Photo: original photo edited by autoevolution
Manufacturers tell us that they are constantly developing lighter platforms. But in reality, the compact segment has plateaued, with little change happening in the weight department. While making our photo comparison of the new Megane Estate, we discovered it had actually gained weight.
To be fair, Renault never claimed its new CMF platform is lighter than the old one, but we kind of expected it that way, since the competition does it. I think two or three examples should be enough to prove that something is off here.
First, let's look at the 1.5 dCi engine, which due to low cost and high efficiency is by far the most popular Renault offers. We wouldn't want to guys to struggle off the line, so we're going to look at the 110 PS version, not the basic one. Both generations of the Megane wagon offer/have offered it with either a 6-speed manual or the EDC twin-clutch automatic.
The first thing that caught our attention were the CO2 emissions, sitting at 90 grams per kilometer for the old model (with start and stop) and 95 grams for the 2017 one. And it's the same for fuel consumption, of course.
According to our numbers, the 2014 model weighed 1230 kilos, which some websites say is 1302 kilos (2870 lbs), probably due to adjustments to the measuring systems. But either way, it's still lighter than the 2017 Megane Estate 1.5 dCI, rated at 1312 kilograms (2892 lbs).
Things get even stranger in the performance department. The old 2014-2016 Megane wagon featured a 2-liter diesel rated at 163 hp and weighing 1384 kg (3051 lbs). Its replacement features a smaller 1.6-liter bi-turbo engine and yet is much heavier at 1516 (3342 lbs). Most of it is because they are now using an automatic gearbox instead of a lighter manual. Predictably, it's 0.4 seconds slower, and fuel consumption isn't that great either.
Finally, there's the soft performance model, the Megane GT wagon. I've always known that it got heavier. So, before, the model featured a 2-liter turbo with 220 PS and weighed an acceptable 1391 kilos (3067 lbs). The replacement adopts the 1.6-liter turbo from the Clio RS and a 7-speed EDC gearbox. Yet its total mass rises to 1430 kilos (3153). It's not that bad, but the weight makes everything worse, and we always wish there was less of it.
First, let's look at the 1.5 dCi engine, which due to low cost and high efficiency is by far the most popular Renault offers. We wouldn't want to guys to struggle off the line, so we're going to look at the 110 PS version, not the basic one. Both generations of the Megane wagon offer/have offered it with either a 6-speed manual or the EDC twin-clutch automatic.
The first thing that caught our attention were the CO2 emissions, sitting at 90 grams per kilometer for the old model (with start and stop) and 95 grams for the 2017 one. And it's the same for fuel consumption, of course.
According to our numbers, the 2014 model weighed 1230 kilos, which some websites say is 1302 kilos (2870 lbs), probably due to adjustments to the measuring systems. But either way, it's still lighter than the 2017 Megane Estate 1.5 dCI, rated at 1312 kilograms (2892 lbs).
Things get even stranger in the performance department. The old 2014-2016 Megane wagon featured a 2-liter diesel rated at 163 hp and weighing 1384 kg (3051 lbs). Its replacement features a smaller 1.6-liter bi-turbo engine and yet is much heavier at 1516 (3342 lbs). Most of it is because they are now using an automatic gearbox instead of a lighter manual. Predictably, it's 0.4 seconds slower, and fuel consumption isn't that great either.
Finally, there's the soft performance model, the Megane GT wagon. I've always known that it got heavier. So, before, the model featured a 2-liter turbo with 220 PS and weighed an acceptable 1391 kilos (3067 lbs). The replacement adopts the 1.6-liter turbo from the Clio RS and a 7-speed EDC gearbox. Yet its total mass rises to 1430 kilos (3153). It's not that bad, but the weight makes everything worse, and we always wish there was less of it.
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