Known for its hot hatches such as the Megane F1 Team R26 and the latest sport generation Renault Megane RS, the French has always intrigued the automotive world with its acquired taste for designs and of late, practical yet sleek styling.
Since the launch of the first Megane Cabriolet in 1997, the French automaker has been gaining significant production expertise to realise a head-turner for the Megane family. And the latest Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet doesn't disappoint.
According to Renault, this new sexy back "is an open invitation to enjoy open-top motoring, and is an elegant illustration of Renault's new brand signature, 'Drive the Change'." But is that really the case?
Exterior
Beauty is, no doubt, in the eyes of the beholder, but oh my does the sweeping lines on the bonnet make up for the styling of its predecessors. It is, of course, by no means an insult to the French, given the fact that the first word that came to my mind when I laid eyes on her was "alluring". We reckon it's the swept back headlights that give the car the provocative look. The fascia of the Megane is now more prominent with the shortened bonnet and large grille that's split into three angular portions.
It gets better when viewed from the side. In fact, it looks concept curvy, with the roof looking like a transparent dock covering the body. Its sloping A-pillars plunges nicely to the rear to give the curved glass roof a genuine coupe silhouette when in place and this translates to a wide and prominent road stance for the Megane CC. This French has also grown, using a new platform that sees to an increment of 87mm in its wheelbase while an extended length of 4,485mm (an increase of 130mm over its predecessor).
In the rear, the cabriolet looks the part. It has opening lines for the foldable roof as is the boot. But Renault has somehow taken the attention away from the lines as it doesn't seem overdone. Could it be due to the colour contrast of the white and the dark red LED tail lamps that made us focus more on the lights? Or is it simply the fact that the designers decided to keep things simple and straightforward?
Regardless of the reason, it didn't diminish the car's striking good looks. It has certainly matured with times to a sleek and modern machine. A machine that has a wind-sculptured profile that's easy on the eye. A machine that's more for posing than racing.
Since the launch of the first Megane Cabriolet in 1997, the French automaker has been gaining significant production expertise to realise a head-turner for the Megane family. And the latest Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet doesn't disappoint.
According to Renault, this new sexy back "is an open invitation to enjoy open-top motoring, and is an elegant illustration of Renault's new brand signature, 'Drive the Change'." But is that really the case?
Exterior
Beauty is, no doubt, in the eyes of the beholder, but oh my does the sweeping lines on the bonnet make up for the styling of its predecessors. It is, of course, by no means an insult to the French, given the fact that the first word that came to my mind when I laid eyes on her was "alluring". We reckon it's the swept back headlights that give the car the provocative look. The fascia of the Megane is now more prominent with the shortened bonnet and large grille that's split into three angular portions.
It gets better when viewed from the side. In fact, it looks concept curvy, with the roof looking like a transparent dock covering the body. Its sloping A-pillars plunges nicely to the rear to give the curved glass roof a genuine coupe silhouette when in place and this translates to a wide and prominent road stance for the Megane CC. This French has also grown, using a new platform that sees to an increment of 87mm in its wheelbase while an extended length of 4,485mm (an increase of 130mm over its predecessor).
In the rear, the cabriolet looks the part. It has opening lines for the foldable roof as is the boot. But Renault has somehow taken the attention away from the lines as it doesn't seem overdone. Could it be due to the colour contrast of the white and the dark red LED tail lamps that made us focus more on the lights? Or is it simply the fact that the designers decided to keep things simple and straightforward?
Regardless of the reason, it didn't diminish the car's striking good looks. It has certainly matured with times to a sleek and modern machine. A machine that has a wind-sculptured profile that's easy on the eye. A machine that's more for posing than racing.
 |
Interior
But it's the interior that will truly capture eyes. It is minimalistic but aesthetically finished, thanks to the tantalising orange leather seats like none other I have seen before. And the quality of the materials used and the high standards of fit and finish certainly aid to the elegant feel of the interior.
But there are some main highlights that we reckon are worth mentioning here. Most cabriolets are exposed with repulsive-looking roll-over hoops but not this one. The end product we see here is clean, tight and tidy with no ugly features scattering behind or near the headrests.
Another is the creation of a panoramic glass roof. Occupants in this compact convertible won't be feeling claustrophobic. The standard folding glass roof helps a fair bit in making the cabin airy but drivers will feel the heat when the scorching sun is shining right through. That being said, it ensures a brightly lit cabin and a sensation of space and freedom.
It's rather a smart creation I would say. I mean Renault even went to the extent of equipping the new Megane CC with a standard fixed glass wind deflector (unique in its segment) for the sake of reducing wind noise and turbulence. For a second, I thought Renault was bullshitting me. But when I was driving topless along the highways (pun intended), I realised I was wrong.
Renault did pay close attention to reduce all the unpleasant wind pounding indeed, showing proof that the French marque is all about serious business when they wanted occupants of the car to enjoy the thrills of al fresco motoring without the drawbacks.
Despite being a compact four-seater convertible, the Megane CC does actually have useable back seats, resulted from the increased wheelbase as well as the length of the car. Nonetheless, with the boot compartment holding a 417 litres of space in the coupe configuration and 211 litres as a cabriolet, we reckon the back seats are better used as a storage area.
 |
The Drive
With the glass roof in place, the car manages to be a quiet one on the go. Little or no wind and road noises can be heard at three-figure speeds which immediately sets this coupe cabriolet apart from its competitors. And should the mood strikes due to a suitable weather, the fully-automatic, electro-hydraulic opening mechanism of the two-part roof enables the driver to lower the top in just 21 seconds at the press of a button.
Going topless in this 2.0-litre French beauty continues to prove its refinements on the road. As mentioned before, the fixed glass wind deflector located at the back does a relatively good job at keeping your hair unruffled when driving but it sure doesn't prevent the seatbelts from flapping like crazy birds. It is still, nevertheless, an enjoyment to pilot this car on the highways, where the car is truly in its element.
The high driving position is excellent while the suspension is predictably comfort-bias, settling over the dips and bumps quickly but nicely. Additionally, the steering points to the direction you want it to but, ever so often, it feels lost with the numb feedback and lack of weight. Renault could really work on this to give the driver some welcome encouragement when he is really pushing the limits round a series of bends. Good thing is, due to the car's lower centre of gravity, body roll is slightly experienced.
With the glass roof in place, the car manages to be a quiet one on the go. Little or no wind and road noises can be heard at three-figure speeds which immediately sets this coupe cabriolet apart from its competitors. And should the mood strikes due to a suitable weather, the fully-automatic, electro-hydraulic opening mechanism of the two-part roof enables the driver to lower the top in just 21 seconds at the press of a button.
Going topless in this 2.0-litre French beauty continues to prove its refinements on the road. As mentioned before, the fixed glass wind deflector located at the back does a relatively good job at keeping your hair unruffled when driving but it sure doesn't prevent the seatbelts from flapping like crazy birds. It is still, nevertheless, an enjoyment to pilot this car on the highways, where the car is truly in its element.
The high driving position is excellent while the suspension is predictably comfort-bias, settling over the dips and bumps quickly but nicely. Additionally, the steering points to the direction you want it to but, ever so often, it feels lost with the numb feedback and lack of weight. Renault could really work on this to give the driver some welcome encouragement when he is really pushing the limits round a series of bends. Good thing is, due to the car's lower centre of gravity, body roll is slightly experienced.
For a compact convertible by the French, it's an undeniably comfortable car. Given its stature, it's bought on style, not handling. After all, it's not supposed to be a driver's machine. It neither provides a harsh nor a slow ride, and mates relatively well with the six-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), allowing the car to hit the century mark in 11.7 seconds.
Conclusion
The new Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet may not be able to whisk its occupants to their destinations in a moments' notice but it's definitely an ideal car to have for a relaxing drive with the roof down in our sunny country.
With this car, Renault has shown us how much it has improved since the previous Megane CC was created. Not only is it neat by nature and elegant by design, it is sexy when topless.
Conclusion
The new Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet may not be able to whisk its occupants to their destinations in a moments' notice but it's definitely an ideal car to have for a relaxing drive with the roof down in our sunny country.
With this car, Renault has shown us how much it has improved since the previous Megane CC was created. Not only is it neat by nature and elegant by design, it is sexy when topless.
