Photo: SB-Medien
The fourth-generation Renault Megane has been spotted for the first time while undergoing its daily testing routine in sunny Spain. Crucial for the French carmaker's future, the compact will battle the VW Golf and Peugeot 308 using new design and underpinnings.
First of all, let us explain why the Megane silhouette looks so much like the Nissan Pulsar. The two are underpinned by the same CMF platform, short for Common Module Family, and will thus share some major components like the firewall.
The current generation was introduced in 2008 with much simpler design than its predecessor. A cosmetic refresh arrived in 2012, when the company also introduced a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, a 110 PS version of the 1.5 dCi and the new 1.6 dCi. Another facelift hit dealerships in January 2014.
That means that the all-new Megane we're seeing here could debut in 2016 as early as the Geneva Motor Show and enter production soon after that. We expect major reductions in weight to be accompanied by more efficient engines. We expect that, like the Espace, a twin-turbo 1.6-liter diesel with 160 hp will be offered. The 1.6-liter TCe used by the Clio RS will also play a major role. Here are the specific power figures for the engines we believe will be offered:
The prototype we managed to spot is fully camouflaged, but the design underneath is clearly a more serious version of what's on the Clio. The headlights are sharp, making the front look angry and moody, while LED technology is expected to be optionally available throughout. A huge diamond badge dominates the grille and at the back, strong shoulders are used to flank a wide opening trunk door.
We expect Renault to continue the use of its 6- and newer 7-speed EDC twin-clutch automatic. As for the Megane RS, the future seem a bit unclear right now. It would appear that orders from the very top of the company demand a hybrid that combines a smaller engine and the electric motor from the Zoe. Our sources within the company tell us an RS sedan trademark has also been made.
The current generation was introduced in 2008 with much simpler design than its predecessor. A cosmetic refresh arrived in 2012, when the company also introduced a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, a 110 PS version of the 1.5 dCi and the new 1.6 dCi. Another facelift hit dealerships in January 2014.
That means that the all-new Megane we're seeing here could debut in 2016 as early as the Geneva Motor Show and enter production soon after that. We expect major reductions in weight to be accompanied by more efficient engines. We expect that, like the Espace, a twin-turbo 1.6-liter diesel with 160 hp will be offered. The 1.6-liter TCe used by the Clio RS will also play a major role. Here are the specific power figures for the engines we believe will be offered:
- 1.2 TCe with 130 PS and 205 Nm
- 1.6 TCe with 160 PS and 240 Nm
- 1.6 TCe with 200 PS and 260 Nm
- 1.5 dCi with 110 PS and 240 Nm
- 1.6 dCi with 130 PS and 320 Nm
- 1.6 dCi with 160 PS and 380 Nm
The prototype we managed to spot is fully camouflaged, but the design underneath is clearly a more serious version of what's on the Clio. The headlights are sharp, making the front look angry and moody, while LED technology is expected to be optionally available throughout. A huge diamond badge dominates the grille and at the back, strong shoulders are used to flank a wide opening trunk door.
We expect Renault to continue the use of its 6- and newer 7-speed EDC twin-clutch automatic. As for the Megane RS, the future seem a bit unclear right now. It would appear that orders from the very top of the company demand a hybrid that combines a smaller engine and the electric motor from the Zoe. Our sources within the company tell us an RS sedan trademark has also been made.
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