2009 Renault Megane Sedan 1.6 (A) Review
17 Feb 2009|41,380 views
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On the outside, la 2009 boasts a rear spoiler, chromed grill inserts encompassing the front fog lamps in teardrop-like style and chromed side mirrors. But the Renault Megane is French. The French are somewhat dissimilar.
While the exterior possibly intermingles with the society average, a few unconventional places have been chiselled and ironed into shape, such as the front windshield. It's questionable, but that little bit of colour can't be ignored in this subdivision.
There's no key. In its place, a credit card-sized err, card which you introduce into a slot below the start button, which was also smack behind a 500 ml bottle, cradled in its holder.
And so, after we were done fiddling around, we took to heart the car's greyish, charcoal-like interior. Come what may, it seemed more sparkling than sombre, or dull.
Creature comforts? There's an integrated iPod and MP3 connector, Bluetooth, fingertip-operated audio controls mounted below the automatic wiper operation stalk, a trip computer, cruise control and a speed limiter.
Seat space was plentiful, not to mention homely. The rears did a 60/40 fold-show for palatable luggage space spanning tailgate to cabin. Embellishments and amplifications of fact aside, the name "Toyota Camry" springs to mind. Other storage companions like the under-floor boxes, chiller glove compartment and rear shelf make good with your loose ends.
Impressions
In rather un-French fashion, its driving position was high and upright; more than in a Corolla. The tilt-reach steering didn't have much leeway for a broader range of adjustments, but it did admirably well on asphalt.
The steering was absolutely spot-on; light enough for car parks, not overly twitchy without variable assistance. It was a little tight when negotiating those three pointers, but bonus points were gained for all-round visibility.
 |
The Megane's suspension is simplicity at its prime. Well-tuned MacPherson type struts in front and a torsion beam in the rear aim to baffle. You would never guess. The overall setup is so compliant and comfortable, mid-corner rebound characteristics have been tamed beautifully so as to compliment its chassis.
The only time one fully "appreciates" the fixed rear-end will be when the laws of grip are disobeyed. There's going to be lots of frontal push, followed by intervention of the vehicle dynamics control so as to avoid any discrepancies with lamp-poles.
Consider that the extra stability might have to do with the car's 1250 kilogramme weight. The obvious trade-off was its acceleration, or rather, the lack of it. It wasn't that great with the Megane's 1.6-litre inline four. Things don't move until 4000 rpm, where it does better. And then, a repugnant second gear dampens the fun, where in that ratio the four-speeder abruptly slows the car down in between 2,800-3,000 rpm.
The car's power output of 110 bhp developed at 6000 rpm could certainly use a boost, and we can't say that its 151 Nm of torque that maxes out at 4250 rpm helps things along either. But once it's up to speed, things aren't half as bad - refinement levels are great, almost three-quarters that of the severely underrated Laguna. You could spend your days cruising around in one of these, endlessly, and on a budget.
What do you get for the money?
Electronic stability control, traction control, ABS with brake force distribution and emergency brake assist and additional side intrusion protection in the form of intrusion bars and honey-combed padding in the doors - they're all standard.
It has six full-sized airbags, an impressive number because unlike most small-sized cars to come from the Pacific, these bags are actually big enough to not kill you, god forbid. As a finishing touch, you'll also receive your car complete with Renault's Anti-Intruder Device system (RAID) which works by automatically locking the doors when you drive away.
But alas, there are hordes of "Kiasi" (colloquial Chinese term for fearing death, or bluntly put, "scared die") Singaporeans and the proverbial "Corolla" mentality. So despite the blatantly obvious location of the Toyota showroom in relation to that of Renault's (they're opposite each other), would more flock to the Megane's turf instead?
Honestly, even if the entry-level manual broke the glass at $49,999 without the bells and whistles, would the mass-buying crowd dare to take an unconventional plunge?
They'd be fools not to. Consider Renault's newfound reliability and confidence programmes under the Carlos Ghosn regime. So, what do you think?
And yes, the said basic manual variant is retailing for $49,999. For now, that is™
|
On the outside, la 2009 boasts a rear spoiler, chromed grill inserts encompassing the front fog lamps in teardrop-like style and chromed side mirrors. But the Renault Megane is French. The French are somewhat dissimilar.
While the exterior possibly intermingles with the society average, a few unconventional places have been chiselled and ironed into shape, such as the front windshield. It's questionable, but that little bit of colour can't be ignored in this subdivision.
There's no key. In its place, a credit card-sized err, card which you introduce into a slot below the start button, which was also smack behind a 500 ml bottle, cradled in its holder.
And so, after we were done fiddling around, we took to heart the car's greyish, charcoal-like interior. Come what may, it seemed more sparkling than sombre, or dull.
Creature comforts? There's an integrated iPod and MP3 connector, Bluetooth, fingertip-operated audio controls mounted below the automatic wiper operation stalk, a trip computer, cruise control and a speed limiter.
Seat space was plentiful, not to mention homely. The rears did a 60/40 fold-show for palatable luggage space spanning tailgate to cabin. Embellishments and amplifications of fact aside, the name "Toyota Camry" springs to mind. Other storage companions like the under-floor boxes, chiller glove compartment and rear shelf make good with your loose ends.
Impressions
In rather un-French fashion, its driving position was high and upright; more than in a Corolla. The tilt-reach steering didn't have much leeway for a broader range of adjustments, but it did admirably well on asphalt.
The steering was absolutely spot-on; light enough for car parks, not overly twitchy without variable assistance. It was a little tight when negotiating those three pointers, but bonus points were gained for all-round visibility.
|
The Megane's suspension is simplicity at its prime. Well-tuned MacPherson type struts in front and a torsion beam in the rear aim to baffle. You would never guess. The overall setup is so compliant and comfortable, mid-corner rebound characteristics have been tamed beautifully so as to compliment its chassis.
The only time one fully "appreciates" the fixed rear-end will be when the laws of grip are disobeyed. There's going to be lots of frontal push, followed by intervention of the vehicle dynamics control so as to avoid any discrepancies with lamp-poles.
Consider that the extra stability might have to do with the car's 1250 kilogramme weight. The obvious trade-off was its acceleration, or rather, the lack of it. It wasn't that great with the Megane's 1.6-litre inline four. Things don't move until 4000 rpm, where it does better. And then, a repugnant second gear dampens the fun, where in that ratio the four-speeder abruptly slows the car down in between 2,800-3,000 rpm.
The car's power output of 110 bhp developed at 6000 rpm could certainly use a boost, and we can't say that its 151 Nm of torque that maxes out at 4250 rpm helps things along either. But once it's up to speed, things aren't half as bad - refinement levels are great, almost three-quarters that of the severely underrated Laguna. You could spend your days cruising around in one of these, endlessly, and on a budget.
What do you get for the money?
Electronic stability control, traction control, ABS with brake force distribution and emergency brake assist and additional side intrusion protection in the form of intrusion bars and honey-combed padding in the doors - they're all standard.
It has six full-sized airbags, an impressive number because unlike most small-sized cars to come from the Pacific, these bags are actually big enough to not kill you, god forbid. As a finishing touch, you'll also receive your car complete with Renault's Anti-Intruder Device system (RAID) which works by automatically locking the doors when you drive away.
But alas, there are hordes of "Kiasi" (colloquial Chinese term for fearing death, or bluntly put, "scared die") Singaporeans and the proverbial "Corolla" mentality. So despite the blatantly obvious location of the Toyota showroom in relation to that of Renault's (they're opposite each other), would more flock to the Megane's turf instead?
Honestly, even if the entry-level manual broke the glass at $49,999 without the bells and whistles, would the mass-buying crowd dare to take an unconventional plunge?
They'd be fools not to. Consider Renault's newfound reliability and confidence programmes under the Carlos Ghosn regime. So, what do you think?
And yes, the said basic manual variant is retailing for $49,999. For now, that is™
Car Information
Renault Megane Sedan 1.6 (A)
CAT A|Petrol|12.9km/L
Horsepower
82kW (110 bhp)
Torque
151 Nm
Acceleration
13.1sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Renault Megane Sedan
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