Renault Megane Coupe (2009 – 2016) Review

September 2008

Megane Coupe launched

10 versions across three trim levels: Expression, Dynamique and Privilège, priced £14,745 to £19,195. High standard equipment levels include: 16 alloy wheels, air conditioning, ESP with ASR (Anti-Skid Regulation) and CSV understeer control, six airbags, electric heated body coloured door mirrors and front electric windows.

Raft of new equipment available: Arkamys 3D sound system, dual zone climate control and leather upholstery. Renaults first CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) debuts on New Mégane. Six engines at launch: three petrol - 1.6 VVT 110, 2.0 140 CVT and 2.0 TCe 180, three diesel -1.5 dCi 86, 1.5 dCi 106 and 1.9 dCi 130. More developments to follow in 2009. New Mégane Coupé available to order from early November 2008, launching late January 2009.

4,925mm long x 1,808mm wide (2,037mm with mirrors) x 1,423mm high.

In addition to the cars five proper seats, sports chassis with firmer suspension and a 12mm lower ride height compared with the Hatch, the Coupés generous core features include air conditioning, six airbags, electric heated body coloured door mirrors, front electric windows and emergency spare wheel.

The entry-level Expression offers: 16 Sport alloy wheels, 4x15W RDS radio CD, Brake Assist, front fog lights, height adjustable drivers seat, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, Keyless car with Renault card and trip computer.

The mid-range Dynamique, which is also likely to account for the bulk of Coupé sales, benefits from: 17 alloy wheels (2.0 TCe 180 only), 4x15W RDS radio CD with Bluetooth and MP3 connection, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, Hands free Renault card, height adjustable passenger seat, leather steering wheel, speed limiter and extra tinted rear side windows.

As the sportier model in the New Mégane range, the Coupé does without the 1.6 100 engine seen on the five-door, but gains Renaults first CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) with the 2.0 140 petrol engine.

All five diesel versions of the Coupé fulfil Renaults eco² criteria. Six-speed manual gearboxes are standard across the range with the exception of the 1.5 dCi 86 which is five-speed, and naturally the CVT. Rounding off the Coupé range is Privilège, offering: 16 Spirale alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, electrically operated folding door mirrors, electrochome rear view mirror, rear armrest with storage and rear parking sensors.

As well as its plentiful equipment list, the New Mégane Coupé range is available with a wide range of options:

£840 Arkamys 3D Sound 4x30W RDS radio CD with Bluetooth and multi-functional TunePoint (for USB keys and portable music players)
£400 Dual zone climate control (Dynamique in lieu of air conditioning)
£200 Heated front seats
£300 Heated and electric front seats
£600 Fixed sunroof
£900 Leather upholstery (beige or carbon depending on version)
£375 Metallic paint
£300 Rear parking sensors
£1,600 Satellite navigation full colour 2D screen with 3D sound 4x30W RDS radio CD with Bluetooth

March 2010

Megane GT and GT Line unveiled

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

December 2010

Simplified range for all Renault models

January 2011

Megane facelifted for 2012

For 2012, Mégane 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.

Mégane 2012 is the first Renault model to be available with the three new Stop & Start engines which combine both motoring enjoyment and fuel efficiency. They are the fruit of new-generation downsizing and call on Renault’s experience in F1 to form unprecedented technology packages for this level of range, including Stop & Start complete with deceleration/braking energy recovery. Thanks to their carefully-tuned acoustics, these engines produce a discreet, cushioned sound, with noise levels halved compared with the engines they replace.

Renault TCe 115 Stop & Start – the return of petrol engines. The TCe 115 is the first Renault petrol engine to feature direct fuel injection and turbocharging for fuel-efficient performance. This new 1,198cc block is poised to replace the 1.6 16V and boasts both extra power (up 5hp to 115hp) and peak torque up 40Nm to 190Nm, with 90 per cent of this figure available from 1,650rpm. Versions of Mégane 2012 powered by this engine consume just 53.3 mpg (combined cycle), a record for a petrol car in this class. CO2 emissions are down to 119g/km.

A new diesel dCi 110 Stop & Start. The Mégane range’s best-selling 1.5 dCi engine has undergone a significant metamorphosis with the introduction of technology first introduced in 2011 on the 1.6 dCi 130, not to mention record low fuel consumption which has been improved by 15 per cent to 80.7 mpg. This is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 90g/km and makes Mégane one of its segment’s top three models in terms of energy efficiency. There has been no corresponding fall-off in performance, however, since peak torque is up 20Nm to 260Nm, which is available from as low as 1,750rpm.

Renault's dCi 130 Stop & Start. This 1.6-litre diesel engine delivers 130 horsepower and 320Nm of torque, making it one of the market’s most powerful powerplants for its size. It is also a pleasure to drive thanks to crisp acceleration performance from as low as 1,750rpm. Under the bonnet of Mégane, it returns combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 70.6 mpg, which is a 20 per cent saving compared to the former 1.9 dCi 130 engine. CO2 emissions stand at 104g/km.

February 2011

Monaco GP special edition launched

The Monaco GP limited edition models are big on personality. On Mégane Coupé, the front end with its sleek headlights and large air intake give it a dynamic stance, enhances by its broad haunches. Its imposing design is accentuated in this limited edition through pearlescent Arctic White paint, together with gloss black body components - door mirrors, rear diffuser and foglight surrounds, black headlight masks and "Monaco GP" badging.

Two engines are on offer with the latest addition to the Mégane family. The 1.9 dCi 130 uses the best in dCi combustion and turbo technology and emits just 135g/km of CO2, while the TCe 130 benefits from the latest advances in downsizing, enabling a 1.4-litre powerplant to boast the torque of a two-litre and the power of a 1.8-litre.

January 2012

The 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 Mégane 2012 line-up consists of Expression+, Dynamique TomTom and GT Line TomTom. The entry-level gains 16” 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.

On Coupé-Cabriolet, the main range remains unchanged, but welcomes a striking ivory coloured new special edition Floride drop-top with two-tone red and ivory leather upholstery, harking back to the original model of the same name from the 1960s, priced at £24,375.

July 2013

Limited edition Renault Mégane 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. 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.

September 2013

Renault Megane range restyled for 2014 model year 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 1.6 dCi diesel engine announced.

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

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

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.