HATCHING A FAMILY (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 134

Not many people know this, but the Renault Megane is an amazing vehicle. Think about it. The standard five-door hatch has spawned so many variants it's hard to keep track. How many? Count them off. The Megane Coupe proved a hit with those looking for style without the whack in the wallet whilst the Megane Cabrio did the same thing for the wind in the hair brigade. The Megane saloon was a surprisingly well-resolved styling job as was the Megane Estate; a model which was a big hit on the continent. The Megane Scenic's success speaks for itself whilst the Scenic RX4 took the Megane platform to places other mini MPVs certainly couldn't reach. So, as you may well assume, when shopping for a used Megane, one thing you're not short of is choice.

Modelsword count: 46

Models Covered - SECOND GENERATION (1999 - 2002) 5dr hatchback, 4dr saloon, 2dr coupe, 2dr cabriolet: 1.4, 1.4 16v, 1.6 16v, 1.8 16v, 2.0, 2.0 16V IDE, 1.9, 1.9dTi, 1.9dCi turbo diesel [Liberte, RT, Alize, Sport Alize, RXE, 16V, Monaco, Authentique, Expression(+), Sport, Dynamique(+) and Privilege(+)]

Historyword count: 264

One reason why the Megane seems to have been around forever is its outward similarity to its predecessor, the Renault 19. In fact, the Megane has only been with us since 1996 making it as old as, say, an Audi A3 - a car hardly thought of as a creaking veteran. The First Generation car did great business for Renault, but the Second Generation Megane, which arrived in April 1999, performed even better on the sales charts. It seemed the older the Megane got the more we liked it. It wasn't as if it got any better looking as it aged either, a rather dubious restyled nose and revised tail light treatment not doing Renault's clean shape any great favours. The restyled interior with extra equipment and twin front and side airbags on all models were welcome additions however. Though the base diesel and 1.4-litre engines remained, the bulk of the range was now made up with more advanced units: a 95bhp 1.4-litre 16v and the 110bhp 1.6-litre 16v engine borrowed from the Laguna. This restyle affected only the five-door, Classic, Coupe and Convertible models: the Scenic was re-launched as a model in its own right in Autumn '99. New 1.8 16v and 1.9dCi engines were introduced in late 2000 when the range was split into a number of 'Collections', being rebadged Authentique, Expression(+), Sport, Dynamique(+) and Privilege(+). Fidji special edition models proved popular towards the end of the model's life. Summer 2002 saw the unveiling of a radical third generation Megane hatch with a 'bustle back' in the style of the adventurous Avantime.

What You Getword count: 252

Somewhat against received wisdom, the Megane has managed to outsell big names offerings from Vauxhall, Rover and Volkswagen, and has kept sales bubbling, Renault consistently dabbling with the formula. The lack of a potent petrol unit for mainstream models was solved by including a 120bhp 1.8-litre engine in four and five-door models. Diesel drivers should be happier too, with a powerful 80bhp dTi engine for entry-level versions and the higher-tech 105bhp dCi common rail engine (borrowed from the Laguna II) for all but the base variants. Though there's no denying that the Megane, if not a class-leader, is dynamically up to standard, it is, like Ford's Focus and Vauxhall's Astra, one of those family hatchbacks that tends to be bought for reasons of price and specification rather than prestige, quality or performance. Megane owners aren't a loyal lot and are the kind of people who will switch brands in an instant if the figures and spec features don't meet with their approval. No point then, in going on here about hi-tech engineering. Potential buyers of this car will want to talk bangs per buck. Safety remains a strongpoint, with a Brake Assist system (for maximum emergency braking) added to ABS as standard on all models. There are further improvements too, to the impressive Renault system for Restraint and Protection (SRP) with its driver, passenger and side airbags, three-point seatbelts for all three rear seat passengers, Isofix child seat anchorages and seatbelt pre-tensioners which halve the force of an accident on the occupant.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227