Renault's Megane has been with us since 2008, and to keep it going through 2013 there have been a number of upgrades, cosmetic and mechanically, writes Brian Byrne.
The front end has a more modern feel, while LED daytime running lights provide a new lighting signature. The bumper features a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, and the selection of wheels has been revised.
Getting into it last week was very much a sense of deja vu, as the core design of the interior hasn't changed much. But there is a feeling of noticably better quality.
Seats are good, and there's a good driving position, though maybe the slope of the instruments panel invites a bit of glare in bright conditions. Overall, though, it's an easy car to get used to being in. And there's decent room for those in the back, the 5-door hatch in review making that area easily accessible.
Mechanically, the latest Mégane is the first Renault model to be available with two new Stop & Start engines and deceleration and braking energy recovery.
The TCe 115 1.2 petrol engine with 115hp and 90 per cent of its turbocharged pulling power is available from 1,650rpm. That gives it a flexibility and acceleration from low revs similar to those of a diesel engine. Fuel consumption equivalent of 53.3mpg are achievable, with CO2 emissions of 119g/km. The diesel dCi 110 1.5 now offers fuel consumption equivalent of 80.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 90g/km.
Equipment in the review car included what I now consider a mandatory safety feature, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity. Motorway mode indicators set off three flashes to warn other road users that the driver is about to change lane.
I think they've fiddled with the steering dynamics at least, because does does seem rather sharper than before, if not up to Golf or Focus levels. They have also improved the acoustics of the Megane, which is now a very quiet driver indeed on road surfaces that give half a chance of this.
Prices for Mégane start at €19,990.
