Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2010 – 2016) Review

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2010 – 2016) At A Glance

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2010 – 2016) handling and engines

• Engines range from 1.2 Tce to 2.0 TCe
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–61 mpg

There's a decent choice of engines in the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet line-up which are shared with the Megane hatchback and Megane Coupe. The entry-level engine is a 1.4 TCe but don't be out off by its small size, as this engine is fitted with a turbocharger to boost power and delivers a very healthy 130PS. There is also a 2.0-litre petrol that comes with an automatic CVT gearbox, providing seamless changes. But the quickest engine is the 2.0 TCe which produces 180bhp and 300Nm of torque allowing it to sprint from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. Like the top dCi 160 this only comes in the sportier GT trim.

If you're looking to keep running costs down then one of the diesels is a better choice. The most frugal is the 1.5 dCi with 110PS that comes with Renault's newer EDC (which stands for Efficient Dual Clutch in case you're wondering) automatic gearbox as standard. This is a double clutch gearbox similar to Volkswagen's DSG that's designed to deliver slick and super-fast gear shifts. But the real benefits come in terms of efficiency with CO2 emissions of 130g/km and impressive average economy of 56.5mpg.

The 1.9 dCi with 130PS is a popular choice in the Renault range and offers a good blend of performance and economy with 48.7mpg. It's a little noisy, particularly when you first start it up, but it quietens down on the move and provides plenty of mid-range acceleration.

But the most impressive engine in the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet range is the 2.0 dCi. This boasts 160PS along with 380Nm of torque so it's effortless when pulling from low revs and feels considerably more refined than the 1.9 dCi. Its 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds is only half the story as this engine feels very sprightly on the move and works exceptionally well with the slick and positive six-speed manual gearbox. Our only reservations are over economy. The dCi 160 averages a rather lacklustre 42.1mpg while CO2 emissions of 175g/km seem high compared to diesel engines with a similar power from other manufacturers.

On the move the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet is comfortable if a little uninspiring to drive. It doesn't really grab the attention, but handles reassuringly with precise, well-weighted steering and an impressively forgiving ride. It is a touch soft in corners and could do with more grip from the front tyres, but this isn't really a car for racing through tight bends - more a relaxed and enjoyable cruiser.

Dropping the roof doesn't have a detrimental effect on the handling and there are certainly no vibrations through the cabin when you drive over rough roads or speed bumps. It feels very strong yet still supple enough to provide a smooth ride. It's also a good motorway car, especially if you choose one of the relaxed diesel engines. However, at higher speeds with the roof up, there can be some wind noise around the top and back of the roof, but it's not overly intrusive.

The sporty GT models get a range of changes including some key improvements to the handling. The chassis gets upgraded with help from Renaultsport (and is based on the sport chassis on the Megane Coupe), the steering is more direct plus it gets uprated brakes and tyres to give it much more focus in corners.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.2 Tce	44 mpg	11.0 s	145 g/km
1.2 TCe	44 mpg	11.0 s	145 g/km
1.4 TCe	39 mpg	10.7 s	169 g/km
1.5 dCi	59–63 mpg	12.4–13.2 s	115–124 g/km
1.5 dCi EDC	59 mpg	13.2 s	124 g/km
1.6	37 mpg	12.2 s	175 g/km
1.6 dCi	64 mpg	10.8 s	115 g/km
1.9 dCi	64 mpg	10.8 s	115 g/km
2.0 CVT	35 mpg	11.7 s	184 g/km
2.0 dCi	42 mpg	9.4 s	175 g/km
2.0 TCe	35 mpg	8.6 s	188 g/km

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2010 – 2016) interior

• Boot space is 211–417 litres

Dimensions
Length	4485 mm
Width	1811–2072 mm
Height	1434 mm
Wheelbase	2609 mm
Full specifications

If you're expecting a big departure from the standard Megane hatchback then you may be disappointed. The cabin doesn't feel particularly special considering this is a stylish convertible car but on the plus side, the quality and finish are impeccable and the use of soft touch materials along with some neat controls, including the air conditioning switches, give it a premium feel. The engine stop/start button and keyless start are also classy features.

But the real talking point of the Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet is of course its folding roof. It's actually made up of two glass panels rather than one piece of solid metal, which means that even when the roof is up, it feels light in the cabin. The glass is tinted to stop the inside getting too hot in the summer plus there's a retractable sunblind that slides forward, although it's not fitted to runners so feels a little flimsy.

However, dropping the fully electric roof is a doddle. There are no catches or handles to release, it simply requires the push of a button on the centre console - although unlike some other convertibles, you do need to be pretty much stationary for it to operate. It drops down in 21 seconds, which is one of the fastest times for a coupe-convertible like this, folding away neatly under the boot cover to leave a stylish looking drop top. One useful feature is that you can lower or raise all four windows together with just one button.

With the roof down (and all four windows up) it's fairly serene and quiet - even at higher speeds. This is helped by a fixed glass wind deflector which sits just behind the rear headrests to reduce turbulence and wind noise. There is also an optional mesh wind deflector screen that can be clipped into place over the back seats and really helps to reduced wind buffeting to a minimum. It does mean that the rear seats can't be used by passengers, but that's unlikely to be too much of a problem as rear legroom is very limited and they're not really suitable for adults, especially with a moderately tall driver or front passenger.

The driving position is good although rear visibility isn't great with the roof up and it's tricky to gauge where the boot ends (although rear parking sensors are standard on the GT). There are other gripes too, such as the rather fiddly stereo and sat nav system - the latter of which is fitted as standard in the Dynamique TomTom model but confusingly not in the GT trim. Neither is very user-friendly or intuitive, while the controls for the sat nav are situated down behind the gear lever so it's not always easy to keep your eyes on the road if you decided to make changes.

The boot is a good size though and genuinely useable - even when the roof is down. There's an impressive 417 litres of space with the roof up and although this is cut to 211 litres when it's folded down, the low sill height means it's easy to get larger cases or boxes in and out without having to raise the roof back into place.

Equipment from launch (July 2010):

Dynamique TomTom has 17-inch alloy wheels, a CD stereo with in auxiliary input, Bluetooth, air conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, a fixed glass wind deflector, hands free keycard, panoramic glass folding roof and a fully integrated Carminat TomTom satellite navigation system. A GT Line pack is available as an optional extra and includes unique 17-inch alloys, electrically folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors plus front and rear sport bumpers.

GT adds interior and exterior styling upgrades including a unique front bumper, a rear bumper with an aerodynamic diffuser, dark chrome surround for the windscreen frame with matching door mirrors, front fog lights, 18-inch alloys, aluminium pedals, an analogue rev counter, sports seats, rear parking sensors and electrically folding door mirrors.

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2010 – 2016) models and specs

On sale until April 2015

Convertible
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique TomTom 1.2 TCe 130 Stop & Start 2dr	£23,800	44.1 mpg	11.0 s
Dynamique TomTom 1.5 dCi 110 EDC Auto 2dr	£25,545	58.9 mpg	13.2 s
Dynamique TomTom 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start 2dr	£24,545	62.8 mpg	12.4 s
Dynamique TomTom 1.6 dCi 130 Stop & Start 2dr	£25,045	64.2 mpg	10.8 s
GT Line TomTom 1.2 TCe 130 Stop & Start 2dr	£25,300	44.1 mpg	11.0 s
GT Line TomTom 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start 2dr	£27,045	58.9 mpg	13.2 s
GT Line TomTom 1.6 dCi 130 Stop & Start 2dr	£26,545	64.2 mpg	10.8 s

On sale until June 2013

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique TomTom 1.4 TCe 130 2dr	£22,955	38.7 mpg	10.7 s
GT Line TomTom 1.4 TCe 130 2dr	£24,655	38.7 mpg	10.7 s

On sale until January 2013

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique TomTom 1.6 110 2dr	£20,810	37.2 mpg	12.2 s
GT Line TomTom dCi 130 2dr	£24,205	64.2 mpg	10.8 s
GT Line TomTom dCi 160 2dr	£25,410	42.2 mpg	9.4 s

On sale until September 2012

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Floride 1.4 TCe 130 2dr	£24,385	38.7 mpg	10.7 s

On sale until April 2012

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique TomTom 2.0 CVT 140 5dr 2dr Auto	£22,785	35.3 mpg	11.7 s
Dynamique TomTom 1.4 TCe 130 2dr	£21,385	38.7 mpg	10.7 s
GT Line TomTom TCe 180 2dr	£24,715	34.9 mpg	8.6 s

On sale until November 2010

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
GT dCi 160 FAP 2dr	£26,330	42.2 mpg	9.4 s
GT TCe 180 2dr	£25,380	34.9 mpg	8.6 s