I understand it may come in the future. I am pushing a lot.“The management of Renault Australia is quite excited about the project. But they want first to ensure the successful launch of the R26.”Beyond the Megane and Clio, Calcat says there are significant expansion plans including a full range of Renault sport GT cars to sit below the existing RS models.“One of the things we want to do is position the RS as the exclusive cars they are today, and then launch a GT label. “For us, it will be in order to bridge the gap between the exclusive RS and the, should I say it, more mundane models.“The idea is really to develop the sale of RS derivatives. This kind of car helps us boost our awareness and image where there is not a high profit.“The main objective is to develop a range of cars that appeal to enthusiasts and create a link between motorsport success and mainstream cars.” 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

1. You have just launched a Megane Phase II in Australia. How important is the car? "We think it's an exciting new product. Megane is a large part of the business, if you think about the Cabriolet, Scenic and Renault Sport models in addition to the basic hatch and sedan." 2. Renault has also decided to make Electronic Stability Control standard across the Megane. Why? "The beauty of ESP is that it takes a driver of average ability and gives them well over average abilities in an emergency situation. It really is a silver bullet. "Research by Renault has shown the benefits of ESP are substantial, with an estimated 35 per cent reduction in single-vehicle accidents attributed to the fitment of ESP." 3. What is the cost of ESP and do you think Renault will get a benefit when GM Holden also makes it standard on the VE Commodore? "It is about a $1000 package. We asked France what the cost was, and whether it could be across the range. So it was a local initiative. "I think it will reinforce the buying decision and what it will do is keep Renault on the consideration set. "We wanted to put a mark on the market that's a little bit different. This certainly gives us the opportunity. I think Holden coming onto the market with ESP will reinforce our decision. Our timing was more about Series II Megane than when Holden were going to launch." 4. So, is Renault trying to be the new Volvo on the safety front? "The difference is that Renault is about safety with fun. And you cannot be 'the' safe one, beacuse most people perceive safety with all cars. "We're not looking to be the new Volvo, but it's such an integral part of renault that we should shout it. "We try to make safety as much fun as possible. It's good to be serious, but it's also good to have fun while being serious." 5. Your sales prediction this year is about 3000 cars yet Renault originally forecast 7500 by now. What has gone wrong? "We're not happy. But that's in line with our forecasting. "It's all well and good to target 7500 but you have got to have product and resources. Those things didn't get. "We have some aggressive plans for the future. Going ahead, we have a solid base and we will grow from there. We will go ahead. "It's always an element of frustration. But I am a patient man. And we do have to walk before we run, and I think we are walking constructively. I would rather do the job properly. 6. What have you got in the pipeline? "Other brands have the advantage of a large carpark, so their service can carry them. Our carpark is about 17,000 cars now, and it's growing, but we cannot sustatin our profitability without giving a chance of new cars. "We have the Scenic II and diesel engines next year. "We're looking for a double banger. We'll have the grand Scenic seven- seater and five-seater, and diesel. "Renault also has plans for 26 new models between now and 2009. They will be into areas which are more global and less European."