Photo: © Renault
Read aloud:
20 January 2016
Renault: After 20 years and five million units sold, the fourth generation of the Renault Mégane is now available – also as a GT with 205 hp for sporty drivers.
I pull the shift paddles forward with both hands, my left foot on the brake, my right foot on full throttle. Three green circles flash on the display, then stop – launch control is ready. Just lift my foot off the brake, the tires spin briefly, and then the car picks up speed, hitting 100 km/h in five seconds.
All sports car drivers are familiar with the principle of launch control. What's special here is that we're sitting in a compact car, the C-segment – and it's actually a run-of-the-mill model, the Renault Mégane. In its 20-year history, the model has sold around five million units and is now entering its fourth generation, including the Mégane GT. The racing experts at Renault Sports have been involved, equipping the model with a 205 hp engine, a sporty chassis, improved aerodynamics, and launch control. The result: sporty genes in a compact model.
With 280 Newton meters of torque, the Mégane GT is no sports car and is worlds away from a supercar – but it does give the driver a glimpse of what racing is capable of. Especially since its performance on the road is impressive. Roadholding is excellent, and the car corners like a string, even at higher speeds. This is thanks to the 4Control all-wheel steering, which involves the rear wheels steering. Up to 80 km/h (50 mph), they steer in opposite directions, and above 80 km/h (50 mph), they steer parallel to the front wheels. This gives the car world-class cornering dynamics. This, combined with even more direct steering, makes the driver want to turn the winding country road into a racetrack.
What's right for the GT is cheap for the classic Mégane. Like its sporty sibling, the classic features an excellent chassis and boasts precise handling. Visually, the two barely differ. The compact car is six centimeters longer than its predecessor, which benefits the occupants, especially in the rear, with two centimeters more kneeroom. However, tall adults still find the back seat relatively cramped when the driver and front passenger have their seats pushed all the way back. The trunk has a capacity of 383 liters according to VDA standards. While that's 21 liters less than its predecessor, it's still an industry best.
The price list lists nine engines – five petrol and four diesel – but a closer look reveals three petrol and diesel engines of varying power. The fuel-efficient dCi130 with 130 hp is the champion, consuming just 3,3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (combined fuel consumption) when combined with a start-stop system and a fuel-optimized engine. Overall, the engines are economical.
Even the GT, in Sport mode, managed just 9,2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (28.4 mpg) on the approximately 100-kilometer test track – despite various sprints and testing the launch control. Special praise is due to the almost tablet-sized display in the center console, which also allows all the vehicle's parameters – assistance system settings, air conditioning, driving profile, etc. – to be adjusted. The display is clear and well-structured, the menu is self-explanatory and quickly understandable even for absolute novices. And the driver can bring the relevant information directly into their field of vision via the head-up display.
Conclusion: Renault has significantly upgraded the Mégane, incorporating many features from higher-end segments into the compact class. Thanks to a good chassis and precise steering, driving is a pleasure, and the new GT even gives sporty drivers a racing feel.
Photos: © Renault
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