Renault Megane 2019 News

Pricing for Renault's hottest hot hatch has been confirmed, with the fire-breathing Megane R.S.

Renault Australia has discontinued the entry-level Life and Zen variants from its Megane small car range - a move that increases the price of entry to the Megane line-up by $10,500.But like Holden’s recent decision to cull the Astra range to just a hatchback body-style, Renault has also killed off the Megane sedan and wagon locally.This leaves just the Megane GT-Line, GT and RS (Renault Sport) variants left, though the Megane RS Trophy and RS Trophy-R are due to be added later in 2019. Megane sales have slowed to a trickle in 2019 with just 15 sold to the end of May, according to VFACTS. This pales in comparison with the Mazda3 (12,682 units), Toyota Corolla (11,882) and Hyundai i30 (11,033). Sales of the Megane Sport range are more positive, with 155 sold in the same time period, although Renault Australia’s sales are down 20.7 per cent year on year to 3054 units. While slow sales are likely the reason to the Megane range’s culling, Renault Australia is also preparing to introduce the Kadjar small SUV that will sit between the Captur and Koleos. Due in late 2019, the Kadjar is based on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai and is likely to be priced from around $27,000.

The latest iteration of Renault’s wild Trophy-R Megane – the most powerful and race-ready road-going variant offered by the brand – has again conquered rivals at Germany’s hallowed Nurburgring circuit.

Renault Australia has released an upgraded Megane RS range for the 2019 model year, priced from $45,990 plus on-road costs.The 2019 Megane RS range has been split into two models - Sport and Cup - for a more streamlined range. The Cup is also now available as a six-speed dual-clutch auto. Standard kit on the Megane RS Sport includes an 8.7-inch portrait multimedia system with satellite navigation, 19-inch alloy wheels, '4Control' four-wheel steering, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic parking, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, distance warning and AEB, heated/auto-folding mirrors and automatic LED headlights and wipers.Replacing the previously optional Cup pack is the full-time Megane RS Cup, which adds a 10 per cent stiffer chassis than the Sport, as well as a mechanical limited-slip front differential, dark 19-inch alloy wheels and bi-material brakes. Sport DCT and all Cup models are now equipped with a Bose sound system and alcantara/leather upholstery as standard. Metallic paint is available for $800 ($1000 for ‘Liquid Yellow’ or ‘Tonic Orange’) and a panoramic sunroof is $1990 (unavailable on Sport manual). 

Renault Australia has reintroduced a five-year/unlimited km warranty on the Renault Sport Megane - more commonly known as the Megane RS - almost a year after it was reduced to three years. The longer warranty applies to just the Megane RS, which is the only new Renault Sport product on sale in Australia currently - the Clio RS is in runout. Megane RS models purchased after today, May 1st 2019, will feature the five-year warranty as standard, matching the standard Renault range. The reduction to three years' cover came in May 2018 when Renault’s international head office made the call for all Renault Sport products to be equipped with a three-year/unlimited km warranty term. The company received backlash for the move, and is perhaps the reason as to why it has been reinstated. The upgraded warranty of Renault Sport products now matches regular Renault models, as well as competitors from Hyundai, Volkswagen, Skoda, Honda and Ford, along with alliance partner Nissan. The Megane RS is priced competitively for a high-performance hatch, listing at $44,990 plus on-road costs. Perhaps the reinstatement of a longer warranty will help it secure more sales, as it has averaged just 30 cars per month so far in 2019.