Car Test
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R0354 | |
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August 2003 |
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| First Drive | Renault Megane | |
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 1.9dCi Sport Tourer | |
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Any motoring anorak worthy of the name will tell you that there hasn’t been a small-to-medium estate car in the Renault line-up since the early 70s – remember the R12 estate? That’s a long time for a motor maker to be without a modestly sized load lugger, but that gap has, at last, been filled by the new Megane Sport Tourer.
The newcomer is launched at the same time as both the big-booted Sport Saloon and the Coupé Cabriolet (the latter with a cleverly engineered folding glass roof). From the centre pillars forward, you can’t tell one from the other, but those in the back can, because the Sport Tourer (and saloon) sit on the forthcoming Grand Scenic’s floorpan with its 6cm-longer wheelbase. This means that rear kneeroom improves from cramped to slightly above class average. So, with good footspace and headroom, and with the backrest now slightly more reclined, the back seat is a more comfortable place to be. There’s an extra 23cm of rear overhang in the Sport Tourer, as well. This benefits the load area, of course, which has a volume similar to that of the Focus Estate. It’s a practical, easy-to-load shape, but, annoyingly, the front seats have to be moved forward before the 60/40 split cushions and backrests (with head restraints in situ) can be folded forwards to give a long, flat load deck. In fact, it’s all very familiar estate car stuff – nothing innovative here, except that there’s a sunken storage area in the spare wheel and you can opt for an opening tailgate window. With the hands-free keyless entry and ignition (standard only on Privilege) having got you started, life behind the reach-and-rake adjustable wheel is further eased by a multi-adjustable seat that offers class-leading legroom and generous headroom. Most of the controls are well placed and the Sport Tourer’s extra window space results in excellent all-round vision. The instruments and computer graphics should be a lot brighter and clearer, however. We’ve no complaints about the amount of up-to-the-minute technology, equipment levels and options, though. Of the five engines on offer, we rate the 1.9dCi turbo-diesel as the best all-rounder, thanks to its eager pulling power and overall quietness – not to mention the promise of an overall 52mpg (it says here). It’s carpet-slipper quiet when motorway cruising, due to the tall sixth gear in the easy-shifting ‘box. What a pity, though, that the engine is unpleasantly coarse and boomy in the 1500 to 2000 rev band, in a way that puts you off exploiting its low-speed umph. On patchy roads there’s a quick, firm reaction from the suspension, but otherwise the ride is comfortable, even when the Sport Tourer is unladen. The electric power steering is still let down by a lack of clean precision, however, and into a turn, there’s a nibbly, rocking sensation at the wheel rim. Yet when the car is pressed, handling is roll-resistant and responsive, with the optional traction and understeer controls keeping it pointed in the right direction. In fact, these driver aids form only a part of an impressive inventory of safety features, which includes up to ten airbags. |
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