Yes, before we hit the road in it, let’s divert briefly into the fantasy world of concept cars. It splits half way down enabling decent forward visibility while maintaining structural strength. There’s a clever touch on the A-pillar too. But without the bug-eyed headlamps, that large grille, cleverly contoured bonnet and recessed badge are infinitely more stylish. The front too is clearly related to the latest Laguna and Twingo. And there’s surely a hint of Alfa Romeo Brera in that pointy behind? Following the awkward angles of the Megane 2, the rounded haunches of this car are a bit of a relief, although it’s still eye-catching with rear lights recessed into the haunches under the shoulder. But on closer inspection the Coupe Concept’s rear is a progressive – if slightly toned down ‑ development of the current Megane. It looks different to the current Megane…Īt first sight Renault seems to have totally abandoned the ‘bustle’ from today’s model. Although Renault is hoping it’ll tempt buyers away from the new VW Scirocco, in reality the Megane Coupe will be a slinky and sporty looking three door in the vein of Vauxhall’s Astra Sport Hatch. But this showcases the range-topping coupe. There will be an entire range of family cars including a hatch, estate and Scenic people carrier. It gives an idea of what the current Megane’s successor will look like when a production version is unveiled at September’s Paris Motor Show. Where does the Coupe Concept fit into that plan? But that could be about to change as Renault reveals a replacement this autumn. The rumoured Renaultsport version should be well worth waiting for.Even Renault people admit the current Megane is something of a Marmite car: you either love it or hate it.
#MEGANE COUPE BLUETOOTH#
Prices start at £14,745, while this 2.0 TCe Dynamique costs £18,145 and comes with a fine specification, including sat-nav, Bluetooth and a high-end sound system. It’ll need a back-to-back drive to be sure, but we’d guess the VW Scirocco, the Coupe’s chief rival, is the better drive.
This is a hugely capable car, no question, but just not huge fun. Lift off mid-corner and the line will tighten a smidgen, but there’s little in the way of throttle adjustability. When it weights up at speed, it does so in a way that feels natural, and there’s a pleasingly balanced feel to the chassis at high speed. In tighter turns the steering feeds back a useful amount of information about grip levels and surface conditions. The first thing you notice on high-speed sweepers is just how accurate and precise the steering is, with no need to constantly adjust through the corner. The company has also done a fair bit of work to sharpen up the new car’s electric power steering – a variable-assistance set-up, light at parking speeds and weightier as you go faster. But Renault claims that this new Mégane is a more sporting drive than the car it replaces (compared with its five-door sibling, the Coupe sits some 12mm lower and has uprated spring and damper rates). The ride is good, too, with fine small-bump absorption and good body control over fast dips and crests. It’s a great motorway cruiser, with relatively high gearing – 27mph per 1000rpm in top. There’s just none of the urge you’d expect as the turbo spools up, and once the power peaks at 5500rpm, thrust tails off in an almost diesel-like fashion. At 1320kg, it’s no lightweight, but it’s the way the power is delivered that disappoints. Unfortunately it feels slower than the figures suggest. We tried the 178bhp petrol turbo, for which Renault claims a 0-62mph time of 7.8sec and a top speed of 142mph.
The seats are well bolstered and comfortable, though you wouldn’t want to be stuck in the back for a long journey.īut what you really want to know is how it drives. The interior is similarly appealing, with soft-touch surfaces and first-rate fit and finish (not something you could always say of previous Méganes). The Alfa Romeo-esque Coupe has an elegant profile and great road presence, from its deeply sculpted bonnet to its muscular rear haunches. With the new Mégane Coupe, Renault has ditched the challenging bustle-back look of the old three-door Mégane and opted for something more conventionally stylish.
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