FIRST DRIVE: Renault Megane Coupe (From Penarth Times)

FIRST DRIVE: Renault Megane Coupe

3:34pm Friday 26th February 2010

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LOOKS good, doesn’t it? If you’re going to call your car a coupe you might as well make an effort in the design department.

Far too many three-door hatchbacks are lumbered with the coupe moniker but fail to live up to their newfound status.

Not so Renault’s latest generation Megane. Even in five-door family friendly form the car is more streamlined than before.

The three-door variant takes the concept a step further: sleek, racy-looking and, get ready for this, a darn sight more desirable than its predecessor.

That last sentiment is, obviously, a subjective one.

With beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that, the old car’s bold haunches, upright tailgate and prominent nose did find favour with many buyers but it was hardly coupe material.

Which is probably why it wasn’t called one.

But why buy a family-hatch-size car with only three doors if you’re not interested in cars? The practicality argument doesn’t hold water, so you might as well get something that looks good and drives well.

One out of two is usually all you can hope for with the current choice in the market. Renault’s Megane Coupe aims to tick both those boxes with its sophisticated looking and engaging three-door hatch, sorry, coupe.

In essence, Renault is treating this Megane as a separate car with a separate personality from its five-door relative. The decision appears to be justified, not least because the coupe model boasts a more daring, racy nose thanks in part to the clever use of contrasting colours accentuating the car’s air intakes. At the rear the upright design of tailgate and window has gone, replaced by a rakish third door.

Overall the new look is a squat one - but in the nicest sense. This purposeful stance is more in keeping with the car’s sporty character and does much to convince even the casual onlooker that the coupe name is justified. The car’s lowered and stiffened suspension is not only functional but also, it would appear, help boost the car’s visual appeal.

The car’s dramatic sloping roof also does much to create an intimate cabin ambience - just what you need if you are to perpetuate the sporting image. It’s all familiar stuff inside the Megane Coupe, and any fans of the five-door will feel right at home.

They’ll hopeful notice the welcome uplift in terms of quality over previous Meganes. Both the general fit and finish plus the choice of materials used are better than before. And true to form, the layout and execution of the various controls and displays are first rate. Renault has been steadily building up a reputation for offering cars with cleverly laid out cabins and this Megane doesn’t disappoint.

It doesn’t disappoint on the road, either. For all the references to ‘performance’ and ‘sporty’ characteristics the Megane Coupe isn’t, strictly speaking, a performance car. It’s not a hot hatch, GTI-baiting machine, for instance. What it is, though, is a brisk and rounded car, capable of raising a smile when on your favourite road and reminding you that you don’t have to be traveling at a million miles an hour to have fun.

The Megane Coupe achieves this through a combination a supple ride (although it’s lowered and stiffened slightly over the five-door), accurate steering and a range of impressive engines. From a variable valve 1.6 to a blown 2.0-litre petrol and a 1.5 to 1.9 diesel, there’s no shortage of choice or power - the full span is from 86 to 180 horsepower.

Picking a high achiever is difficult, but the current market dictates that the 130 horsepower 1.9 diesel shouldn’t be far from your mind. In the five-door hatch it’s an impressive all-rounder. For the decadent among you the 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor and its 180 horsepower is also worth a look. Brisk, effortless progress is guaranteed, while there’s enough in reserve to make punching out of corners a pleasure and not a chore.

With looks and image counting for a lot these days, Renault’s Megane Coupe has nothing to worry about. In fact, the car is something of a breath of fresh air in a largely predictable market. Three-door versions of sensible hatchbacks can’t touch the Megane for visual appeal and overall aesthetics.

Thankfully Renault followed its plan through to its logical conclusion and added just the right amount of performance to balance the car’s everyday practicality - despite the car’s streamlined profile the boot is surprisingly accommodating. As a daily driver this Megane works just like any other car, yet is more than capable of turning on the charm when you’re away from the daily grind. A Renault worthy of the coupe badge, it would appear.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Renault Megane Coupe Dynamique 2.0 TCe 180, from £17,764 on the road. Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit developing 180bhp. Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels. Performance: Maximum speed 143mph, 0-62mph 7.8 seconds. Economy: 37.2mpg. CO2 Rating: 178g/km.

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