An open-and-shut case: Megane cabriolet is chic

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Friday, August 27, 2010

It is perhaps not the best time to be launching a coupe or a cabriolet, but Renault has just launched the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet onto the marketplace.

The company says that there is style and chic in every detail of the new machine, and point to the chrome belt surrounding the passenger cabin, and chrome windscreen pillars, the roof and side mirrors in glossy black, as evidence of this.

Renault also maintains that, in keeping with the Megane Coupé -Cabriolet style, the car comes with a high level of specification, including an electric, panoramic folding glass roof as standard, allegedly to give the feeling of freedom, whether the top is up or down.

In keeping with Renault’s current marketing push, the new car is particularly well-equipped with cruise control, speed limiter, Bluetooth hands-free phone kit, electric folding mirrors, rear parking sensors and front and rear sport bumpers, all part of the deal.

It also comes with five years unlimited mileage warranty as standard, and other elements of the package include the air conditioning with dual-zone climate control, Carminat TomTom with joystick, full leather/leather type seats (whatever that means), heated front seats, lockable glove box, and Renault hands-free keycard.

For the Irish market, the Megane Coupé-Cabriolet comes in two six-speed diesel versions, the 1.5 dCi 110 bhp manual and 1.5 dCi 110 bhp automatic (EDC). A GT-Line is an option pack, with special design elements.

One interesting element of the car is Renault’s new EDC – or efficient dual clutch, which is similar to VW’s DSG system.

Renault advise punters that opting for this EDC gearbox means opting for high-performing technology, coupled with comfort and reactivity. From a technical point of view, at the opportune moment, gears are automatically changed by shifting from one clutch to the other.

The first clutch opens while the second closes simultaneously, guaranteeing continuous and smooth traction during gear changes, in a very reactive way.

The gearbox has a six-speed manual (Tiptronic) mode, too, to make the most of it.
From an economical aspect, consumption and emission levels have been reduced by up to 17%, versus a traditional, automatic gearbox (and, depending on model, it is better than on a manual gearbox).

This reduction means savings up to 30g/km in terms of CO2 emissions, and an Eco2 label allowing a particularly low road tax in its category for this type of engine.

The New Megane Coupé-Cabriolet is available to order now, and prices for the two versions on offer are €31,900 and €33,400 before you take in the various scrappage offers available.

I don’t know that they will sell many, but the package seems very appealing, nonetheless.