Renault reveals new Megane, for Ireland in October

2 July 2002: Renault this morning unveiled the first two cars from the New Mégane II family which will eventually offer seven models by 2004 in a complete renewal of its product line-up in the C segment, the biggest in the European automobile market.

The first two New Méganes to be unveiled are the Sport Hatch and Hatch – three and five-door – models. They will be on sale in Ireland in October.

Built on the new C platform — jointly developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance - which will account for 25% of all Alliance production by 2006 (1.8 million vehicles) - Mégane II constitutes a major commercial, financial and industrial challenge underpinning Renault's profitable growth strategy.

At launch, Mégane II will be offered with a wide range of frugal, yet powerful petrol and diesel engines together with new-generation transmissions. The petrol engine range at launch comprises three units: 98bhp 1.4 16V, 115bhp 1.6 16V VVT and 136bhp 2.0 16V VVT. The latter two engines are equipped with variable inlet valve timing (VVT) for the benefit of ease of driving and a reduction in fuel consumption. All these petrol engines comply with the Euro 3 (Euro 2000) emission requirements and also meet IF Euro 4 fiscal incentive standards, depending on market.

The Mégane II diesel range will initially consist of the 1.5 dCi 80 (120g of CO2/km) and 1.9 dCi 120 common-rail turbodiesel units featuring the latest technology.

Mégane II was devised right from the start as an international programme and will be distributed in 75 countries. In Europe, Renault has its sights set on 14% of the C segment, challenging for the title of Europe’s best-selling car.

Based on a completely new platform, New Mégane II has new front and rear suspension systems, combining precision with highly effective isolation of noise and vibration. In addition to ABS, Emergency Brake Assist and the tyre pressure monitoring system, Mégane II is the first model to use a new-generation electronic stability programme (ESP) incorporating understeer control (CSV). In addition xenon headlamp units feature an all-new adaptive beam height control.

Variable assisted electric power steering is also a feature. Cockpit-style ergonomics have been developed using Touch Design to make the driver feel more part of the car, such as the handbrake lever styled like a aircraft throttle lever.

Mégane II offers a host of occupant-protection features with the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3), designed to offer maximum protection to all occupants equally. The Mégane II Sport Hatch achieves a world first by incorporating Renault's latest safety advance, an anti-submarining airbag in the front seats.

Mégane II was developed in just 29 months — Renault's best-ever development time. The engineering phase was significantly shortened and the production preparation phase halved.

Renault invested a total of Euro 2.1 billion, with nearly half devoted to industrial investment in Palencia, Spain — readied to produce the hatchback and the Sport Hatch — as well as at the plant in Douai, France, which will manufacture the hatchback and the new Scénic at a later date. The third plant, in Bursa, Turkey, will produce the Mégane saloon.

June 2002