Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Coupe Cabrio
Production years: 1997, 1998, 1999
Renault introduced the first Megane lineup in 1995 but waited for another two years before unveiling the Cabriolet version.
When Ford introduced the first open-top version for the Escort, it became an unexpected fashion item. Renault tried the same with a rag-top model 19, but it didn't reach that status. After a few years, when the Megane was already a real success, the French carmaker tried again. It took the little Megane Coupe, reinforced its structure, and cut its roof resulting in the Megane Cabriolet.
With its already known front fascia that sported the bird-beak design with an arched, vertical slat on the grille, the Megane screamed for attention. However, its short hood and very raked windshield were adequate for an open-top version. Moreover, the short cabin meant that, apart from the windscreen, the car didn't need any other roll-cage to protect its occupants. Renault worked hard to make room for the canvas roof behind the rear seats. After the passenger area, the car featured a short, double-bubble deck and the trunk lid.
Concealing the rag top might be a good idea for a longer car, but on the Megane coupe, that came with the cost of two unusable rear seats. It wasn't kind to put a person there or any animal larger than a golden fish in a bowl. But Renault knew that its customers wouldn't use that space for anything else other than a storage area for a shopping bag or two. So yet, it provided comfortable, high-bolstered front bucket seats with velour upholstery on the standard version and an option for a leather-clad interior.
Under the hood, the carmaker axed the 1.4-liter base engine from the Megane lineup and offered the Cabriolet version with a choice of three gasoline engines. These ranged between 90 hp and 150 hp, making the little open-top vehicle an excellent daily driver, especially in cities. But unfortunately for the French carmaker, that version wasn't as successful.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT FWD (90 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5000 RPM 90 HP @ 5000 RPM 89 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 101 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 137 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 116.2 mph (187 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70/R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.7 in (4031 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/56.3 in (1,450/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.2 in (2469 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.9 cuFT (280 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2381 lbs (1080 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3494.3 lbs (1585 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 39.9 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 173.7 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0i 4AT FWD (109 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 80.2 KW @ 5400 RPM 109 HP @ 5400 RPM 108 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 124 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 168 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.7 in (4031 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/56.3 in (1,450/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.2 in (2469 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.9 cuFT (280 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2546 lbs (1155 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3605 lbs (1635 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.4 mpg US (12.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 203 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0i 5MT FWD (109 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 80.2 KW @ 5400 RPM 109 HP @ 5400 RPM 108 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 124 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 168 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.7 in (4031 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/56.3 in (1,450/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.2 in (2469 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.9 cuFT (280 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2546 lbs (1155 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3605 lbs (1635 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.1 mpg US (11.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 36.8 mpg US (6.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 198 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 16V 5MT (150 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 110 KW @ 6000 RPM 150 HP @ 6000 RPM 148 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 136 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 185 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 133.6 mph (215 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.7 in (4031 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/56.3 in (1,450/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.2 in (2469 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.9 cuFT (280 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2557.4 lbs (1160 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3648.6 lbs (1655 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.5 mpg US (12.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 221.3 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5400 RPM 116 HP @ 5400 RPM 114 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 124 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 168 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124.3 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/60/R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.7 in (4031 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/56.3 in (1,450/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.2 in (2469 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.9 cuFT (280 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 37.3 mpg US (6.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 195.2 g/km |