Currently reading: Tweaks to Renault Mégane range

Renault has revealed its 2012 revisions to its best-selling Mégane, featuring three new engines

Renault has revealed its Renault Mégane Collection 2012 range, which features styling tweaks and three new engines among the key changes.

The Mégane Collection 2012 gets three new ‘Energy’ engines – one petrol and two diesels – all with stop-start and deceleration/braking energy-recovery systems.

The Renault Energy TCe 115 is a 1.2-litre unit that will replace the 1.6-litre 16v in the Mégane range. Compared to the outgoing motor, power is up 5bhp to 115bhp, and peak torque is up 29lb ft to 140lb ft, with 90 per cent of the shove available from 1650rpm. Versions of Mégane Collection 2012 powered by this engine emit 119g/km of CO2 and offer 53mpg, according to the manufacturer’s figures.

The first of two diesels is the Energy dCi 110, a tweaked version of the Mégane range’s best-selling 1.5-litre engine that returns 74mpg and 95g/km. Peak torque is up to 191lb ft, which is available from 1750rpm. The second oil burner is the Energy dCi 130, a 1.6 litre that possesses 130bhp and 236lb ft at 1750rpm. It returns 71mpg and 104g/km.

The Mégane’s front-end gets some small styling tweaks, including gloss black and chrome detailing and daytime running lights, and the selection of wheels on offer across the range has been revised.

The cabin comes with new interior trims, including a two-tone leather/Alcantara pack available in a choice of three finishes.

There are some detail changes across the variants in the model range. The Bose version is now an equipment level in its own right, while the GT and GT-Line finishes now have ‘boomerang’-shaped LED lights, red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, plus Renault Sport-badged door sill guards and dashboard trim strip.

The Mégane Collection 2012 can be ordered with Renault’s Visio system which comprises a camera fixed to the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror. It automatically switches from main- to dipped-beam headlights at night and also offers a lane-assist system.

The list of body colours available has been extended with the addition of ‘Majorelle Blue’ and ‘Pearlescent White’.

The performance-oriented Mégane R.S. Collection 2012 gets a package of performance and cosmetic tweaks. Under the bonnet, the car’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine has an extra 15bhp and 15lb ft, taking peak power to 265bhp and 265lb ft for the limited-edition Trophy version when Sport Mode is deployed. The Mégane R.S. Collection 2012 also has a revised exhaust design to offer a more emphatic engine noise.

Exterior changes include a redesigned front end with black headlight surrounds and two rows of six LED lights and a new design of 18in alloys. An optional R.S. Red Design Pack comprises red pin-striping for the front blade, side sills and diffuser.

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A new interior trim has been introduced, featuring visible red stitching for the steering wheel, gear-lever knob, gear-lever bellows and dashboard trim. New two-tone light grey and charcoal leather upholstery can also be specified as an option, as can fabric or leather Recaro seats.

The Mégane sold more than 235,000 units around the world last year, making it Renault’s best-selling model. The Mégane Collection 2012 models will go on sale in Europe in March.

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Flash Harry 5 January 2012

Re: Tweaks to Renault Mégane range

The Megane needs more than a tweak here and there i think.The previous generation was more desirable and indeed that was reflected in sales figures too.Renault have a massive task on their hands to bring all their models up to date.

Mr£4worth 5 January 2012

Re: Tweaks to Renault Mégane range

Autocar wrote:
Renault has revealed its Renault Mégane Collection 2012 range, which features styling tweaks and three new engines among the key changes.

The Mégane Collection 2012 gets three new ‘Energy’ engines – one petrol and two diesels – all with stop-start and deceleration/braking energy-recovery systems.

See pictures of the Renault Mégane Collection 2012

The Renault Energy TCe 115 is ... Read the full article

"A more emphatic engine noise". I think that means "It will be noisier". Maybe Megane sales are slow because they look so darned ugly? OK the coupe looks reasonable, but the others are not too special - having just ditched a 1.2 petrol turbo Renault i do wonder if the new engine will produce adequate power & I am sure real world economy will be terrible. 36 mpg over 15000 miles in a 1.2 Renault Wind was not what i had expected....

paul896 5 January 2012

Re: Tweaks to Renault Mégane range

Had one as a company car, and as a comapny car it was fine, quiet at cruise, frugal, decent space, but would never buy one or even recommend one. It had an engine (1.5dCi) that would make John Deere proud it was so noisy, seats gave no support, felt like you were sitting on them rather then in them and they gave terrible back ache after about 3 hours, radio controls are backwards, and the sound it produces could be described as tinny at best. Steering was so devoid of feel it was actually comcal, and was hoping someone would crash into it and write it off so I could get something else....

Renault can slap on all the fancy chrome and gloss bits they like, its still bettered by the Koreans and most of its rivals.