The Renault Megane Coupe is the sleeker and sportier version of the Megane Hatch. With it comes the same stylish interior but a heftier price tag for less doors.
The Renault Megane Coupe comes with a choice of one petrol engine or one diesel variant. The petrol option is a 1.2 litre TCe115 four cylinder engine with 115bhp mated to a five speed manual gearbox. There diesel option has two varying power outputs that range from the 1.5 litre dCi95 with 95bhp and the dCi110 with 110bhp mated to an optional automatic gearbox. There is also the high performance Megane 265 Trophy powered with a 265bhp 2.0 litre turbo charged engine. While the diesel option makes more sense for those covering big mileage, the petrol engine feels more suited to the Coupe.
The Megane Coupe instantly feels more sporty thank its hatchback sibling behind the wheel. Overall it’s more focused with a stiffer suspension setup, better steering, and handling and much improved. The Coupe has the DNA of the hot Megane 265 Coupe and it makes for an enjoyable and engaging drive. This stiffer setup however does have its pitfalls. It can feel quite harsh on Irish B roads and lumps and bumps can sometimes feel bigger than they are. On the motorway, it provides a pleasant ride, but in and out of corners, it can be quite a bit of fun.
There are four trim lines and specifications to choose from within the Megane line-up. These are Expression, Dynamique, Limited and GT Line. The core features are very generous at entry Expression level. It includes Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry push button start, tinted rear windows and optic headlights. Moving further up the trim lines you get further comforts like a leather steering wheel, auto wipers and headlights, daytime running LED lights, rear parking sensors and larger alloy wheels. The GT line gets specific interior and exterior trims replicating the high performance Megane Trophy.
Like the Megane Hatch, the Coupe has a neatly designed dashboard layout with a blend of digital and analogue controls via the centre console and multi-function steering wheel. There is a nice use of materials with some nice contrast chrome pieces that lift the interior of the car. There is a sense of durability about the cabin with a less is more design approach. While the Megane recently received a makeover and adopted the new signature front end toward the end of 2014, it is expected to be replaced in 2016. A revised Coupe is likely to follow some time in the months.
The Megane Coupe has not been tested separately to the Megane Hatch by Euro NCAP crash testers. The Hatch however did score a very respectable 4/5 stars making it a very safe car. The coupe gets the same standard safety kit that includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, traction control, understeer control, hill start assist, cruise control and a full set of airbags including front and side curtain bags.
Being a two door the Renault Megane Coupe is not going to be the most practical car in the world. While front seat passengers fare well, back seat passengers struggle for any real legroom and the sloping roofline is not good for headroom either. Access to the rear is not that easy either due to its two door setup. Boot space is about on par with its Opel Astra GTC and SEAT Leon SC with 344 litres of capacity. The rear seats can also be folded forward to open up the back of the cabin to 991 litres.
Arrange a