Renault Master E-Tech Reviews

The Captur will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 and already the French company is talking about its potential impact. It follows Renault's great looking two-seater DeZir coupe concept and was created under the direction of new design chief, Laurens van den Acker."I'm quite sure the Captur is being used to test design cues for future production models. It's not exactly like what we'll see but it gives a very good taste," says Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia. "This is part of a concept vehicle stratgegy that kicked off with DeZir.Laurens Van Den acker is communicating the future design direction and this is the next instalment. We're exploring all avenues to grow." The Captur is said by Renault to preview a future road car. "Captur is a fun and sporty crossover, ideal for a young couple about to discover the world," says van den Acker.It is powered by a twin-turbo diesel engine for plenty of punch with low CO2 emissions of just 99 grams/kilometre. Renault says it has a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.0 seconds thanks to an engine with 180 kiloWatts and 380 Newton-metres from just 1.6 litres.It is also fitted with a locking mechanical differential, to boost its front-wheel drive traction in slippery conditions, and a forward looking camera at the top of the windscreen - called Visio-system - to provide the sort of driver-assistance functions already available at Volvo, Benz and other brands.Hocevar says he is looking forward to the arrival of the next-generation Renault models as he continues work to rebuild the brand's support in Australia. The Megane got price cuts and a new hero car last year and he says the results are starting to show among shoppers. "We've still got a long way to go with rebuilding the brand in Australia, but our enquiry has increased to record levels," he says."It's under the halo of the RS250, which is a hero car that has really helped put the brand back on the map. I think we've done a very good job of positioning these cars at the appropriate levels. We're sitting against premium Japanese compact cars as an entry to the European market."

According to Renault F1 chief designer Pat Symonds, ground-effects aerodynamics and turbocharging, both of which were banned in the 1980s, could return. Writing in F1 Racing magazine, Symonds sees the 2020 F1 car also having low-profile tyres on bigger wheels, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) that produce 185kW and a standard, non-downforce rear wing. His vision of a future F1 car takes into account the likelihood of future rules on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. F1 teams have already been instructed to reduce fuel consumption by 35 per cent, while a more environmentally-friendly 1.6-litre turbo engine will be introduced in 2013. "Taking into consideration all the variant motivators that drive regulations, I expect that the F1 car of 2020 will demonstrate much more change than has been seen over the past 10 years," he says.

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.ValueTHE 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.TechnologyTHE 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.DesignTHE 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.SafetyConvertibles 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.DrivingWatching 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. 

It admits that an international network may have obtained data about its EV programs - allegedly leaked by three Renault employees who are under investigation - but says its vital technology secrets are safe.In a newspaper report in France on the weekend, it says production of EVs will not be held up.  French newspaper Le Monde on the weekend states Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata saying: "Renault is the victim of an organised international network".He says information leaked is likely to refer to the costs and economic model of the EV program and not technology, including 200 patents that are being lodged."It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology," he says.  "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel OK."Mr Pelata says despite the espionage, Renault's EV program was still on track.  "We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars," he says.Renault will launch three EVs in Europe this year - the Fluence sedan, Kangoo delivery van and the two-seat Twizy.  The city car, the Zoe, will launch next year and is predicted to become the company's best-selling electric car.Renault's work parallels that of its alliance partner Nissan that is globally rolling out its Leaf EV.  Mr Pelata says the three employees had been on suspension without pay since last Monday.Renault aims to press criminal charges against the three. Two of the employees are Matthieu Tenenbaum, deputy head of Renault's electric-vehicle program, and Michel Balthazard, vice president for advance engineering and a member of the management committee.Renault and the French Government (Renault is 15 per cent owned by the French state) are also investigating a possible link in the espionage to China.In 2007, a Chinese student on a work placement at car parts maker Valeo was given a prison sentence for obtaining confidential documents.  A court stopped short of an industrial espionage verdict, instead finding she had "abused trust".

The carmaker has closed its doors on publicly commenting on the allegations but it has outraged the French Industry minister Eric Besson who says it has led France to "economic war".The minister, angry because Renault receives public money for some projects such as the electric vehicle, is calling for improvements in industrial security.Renault and its alliance partner Nissan spend an estimated $400 million a year on EV research and development that has a total budget of $5.5 billion.  The company this week suspended without pay three of its executives after an investigation started four months ago.Bloomberg News reports that the highest ranking of the three suspended executives is Michel Balthazard, vice president for advance engineering and a member of the management committee.  Balthazard, a 30-year veteran of Renault, began his career at Renault in 1980 in the body engineering department.The employees are now being given the chance to respond to the accusations, before any further action is taken.  Renault and its partner Nissan have invested heavily in electric vehicles, which will be one of the key issues in Detroit next week at the launch of the North American International Auto Show.The espionage allegation comes as Renault plans to launch three electric vehicles this year.  Renault has aspirations this year to become the first full-line manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles accessible to the greatest number of buyers."The Renault-Nissan Alliance is developing a complete range of 100 per cent electric powertrains with power ratings of between 15kW and 100kW,' it says.Electric vehicles planned for this year include the Kangoo Express ZE van; the Fluence mid-size sedan; and the Twizy small car.  In 2012, Renault plans to expand that electric lineup with a new city car before offering electric in all its segments.Renault plans to build more than 200,000 EVs a year by 2015-2016.  In Australia, a Renault spokesman says he had no information from the company other than what was published.

The new mini van is longer, wider, has more standard features and is available with a petrol or diesel engine.Importantly, it can also carry more with the cargo capacity increasing across the range. The diesel Kangoo's carrying capacity increases from 2.75 cubic metres to 3 cubic metres, while the payload has increased from 530kg to 800kg. The petrol Kangoo has the same cargo room and its payload has risen to 650kg, up from 530kg.The petrol unit is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 78kW at 5750 revs and 148Nm at 3750 revs and is linked to a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine and transmission combination delivers an official combined fuel economy figure of 8.3 litres per 100km.The 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine generates 63kW at 3750 revs and 200Nm at 1900 revs and is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.This is the economical choice, with the diesel returning the impressive fuel economy rating of just 5.2L/100km, which means it is the most miserly van in its class.The new Kangoo is built off the same base as the Scenic people mover, which Renault says means it has a similar level of driving refinement to a passenger vehicle.It is 178mm longer than the old model and 102mm wider, while the wheelbase has been stretched to 2697mm, 100mm longer than the existing model.The internal load length, when the passenger seat is upright, is up by 60mm to 1731mm while there is now 1218mm of space between the rear wheel arches.There is a left hand door as standard, while an additional right hand door is available as an option.Renault has upgraded the exterior, with a new look that borrows cues from the European Twingo baby car. It has also fitted some handy standard equipment including Bluetooth phone connectivity, airconditioning and cruise control.Other standard features include electric windows, electric wing mirrors that fold back and also have a heater function, a trip computer, a height adjustable steering wheel, fog lights, a load liner and protection bars located behind the driver's seat.The Kangoo comes standard with anti skid disc brakes and a driver's side front airbag and pre-tensioning seatbelts.You can get electronic stability control (ESC) as an option for the petrol model but not the diesel, while a front passenger airbag as well as side airbags for the driver and passenger are optional on both.

Renault was late coming to the SUV scene, but when it did arrive it did so with quite a bang in the form of the Koleos.  Given its association with Nissan and access to the Japanese carmaker's off-road expertise it was inevitable that Renault would build an SUV. It was also a given that when it did it would be a competent off-roader.MODEL WATCHThe Koleos was something of an international traveler in the auto world being the product of the French-Japanese alliance between Nissan and Renault and built in Korea by Renault Samsung Motors.While the Koleos was based on the Nissan X-Trail and used the same all-mode 4x4 running gear from the X-Trail it brought a touch of French flair to the SUV scene.At first glance you would not have guessed the five-seater Koleos wagon was a close corporate cousin of the X-Trail, it had a fresh, attractive look that clearly set it apart from the more conservative looking Nissan.Renault introduced the Koleos with two levels of trim, the entry level Dynamique and the better-equipped Privilege, with 4x4 and 4x2 petrol and diesel models.The petrol engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit producing 126 kW at 6000 revs and 226 Nm at 4400 revs, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel was available in two tune variants depending on the transmission choice.When linked to the manual gearbox it put out 127 kW and 360 Nm, but was detuned to take care of the auto and put out 110 kW and 4400 Nm in that combination.Renault cleverly offered the Koleos in two-wheel drive form, in which it was a regular front driver, or four-wheel drive form when it had Nissan's all-wheel drive 4x4-i system.  With the 4x4 system the Koleos could be driven in two-wheel drive mode, auto or four-wheel drive with a switch.In auto mode, it ran in front-wheel drive until the system detected wheel slip when it would begin driving the rear wheels as well. The maximum torque split between front and rear wheels was set at 50 percent.The transmission choices were a six-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed auto, and a CVT continuously variable transmission. The cabin was stylish and modern, and quite roomy, although tall occupants would find the rear a little cramped.The fit and finish was generally of a good standard, and the materials used looked and felt of a decent quality.IN THE SHOPThe feedback from the field is that little is troubling Koleos owners to date, which is a good sign that they are in for a reliable run.  Nissan X-Trail mechanical package isn't giving any indication of having problems and that should translate across to the Koleos as well.While the Koleos is unlikely to find its way off the black top it's still a wise move to check underneath for damage that might have been caused by going bush.Also make the usual checks for a regular service routine, and crash repairs to the body.IN A CRASHWith standard front, side and head airbags, stability control, and ABS anti-lock braking the Koleos was well placed to cope with a crash.  ANCAP gave it five out of five stars in its crash testing.UNDER THE PUMPRenault claimed the Koleos would do between 7.2 L/100 km (diesel) and 9.9 L/100 km (petrol). Carsguide readers report that on average they get 8.2L/100km from the diesel and 10.8L/100km from the petrol version.OWNERS SAYDara and her husband Brian were looking at a Nissan X-Trail before discovering the Koleos. They bought the Renault and say they love everything about it. It is great to drive, very quiet, the radio and speakers are excellent, and there is plenty of legroom for six- footers like Brian.David says his 2009 diesel manual Koleos has light steering, but a woeful turning circle, the seats are a bit flat and he would like more rear legroom. To date, with 40,000 km on the odo, it has been largely trouble free. His only issue has been blocking of the DPF filter, which was fixed with a dealer forced regeneration and an ECU upgrade so it doesn't get blocked again. Dealer servicing isn't Toyota cheap, but isn't BMW dear either.Paul Burke's Koleos is his third Renault, and he says he has had no trouble with any of them. With five alloys, heated electric seats, choice of leather colour, and a split tailgate shopping is great particularly for oldies. The 2.5-litre auto cruises well and is so quiet, the sound system is unbelievable, and it runs on standard fuel.LOOK FORFresh stylish lookChoice of petrol or dieselProven Nissan mechanicalsRoomy cabinTHE BOTTOM LINEStylish French wagon with proven Japanese mechanical package makes for an attractive SUV package. 80/100

By Sunday night he will either have joined Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones on the honour roll of Australia's Formula One world champions, or not... Either way, Webber is a champion. The way he has behaved through the 2010 season, in a team that is clearly backing Sebastian Vettel against him, has been amazing. There  have been no public tantrums, nothing unprofessional or nasty, just a down-the-line performance by a man who has worked hard for everything in his life. Alright, there was his line about "Not bad for a number two" after the finish of the British Grand Prix, but winners can afford to be grinners. Occasionally. Lots of people lost faith in Webber during his troubled time in Formula One. Some were never believers. Yet Webber has lifted to every challenge, from his first start in Albert Park with Minardi, through the tough times at Jaguar, then the awful realisation that Williams would not be able to giving him a winning car. When Webber joined Red Bull he had to prove himself against David Coulthard, a proven race winner. When he finally got the right car for the job, but he also got Vettel as his team mate. But enough of the future, because there is plenty to celebrate in Webber's past. I can clearly remember the night of the Australian Grand Prix ball when he went around and introduced himself to all the powerbrokers in F1, in an example of cold calling and successful selling that trumps anything by the Mormons. Then there was the time his Mercedes sports car backflipped at Le Mans and tried to kill him. Twice. And what about his comeback last year from the mountain bike crash in Tasmania that could also have killed him? This year Webber has been in his prime, bagging pole positions and   winning races in a Red Bull RB6 that matches his skill and commitment.  Most people expected Vettel to wipe him but Webber has been brilliant. Will he win this weekend? Perhaps. Maybe. We hope so. Most likely Webber will need some special help from Red Bull and   Vettel but, even if it comes, it will leave a bitter taste at the end of a vintage year. And that's not a good thing for anyone. Alan Jones thinks Webber has done a great job and deserves the championship. The Carsguide crew agrees and, even better, I will be trackside at Abu Dhabi this weekend for a chapter of motorsport history. It promises to be a very special weekend.

THE biggest loser is poised to become the biggest winner for Renault. The big-bottomed Renault Megane Hatch has gone on a diet and lost a lot of lard around the rear end. It's also lost a lot of weight in customer's hip pockets.In his first new product launch since taking over the reins of Renault Australia less than two months ago, Justin Hocevar is brisltling with excitement at the release of the Megane Hatch, Coupe-Cabriolet and RS250. "It's a less-polarising design," Hocevar admits.He believes the new Megane range will lift flagging sales with their high level of equipment "but not inflated price tags", simplified two-trim variants and charming Euro styling.VALUERenault has announced a drive-away price of $25,990 for the Megane Hatch Dynamique manual listed at $22,990. The CVT auto adds $2000.Compare that with the 2003 launch of the Megane which started at $31,990 for the two-litre Dynamique with five-speed manual. The entry model 1.6-litre model was $25,990.Renault spokesman Sylvain Martin-Villa says the new Megane Hatch comes with a lot of standard equipment not included on the original model such as six airbags, cruise control, ESP, hands-free keycard and music-streaming Bluetooth which is standard in all the new models.The top-spec Privilege adds leather upholstery and trim, sunroof, satnav, rear parking sensors and is listed at $29,990.The Coupe-Cabriolet comes in Dynamique only, with satnav, heated seats and a folding glass roof from $45,990.The Megane Renault Sport 250, which features in the latest Need for Speed computer game, arrives in Cup from $41,990 and Troph#aacee from $46,990, adding Recaro seats, remote key, tyre pressure minitor and 19-inch alloys.TECHNOLOGYThe Megane Hatch and Coupe-Cabriolet share the two-litre four-cylinder engine with power figures of 103kW (102kW in the Megane Dynamique manual) and 195Nm of torque, married to a six-speed manual or a six-step CVT, although the Coupe-Cabriolet is CVT only.The RS250 also features the two-litre engine, but turbocharged to 184kW/340Nm mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. It comes with Brembo brakes, lowered and stiffer Cup suspension and a performance data monitor that displays lap times, engine performance, G force and more.There are no diesel Meganes available at launch. "Diesel doesn't fit our philosophy," Hocevar says. "Customers want high-revving engines and we don't want to dilute the business case at the moment with diesel."He says the high demand in Europe for diesel would create supply problems here. "The Australian diesel market is increasing, but it's still not high," he says. However, Hocevar says a diesel Megane will arrive in the next 12 months when the new double-clutch gearbox is available.STYLING"These are not conservative designs," Hocevar says. However, the hatch now looks more like a lot of other hatches in the market, particularly French colleague, the Peugeot 308 hatch.The CC is marked by a glass sunroof and a boat-like rear end. Renault claims the roof goes in 22 seconds, but it takes about five seconds more and must be done while stationary.The RS250 looks better from the rear with its massive diffuser and centralised single exhaust pipe that should please the hot hatch fans. Inside, it's a little gaudy with yellow seatbelts, seat stitching and tacho.SAFETY All new models have a long list of safety features such as six airbags, automatic headlight and wipers, ESP, ABS, emergency braking assist and on the CC there is rollover protection. There are also energy-absorbing bumpers to protect pedestrians.DRIVINGThe Megane Hatch distinguishes itself as a quiet and comfortable ride with solid road manners and the ability to boogie when the roads get a little twisty.It's always had sporty front-wheel-drive handling characteristics, but now with a little less understeer and torque steer. It also handles the sudden jolts in road surfaces a little better. The CVT makes the engine scream when pushed and you are better advised to use the six-step selector for shuffling through the gears.Inside is a pleasant environment with plenty of soft touch surfaces, especially where you rest your elbows. However, the seats are short in the base and the winding mechanical adjustment is archaic.The switches and controls are typically quirky like most French cars such as the audio controls on a stalk hidden behind the steering wheel. Surprisingly there is no passing indicator function that flashes two or three times.Front-seat passengers will enjoy the high command position and the sense of space. In Coupe format, the CC has more structural integrity than most folding hard tops. It handles without drama and there are no groans or creaks from the roof joins.The glass roof only has a gauze cover which is not enough to shield passengers against the sun's harmful rays, glare and heat. With the top down, the dashboard and steering vibrate and the weight of the folding roof with its heavy glass in the boot makes the front light and the steering vague.We experienced the RS250 only on the Broadford motorcycle track, a challenging, undulating circuit with off-camber and blind corners. Hocevar says, "This is how it should be driven."The RS250 joins the recently released Clio Sport 200 Gordinio edition in Renault's venerable sport stable that goes all the way up to Mark Webber's work car. "This is not just stick-on badges, but ground-up reworking," says Hocevar.On the track, even hard-core sports machines can feel soft. Here the RS250 feels sloppy, the brakes soft, the steering vague and it's simply too quiet until it's hitting the rev limiter. It would probably be quite good on the open road where the bumps can unsettle more highly strung hot hatches.At least the LSD ensures there is little wheelspin, while there is virtually no torque steer.VERDICTRenault has hit the spot with pricing, features, styling and refinement. Megane Hatch is now a much more approachable design. There has always been a market for Renault Sport products, but the RS250 will win few converts, even though it looks the part.It remains to be seen whether the company can restore some faith in this quality Euro marque.Renault MeganeMegane Hatch: $22,990 (Dynamique manual or $25,990 driveaway), $24,990 (Dynamique CVT), $29,990 (Privilege CVT) $29,990Megane Coupe-Cabriolet: $45,990Megane RS250 Cup: $41,990Megane RS250 Cup Trophee: $46,990Engine: 1997cc (1998cc RS), 16-valve, 4-cylinder (twin-scroll turbo RS)Power: 103kW, 102kW (Dynamique manual), 184kW (RS)Torque: 195Nm, 340Nm (RS)Transmissions: 6-step CVT, 6-speed manual

JUST as the Jetta is a Golf with a boot, so too the Renault Fluence is a Megane with a boot.But it is so much more. With a 4.6m body length and 2.7m wheelbase, this is a genuine five-seater that puts this "small car" closer to the medium-sized category.Yet this isn't the replacement for the Laguna. That's the even larger Latitude which is coming early next year. New Renault Australia boss Justin Hocevar is optimistic that the Fluence will rank alongside the new Megane Hatch and Koleos compact SUV as the biggest sellers in their range.The Fluence is arriving in our showrooms now in the company's new strategy of two trim levels, Dynamique and Privilege. Hocevar says the two-trim strategy will be less confusing for customers.VALUEThe Fluence sedan will sell for the drive-away price of $25,990 for the Dynamique manual. It is listed at $22,990, the CVT is an extra $2000 and the top-spec Privilege with CVT is listed at $29,990. That aligns it more closely with the Japanese competitors than its Euro counterparts.Yet Renault hasn't cut corner on features. The Dynamique includes a smart key card for keyless unlocking and engine starting, Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming and dual zone climate control air conditioning.Privilege adds satnav, a 3D sound system, electric glass sunroof, black leather upholstery, passenger seat height adjustment with lumbar support, multimedia connection box (aux input socket and USB), rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels.TECHNOLOGYThe Fluence shares engine and drivetrain with the Megane Hatch. It's powered by a two-litre four-cylinder engine with 103kW and 195Nm of torque, married to a six-speed manual or a six-step CVT.Satnav is included on the Privilege trim, but because they have run out of room for buttons on the centre console, you get a remote control. This could easily get lost under a seat and it's fiddly to use, although it does allow back-seat drivers to really tell you where to go.STYLEThe new Fluence is an elegant small sedan with a generous 4.6m body length and 2.7m wheelbase creating a lot of space for five people.Streamlined, horizontal headlights and taillights give the vehicle a feline look. It's elegant in its simplicity, but a little fussy around the lower door sills.Inside, it is an identical setup to the new Megane, except for a larger rear bench, much more legroom and headroom, and, of course, a boot. That cargo area is one of the biggest in its class at 530 litres and the access is wide and low with a flat boot floor and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for carrying long items such as a surfboard.The cabin is airy and comfortable with plenty of soft-touch surfaces, especially where you might want to rest a bony elbow. There is a lot of chrome around the door handles, instrument surrounds and gearlever knob, and a choice of light or dark leather upholstery in the Privilege.There are also some practical touches such as a chilled glovebox. Inside and out, the car has a high-quality fit and finish.SAFETYAll Renaults have a high specification of active and passive safety systems for their class. Standard safety systems include the now-standard ESP, all the usual braking systems and six airbags.It also features cruise control and speed limiter, automatic lights and wipers, fog lights and rear parking sensors on the Privilege.DRIVINGThe Fluence makes the refined new Megane almost seem harsh. It is eerily quiet, sophisticated and rides with the composure of a much bigger car.Steering is ultra-light at low speed for easy parking and firms up as speed gathers with a nice weight and feel. Despite its comfy rid, it still swaps direction on twisty roads with aplomb.Renault claims the Fluence's specific roll angle is 0.42 for lateral acceleration of 1m/s2 compared with a segment average of 0.45. It's all technical gobbledygook, but it means it sits flat in corners and won't make the kids sick in the rear bench.While the CVT makes the engine scream, the noise is fainter than in the Megane thanks to sound insulation. Inside, it is identical to the Megane, except for the extra room front and back.VERDICTThe elegant Fluence should win some customers in the growing small-to-medium sedan category with its high levels of features, its sophisticated looks, its quiet ride and its attractive price tag.Renault FluencePrice: $22,990 (Dynamique man, $25,990 driveaway) $24,990 (Dynamique CVT), $29,990 (Privilege CVT)Engine: 1997cc, 16-valve, 4-cylinderPower: 103kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 195Nm @ 3750rpmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-step CVTTurning cycle: 11.1mWheels: 6.5 J 16 and 17 inchTyres: 205/60 R16 and 205/55 R17Brakes: 280mm ventilated discs (front), 260mm solid discs (rear)Suspension: MacPherson struts (front), flexible beam (rear)Economy: 7.8L/100kmCO2: 184g/km (185 CVT)Fuel tank: 60 litresKerb weight: 1328kg (man) 1369 (CVT)Dimensions (mm): 4618 (l), 2037 (w), 1501 (h), 2702 (wheelbase), 156 (clearance)