Renault Megane (2008 – 2016) Review

September 2007

New Megane unveiled

The dCi 85 and dCi 105 engines have been joined by the dCi 90 and the particulate filter-equipped dCi 110. Every one of these engines emits less than 120g of CO2/km, while the new dCi 130 profits from the dCi range's most advanced technology in terms of combustion and turbocharging to return CO2 emissions of just 135g/km.

Depending on market, the petrol range will comprise the 1.6 16V 100hp and 110hp engines, as well as the 2.0 16V 140hp and the TCe 180. The 2.0 16V 140 will be available from launch with a six-speed manual gearbox, while continuously variable transmission will be introduced with this powerplant at a later date. Renault's latest petrol engine, the TCe 130 will be added to the catalogue in the spring of 2009.

April 2009

New entry-level Megane Hatch Extreme launches

Has 1.6 100 petrol and 1.5 dCi 86, costing £13,250 and £14,950 respectively - £900 less than Expression. Core equipment includes: 4x15W radio RDS CD MP3, air-conditioning, ESP and front electric windows. Available to order in May 2009 and in showrooms in June 2009.

May 2010

Megane GT and GT Line launched

These bring distinctive styling and genuine driving pleasure within reach of as many motorists as possible and also bridge the gap between mainstream Mégane and the all-out performance of Mégane Renaultsport 250

GT Line is an option pack available on Mégane Dynamique versions. They feature a specific chassis and are powered by the Mégane’s core-range of economical and ecological engines. GT is available with the 2.0 TCe 180 and 2.0 dCi 160 powerplants and combines sporty exterior and interior details with a specially-tuned chassis which takes its inspiration from Mégane Renaultsport 250

July 2010

Cut price Megane 'Generation' model launched

Priced from £10,995. Five-door Hatch available to order from July 2010, replacing the outgoing Extreme trim level, in either 1.6 100 petrol or 1.5 dCi 90 FAP diesel guise. Both drive through five-speed manual gearboxes.

Generation 1.6 100 available for a limited time to retail cash buyers at £10,995 on-the-road, a full £3,000 less than the recommended retail price. Outside of the offer, at £13,995 and £15,755 respectively, both models are still £860 cheaper than their predecessors. Among their core features are 4x15W radio CD with fingertip remote controls and aux input, air conditioning, cruise control, electric door mirrors and front windows, ESC, hands free keycard and speed limiter.

January 2012

Megane facelifted for 2012

It has undergone a number of small styling changes to freshen up the model’s original lines. The front end has a more modern feel, while LED daytime running lights provide a distinctive new lighting signature. The bumper features a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, and the selection of wheels has been entirely revised. The sum of these modifications mirrors the attention that has been paid to quality, an area which Renault sees as a priority.

Meanwhile, the cabin comes with new interior trims, including a two-tone leather pack available in a choice of two finishes in the UK. The personality of the specific GT-Line finishes has also been enhanced inside and out thanks to specific ‘boomerang’-shaped LED lights, visible red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, plus Renault Sport-badged door sill guards and dashboard trim strip, serving as a reminder that it belongs to the Renaultsport family. Last but not least, the list of body colours available for Mégane 2012 has been extended with the addition of Azzurro Blue and Arctic White.

January 2012

2012 Megane range benefits from Renault’s latest three new downsized engines, 1.2 TCe 115, 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start and 1.6 dCi 130 Stop & Start, all with impressive fuel economy and emissions figures, not to the detriment of performance and responsiveness. The dCi 110 110hp Stop & Start’ emits class-leading 90g/km of CO2 and 80.7 mpg on the combined cycle.

The Megane 2012 line-up consists of Expression+, Dynamique TomTom and GT Line TomTom. The entry-level gains 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded radio with USB connectivity and Bluetooth and leather steering wheel, plus cruise control. Dynamique TomTom adds LEDs, plus 17” alloy wheels as a no-cost option, while the halo model GT Line TomTom features Arkamys 3D Sound audio system, auto parking brake and rear parking camera with rear parking sensors.

July 2013

Renault Megane Knight Edition launched

Prices start from £17,095, just £350 more than Mégane Expression+ despite extras, including sporty chrome wheels, GT style bumpers, electrically folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors.

Knight Edition comes with a 1.6 16V petrol or low emission dCi 110 Stop & Start diesel engine. Special release available as Hatch, Coupé and Sport Tourer. Has GT style bodykit and numerous extras, including 16" dark chrome 'Eptius' alloy wheels, rear privacy glass dark chrome rear diffuser, dark chrome exterior detail styling, electrically folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors. Also has Stop & Start and regenerative braking.

1.6 16V petrol or 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start diesel engine, which cuts CO2 emissions to just 90 g/km and qualifies for zero Road Tax. Available in Glacier White as standard, but is also available in Ruby Red, Malta Blue and Arctic White, Diamond Black metallic paints.

On the road prices for the Mégane Knight Edition Hatch start at £17,095, the Coupé at £17,595, while the Sport Tourer kicks off at just £17,895. All models qualify for Renault’s 4+ package: four-year warranty, four-year free servicing, four-year AA roadside cover and four-year finance.

The efficient and economical dCi 110 Stop & Start is the best-selling of all the Renault engines. It produces more torque (now 260 NM (+20NM), has lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel consumption (80.7mpg). This is all achieved by utilising the very latest engine technology – much of which comes from Renault's Formula 1 experience and expertise, and is unprecedented at this level.

September 2013

Renault Megane range restyled for 2014

Sharing the current Renault 'family' look, on sale in the UK from March 2014. The changes ensure greater unity between the front ends of Mégane Hatchback, Sport Tourer and Coupé which feature the same bumper and bonnet, although each version maintains its own distinctive identity. They are also equipped with new elliptical headlights.

The new styling identity has been carried over to the line-up’s sporting models, too. Mégane Renaultsport and GT Line both boast an even more dynamic stance and a new front-end design, as well as new headlights with gloss black backgrounds.

December 2013

Facelifted Mégane available to order from 2nd December 2013, priced from £16,745. The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet range is unaffected by the changes.

February 2014

New twin turbo 160PS/380Nm torque version of Renault's state of the art 1.6 dCi diesel engine announced. This 1,598cc chain cam engine delivers 160PS and a generous 380Nm of torque. This important breakthrough combines with fuel consumption andCO2emissions savings of 25%.

June 2014

'Limited' series of specials announced with panoramic sunroof, extra tinted windows and tailgate. Around £1,000 worth of extra equipment, for half the £500 extra price, when compared to the already well-equipped Dynamique TomTom varieties on which they are based.

Equipment included rear parking sensors, special ‘LIMITED’ upholstery, badging and kickplates, and electrically operated and folding door mirrors in gloss black.

'Limited' is available on the Mégane range of Hatch, Sport Tourer and Coupé models, and Scénic range, apart from XMOD.

Choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, 1.6 VVT 110, 1.2 ENERGY TCe 115 and ENERGY TCe 130 (Scenic only), or the dCi 110 and ENERGY 1.6 dCi 130.

Prices for Mégane Limited start at £18,250 on the road, with Scénic Limited from £19,865. Ordering is open now, with first deliveries in September.

Optional extras for the Limited include 17-inch ‘Pragma’ alloy wheels for £310 and R-Link (Scenic £200, £300 on Megane with upgraded Western European mapping).

The after sales package offers a four year/100,000 miles warranty and roadside assistance.

February 2015

Renault Megane 220GT Sport Tourer announced, along with 220GT versions of the 5-door hatch and 3-door coupe.

Based on the Megane GT Line TomTom, they are powered by a 220hp version of the Renaultsport 2.0-litre turbo engine and featuring a Renaultsport-engineered chassis and 18-inch ‘Serdard’ alloy wheels fitted with 225/40R18 Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tyre plus stiffer springs and dampers and larger front brake discs from Renaultsport.

The 2.0-litre 16-valve turbocharged engine develops its 220hp at 4,750 rpm and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. With 340Nm torque at 2,400 rpm at the driver’s disposal, the GT 220 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 149 mph. Yet with Renault’s Stop & Start technology as standard, the GT 220 is also economical and efficient, returning 38.7 mpg on the combined test cycle, with CO 2 emissions of 169 g/km. (All these figures are worse than the 280PS SEAT Leaon ST Cupra.)

The Renaultsport-tuned chassis on the GT 220 includes specific front and rear dampers that use the calibration and valving based on those used on Mégane Renaultsport and the same rear bump stops. The steering calibration differs to that of the mainstream Mégane to take into account the GT 220 versions' specific tyres and chassis settings.

Braking performance is provided by ventilated 320 mm front discs (up from 280 mm on GT Line) and 260 mm solid rear brake discs together with firmer, more progressive servo-assistance thanks to the fitment of the Mégane Renaultsport’s master cylinder.The GT 220 also features Renault’s Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR) and Understeer Logic Control (UCL) advanced driver aid systems, plus ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD emergency brake assist.

Appearance, specification and colour choices for the GT 220 mirror what is available with the GT Line models, including the option of bespoke Malta Blue paintwork with anthracite grey and polished detailing. The door mirror housings are in dark chrome shell. At the front there is a special GT bumper design, with a reshaped central air intake and an integral gloss black cross bar that carries the number plate. At the rear, the bumper has a lower section finished in body colour, which incorporates an anthracite-coloured aerodynamic diffuser. In the cabin the Renaultsport influence is evident in the sports seats and upholstery, the thick leather-rimmed steering wheel with thumb indents and stitching detail, the analogue dials and aluminium pedals. The interior door handle pulls, outer air vent surrounds and the dashboard have a polished carbon finish.

Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, cruise control, speed limiter, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, LED daytime running lights, fully integrated Renault R-Link satellite navigation, Bluetooth, a USB connection, a rear parking camera and an uprated Arkamys 3D sound system.

The options list offers scope for personalisation, including the advanced Visio System by Renault (lane departure warning and automatic main/dipped beam headlights operation) and the Leather Pack of carbon grey heated leather seats.

The GT 220, like every Renault, provides the peace of mind of the 4+ warranty and assistance package. The car is protected with a four year or 100,000 miles warranty (first two years unlimited mileage). In the event of a breakdown, Renault provides emergency roadside repairs or towing to the nearest dealer 24/7 every day of the year, plus three years’ European cover. There is also a three-year paint warranty and 12 years’ cover against corrosion.

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

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OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

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PRICING – ON-THE-ROAD

March 2015

2014 Renault Megane hatchback (ressessed) 4-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating under 2014 system: 83% adult occupant protection; 78% child occupant protection; 60% pedestrian protection; 56% safety assist.

April 2015

Haynes manual now available. Renault Megane (Oct '08-'14) 58 to 64. £22.99. Covers Megane Hatchback, Sport Tourer (Estate) & Coupe. Does NOT cover Renaultsport versions or features specific to Coupe-Cabriolet. Petrol: 1.6 litre (1598cc). Does NOT cover 1.2, 1.4 or 2.0 litre petrol engines. Diesel: 1.5 litre (1461cc). Does NOT cover 1.6, 1.9 or 2.0 litre diesel engines. HAYNES.

June 2017

Owners of EU6a Renault Megane 1.5dCIs are being offered a free software upgrade to EU6b to "reduce Nitrogen Oxide emissions under real life driving conditions".