Renault Reviews

I admit the Megane certainly has a distinctive road presence and a cheeky approach for following traffic.Renault has clenched tightly to a radical design theme – it started with the Vel Satis saloon four years ago – which really gets to the seat of some styling issues.It may surprise you to learn that the Megane hatch's shape is very workable. The boot is expansive, the lift-up hatch is neat, and the cargo area can be greatly enhanced by folding down the rear seats.Function aside, the back end of the car looks interesting, is unusually appealing and allows the rear wheels to be placed at each corner – the latter a promise for ride comfort, space efficiency and precise handling.That placement of the wheels at each corner is one of the reasons for the Megane's superb ride.It reflects all those lovely qualities of French vehicles with long-travel suppleness and – though there is a touch of body roll – Araldite cornering grip.The seats are wide and soft and have full adjustment via levers within the nose of the seat cushions.Inside there are a few extra treats. The styling is attractive yet functional and includes a diagrammatic display for the ventilation – including climatic airconditioning – and a comprehensive onboard computer.There's an excellent radio, with ancillary controls on the side of the steering wheel, and cruise control to add to the goodie list.It has one of the best in-car storage arrangements, with bins within the floor to secrete personal items; fat side pockets in the doors for drink bottles, newspapers and french sticks; a big glove box and a central console bin.Despite the snub tail, the boot is deep and wide. The mountain bikes fit in by folding the rear seat flat.There's no conventional ignition key and no door key – just an unusual credit card-size bit of plastic that slots in the dashboard.Briefly touch the start button and voila, power! You stop the engine by touching the same button. The doors and boot are unlocked by small bumps on the credit card.Auto up and down windows are welcome features in this price bracket.The brakes are sensitive, requiring a cautious foot to decelerate. It could have been a quirk of the test car, however, while it made the braking action seem lumpy, the car brings itself down quickly from speed.Full marks to a four-speed automatic that puts all the power to the ground and, thinking you're probably a better driver than you are, will change down through the gears as you slow for a corner.It also works well as a semi-manual, giving the option of revving the lusty twin-cam four right out to its 6200 red line.I was constantly impressed by this car. Every move it made, it did an exceptional job and even the price is great value.I note the fuel tank ran dry at the rate of 9.2-litres/100km. That's a bit higher than normal but it's actually not entirely the car's fault – it was me and my right foot having fun.

Facing yet another year in the red financially, Renault is fighting back with a model rollout in Australia.Nissan's partner for five years continues to suffer financial losses – tipped to be at least $10 million this year – and lacklustre sales but is buoyant about its future.There's a model feast waiting in the wings as it sets out to win over greater market recognition and sales volume Down Under.This time it is determined to be more than just a niche player, taking on the light-commercial sector as well.Battle plans were unveiled this week, with Renault adding a sedan version to its Megane hatchback range while confirming it has at least six new models, including a line-up of delivery vans, coming within 12 months.Among them is a new Clio in July, a Megane coupe-cabriolet, five and seven-seater versions of the Scenic in October, the hot Megane RS hatch by Christmas and the long-awaited Espace people mover early next summer.The car range will be supplemented by three light commercials, starting with the Trafic. Then comes the larger Master van range in July and the oddly named Kangoo in August.Renault wants to lift volume to 5600 units by the end of this year. Last year, it sold just 3178.Some of that gain the company hopes will come from the new Megane sedan. It has been selling about 90 Meganes a month to hatch buyers and predicts it can sell another 60 to sedan fans.That growth appears to be happening. The brand has been back in Australia for only three years but has achieved more than 10,000 sales in that period – which took Renault 19 years to achieve in its earlier appearance.One of the potential stars of its line-up has been the funky Megane hatch with its distinctive, love-it-or-hate-it bustle back. There's nothing quite like it on the market and Renault Australia has been quick to capitalise on its ``big bum'' attribute in its latest advertising campaign, although buyers remain wary of the styling.The Megane sedan is not so controversially styled and Renault will find it a harder to make it stand out in the already crowded small to mid-sized model range. There are no six-cylinder variants.However, the sedan, launched in Europe in November, comes here with a five-star crash rating in the European NCAP safety evaluations, while its hatchback brother is European Car of the Year.Renault is confident that buyers will be attracted by the Megane's safety features, elegant styling, European badge and status.While the short nose and stubby tail give the car a compact appearance, the sedan is slightly larger than the hatchback, with a longer wheelbase, a roomier cabin and a substantially larger boot.It picks up 80 per cent of the hatchback's mechanical components and most of its features, including the suspension, engine, variable-speed steering, sensitive brakes and credit-card key system, which requires the driver to push a start button to get moving.The front wheels are powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with 98kW at 5500rpm and 191Nm on tap at 3750rpm, and there's a choice of six-speed manual or four-speed sequential automatic.The sedan is no firecracker but a drive showed performance is better than expected, and handling, braking and steering are good.It is big on safety features, including smart seatbelts and front, side and curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes.The sedan will be offered in two levels of specification, the Expression and the Privilege, which will be sold only as an automatic.Prices begin at $29,990 for the base manual and stretch to $35,990 for the flagship version.

You are guaranteed that it will always stand out in a crowd.The styling of the Megane is controversial – there are plenty who have been polarised by its J.Lo back end and boxy glasshouse perched on top of the hatchback nose – but it is impossible to miss.For Renault Australia, the Megane is the car with the potential to create a much-needed breakthrough in showrooms.The quality of the work in the car is reflected in its choice as the European Car of the Year in 2003.It is the first all-new car from the French maker since it re-launched in Australia as part of the global Nissan-Renault alliance.Acceptance hasn't been as quick as Renault hoped, but that's been down to cars which didn't have the right mix of quality, value and performance to match the Japanese.The Megane should have the goods and the 'what the . . .' looks will ensure it also gets people talking about Renault.It definitely scores on the safety front, with a five-star NCAP rating and a full complement of airbags including side curtains for head protection.Renault has also brought the cars to Australia with plenty of standard luxury, including electric power steering and airconditioning (automatic on the Dynamique models), electric windows and mirrors, trip computer, six-speaker CD sound and height-and-reach steering adjustment on all cars.It has also included a range of ¿surprise and delight¿ features that will keep people talking: a chilled glovebox, more storage space than you can imagine – including bins in the front floor – and one-touch controls for all four electric windows.The prices aren't great, opening at $25,990 with only a 1.6-litre engine, but most of the Megane action is in the $30,000-something range and that will help it compete.The car also has plenty of impressive French engineering, in everything from the body shape to the suspension layout and seat design and operation. It's a car which always gets you thinking. Sadly, there is not much to talk about in the engine bay.The basic 1.6-litre four has only 83kW of power and even the 2-litre, which has twin-overhead camshafts and variable valve timing, only makes 98.5kW.There is 191Nm of torque, but that's offset by a lacklustre four-speed automatic transmission.On the roadTHE new Megane highlights the best and the less-than-best of European motoring. It has a 'look at me' body with a funky cabin that's going to win plenty of friends, as well as class-leader safety, sumptuous comfort and a superb ride.But it's not as brisk as we'd like, the automatic gearbox is a disappointment, and a price tag close to $38,000 will limit the appeal of a car that's really a trendy four-seater hatchback.You can get the same space in a Hyundai Elantra for less than $19,000, although that's hardly the point.Renault is expecting the Megane to run up against cars such as the Alfa 147, Audi A3, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Golf from Europe, and in that bunch it is much more competitive.Our test time with the Megane included a couple of cars, although we spent more kilometres with the 2-litre Dynamique.For the record, we like the look. It's practical, it provides great visibility and good space in the cabin – apart from a slightly cramped back seat – and you feel good when you walk back to 'your' car standing proud in the car pack.We also enjoyed the cushy seats and classy driving position, all the equipment – including a useful trip computer, cruise control and an outside temperature gauge – and the way the car drives.At first we thought there was too much tugging through the steering, and it can feel quite 'busy' on broken surfaces, but the feel is good and the car has excellent grip and a very neutral handling balance.It also rides the worst roads without upsetting anyone in the cabin, something we have always liked about French suspension systems.The Megane is a car that will happily cover long distances, keeping its passengers happy at the same time.But . . .The engine is nothing special and the automatic is slow to shift and puts the motor in a very noisy band at 100-110km/h cruising speeds.Very few Europeans choose automatics and that always shows when the auto versions get to Australia.The Megane has a touch-change manual mode, but it's never as crisp to shift, or as responsive, as you expect from a 2-litre Japanese car.Still, the car is good and we like it.If you line it up against the VW Golf it makes a lot of sense, even if the German car has a rock-solid reputation, and we can see a lot of Audi and Peugeot buyers being attracted to the new French hero.It fits into the price spread of its European rivals, which will help it win friends, and few dollar-driven Japanese shoppers will see the sense in the Megane.But there is sense in the dollars and, even if it's more costly than a Holden Astra or even the Ford Focus ST170, there are people who will like the drive and be convinced to make the jump to something that's a very individual choice.

Renault Australia is gearing itself for a record year in 2003, with new models and a significant improvement to its top-selling line-up. The brand has given the entry-level version of the Scenic two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive compact people mover a major power boost to maintain momentum in 2003.The 1.6-litre engine in the Scenic Expression has been replaced with a beefier two-litre motor.The Scenic Expression comes to market at $27,990 for the five-speed manual and $29,990 for the automatic version. This is $2112 more than the 1.6-litre version, but Renault says additional equipment as well as increased power more than justifies the price increase.Renault Australia will get the three-door and five-door Megane models - plus a stunning new Megane Cabriolet - in the final quarter of the year.The brand expects the additional volume will help it reach its 2003 target of 5500 vehicles - about 1000 more than last year. Scenic was Renault's best-selling model in 2002, with combined sales of two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models accounting for 1851 of the brand's 4565 sales. The motor now offered in all Scenic vehicles generates 101kW at 5500rpm and a useful torque output of 188Nm at 3750rpm, 90 per cent of which is available between 2500rpm and 5500rpm.In two-wheel-drive models, the engine is available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.Every vehicle in the Scenic range has a total of six airbags, safety belts with pyrotechnic pretensioners and load limiters, close-contact head restraints and an anti-lock braking system with electronic braking distribution and emergency brake assist.All Scenic models come standard with the extremely flexible sliding rear seats - offering a wide variety of seating/carrying combinations. Storage capabilities are enhanced by under-seat drawers, in-floor bins and an adjustable rear parcel shelf. Passenger comfort is maximised by a chilled cold-drink unit in the front centre console.The standard entry-level model comes with airconditioning, remote central locking, electric windows and door mirrors, trip computer, front armrest and an audio system with satellite controls and in-dash CD player.The mid-spec Dynamique gets alloy wheels, climate-control airconditioning, partial leather seat trim, leather steering wheel and gear knob, roof rails and opening rear window.The range-topping Scenic Privilege picks up full leather seat trim and twin sunroofs. 

WE MIGHT be in the middle of winter, but the slightest hint of sunshine is all that's needed to rip the roof off for some top-down driving.  Convertible cars are making a serious comeback and the list of open-air automobiles has never been bigger, or more affordable.The marvellous Mazda MX-5 - and the dead-and-buried locally built Ford Capri - basically re-invented the inexpensive convertible sports car segment, harking back to the glory days of the swinging post-war era where MGs were as trendy as mini-skirts and the Lotus position had nothing to do with yoga.While the latest drop-top sports cars are fun to drive solo, there's one flaw with most: there's only enough space for two people.  If you want to share the "wind-in-your-hair'' experience with more than one, the price tag for a four-seater convertible can be double that of Mazda's little cult car, with the born-again Mustang and the open-top Volvo C70 almost pushing six-figure start-up prices.However, there are a couple of less expensive options with the Peugeot 306 Cabrio and Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, which have room for four, starting under $50,000.  But now there's another choice, with the Renault Megane Cabrio part of the French car maker's recent return to Australia.The Megane Cabrio is the most expensive car in Renault's new four-model line-up, but, at $39,985, it's also the cheapest passenger car-based four-seat convertible on sale in Australia.While Renault isn't pinning its hopes on the Megane Cabrio as the bread winner -- that goes to the Scenic mini people-mover range that shares the Megane's underpinnings -- it admits the drop-top is an important image-building model that needed to be included.  The Megane Cabrio is a convertible version of the coupe that's offered in Europe and which could be added to the Down Under line-up eventually.The two-door body has a unique wedge-shaped design with its rounded nose flowing into a tall, and squared-off bootlid.  The electrically operated roof, which can be colour-coded to the exterior of the car in some models, gives the Megane a coupe-like appearance when it is up. But the car transforms into something else when the roof folds down behind a classy-looking cover with Batman-style flutes that run off the top of the rear seats.The Megane Cabrio is powered by a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine and drives through the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic.  The engine produces 79kW of power at 5750 revs and 148Nm of torque at 3750 revs.Safety-wise, the Megane Cabrio comes standard with anti-skid brakes and dual front and side airbags.  Inside the four-seat cabin are creature comforts including electric windows, air-conditioning, CD sound and sports seats.DrivingA cold and windy week in Melbourne recently wasn't the best time to spend with the Megane Cabrio.  But, even still, there were a couple brief periods where the sun beamed bright enough to drop the roof, turn up the heater and head out for a cruise.First things first, the weird "bum-up'' styling of the Megane isn't going to please everyone.The big, hard-edged nostrils in the front grille don't quite fit with the curvy lines that make up the rest of the car's face, and the bug-eyed, high rear end is certainly something different.Despite not having a windbreaker, there isn't that much turbulence rushing through the cabin while driving with the roof down.  And, the cabin is relatively quiet for a convertible when the fully lined roof is up.The front seats are quite comfortable with good side support, but there's not much room in the back for two adults to travel in comfort.  The angle of the steering wheel makes the driving position a bit awkward, but the dials and controls are all within easy reach and are well-organised on the dashboard.While the engine definitely doesn't belong in a sports car, it feels more powerful than a conventional 1.6-litre powerplant.There's plenty of low-down torque to make driving easy and comfortable, although the five-speed gearbox is a bit vague -- and the gear lever actually wobbles around when the accelerator is either depressed or released.  The suspension and body are quite tight for a convertible that's based on a regular passenger car. Surprisingly, there's little body shake, even when pushed through twisting roads.But there is a fair bit of kick back through the steering wheel if you hit a bump in the middle of a bend.  The ride is well sorted and, while the Megane Cabrio would be no match for an MX-5 in a head-to-head comparison through the Dandenongs, the handling is pretty good for a front-wheel-drive car.Overall, the Megane is a great value-for-money convertible with a European badge and the convenience of four seats.The bottom line3/5Good price, good fun.  While the Megane isn't a sportscar, it's a great-valueconvertible with heaps of Euro-chic.Renault Megane CabrioPrice as tested: $39,985Engine: 1.6-litre four cylinder with double overhead camshafts and fuel injectionPower: 79kW at 5750revsTorque: 148Nm at 3750revsTransmission:Five-speed manual, front-wheel-driveDimensions:Length: 4082mm, Width: 1698mm, Height: 1368mmWheelbase: 2468mmTracks: 1451mm/1432mm front/rearWeight: 1125kgFuel Tank: 60 litresConsumption: 9.7 litres/100kmSteering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinionSuspension: Fully-independent with MacPherson front struts and torsion beam rear end.Brakes: Anti-skid with front ventilated discs and rear drums.Wheels: 6.0x15 alloysTyres: 185/60 R15Warranty: three years/100,000kmRivalsMazda MX-5**** (from $43,485)Peugeot 306 Cabriolet** (from $49,990)VolkswagenGolf Cabriolet*** (from $49,750)Toyota MR2****(from $46,200)

A week behind the wheel of the Renault 19 RT was 100 per cent pleasure - once certain drawbacks were overlooked. Its looks hardly reach the pinnacle of French flair, but they are inoffensive and the Renault badge always raises the interest of a motoring public suffering an overdose of Japanese cars.Compact dimensions limit comfortable seating to four adults, although there are belts for three people in the back. Rear headroom is minimal. Probably the worst aspect is the seating position for the driver with its "Labor" steering wheel - it's left of centre. As a result, I found my left leg interfering with the steering wheel unless I adjusted the wheel height to an uncomfortable position.Big points in favor of the 19 are the supportive front seats with their well-placed side bolsters, and the analogue dials which are classic white-on-black and easy to read. The radio/cassette player is heard through four speakers and can be removed from the car, an old-fashioned anti-theft strategy that has been superseded by security coding. The cavity is hidden from view by an annoying piece of plastic.Remote-control central locking is convenient and includes a button on the dash to lock (or unlock) all doors in an emergency. Front seatbelts have height adjustment for the shoulder straps.Headlights, horn and indicators are operated by the left-hand stalk on the steering column while the right-hand stalk controls the front and rear wash/wipers. Front windows are electrically operated while the external rear-view mirrors are manually adjusted.The 19's performance is hardly going to make you wish you'd bought a G-suit, but you can enjoy your motoring. Power is a modest 68.5kW at 5250rpm and torque peaks at 140Nm at 3000rpm. The 19's compact size helps make a routine trip become enjoyable, moving easily through heavy traffic and slipping around parked cars.When cornering, it turns in so quickly and accurately that it's hard to remember it's a front-drive car. You will have to push extremely hard to defeat the strong grip and impressive handling.Despite its driving credentials, an asking price that gives you just $10 change from $26,000 is a bit steep.Renault 19 RT hatchbackENGINE: Transversely mounted, single-cam 8-valve 1.7-litre with multipoint fuel-injection. Adequate for enjoyable driving.POWER: 68.5kW/5250rpm.TORQUE: 140Nm/3000rpm. Modest output, but the car's secret is its handling.FUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.2 litres/100km average on test. 55-litre tank.SUSPENSION: Independent. Front - MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower wishbones, anti-sway bar; rear - trailing arms, torsion bar axle. Faithful communication between the road and driver through the steering wheel.BRAKES: Ventilated discs/drums. Stopping power retained after repeated hard braking.PRICE: $25,990 (manual sedan or hatch), auto $27,850. Add $1500 for airbag and rear headrests. Expensive when you consider this money will buy you a much bigger Falcon or Commodore.