Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Details on Renault Megane Estate wagon

After debuted in March at the Geneva Motor Show, Renault released more details on the new Megane Estate wagon. The car will go on sale in Europe by the end of June, with a wide range of standard and optional equipment.

In terms of engines, the Estate comes with a full range of engine choices, fourteen, including both petrol and diesel powerplants, meant to give customers a choice between power and efficency. The petrol engine line-up comprises five powertrains, including the new TCe 130 engine which is available from launch. Economy is the focus of this 1.4L unit, and Renault claims that it "boasts the torque of a 2L engine and the power of a 1.8, yet its CO2 emissions are less than those of a 1.6."

The Megane Estate can also be ordered with 100hp (75kW) and 110hp (82kW) 1.6L petrol engines that drive through manual gearboxes, while a 2.0L petrol engine mated to an automatic transmission is also available.

The diesels are available in a number of different guises - the 1.5 litre dCi engine comes in a choice of three power outputs, with or without a particulate filter (dCi 86, dCi 106 and dCi 110 FAP). All the diesel engines feature relatively low levels of carbon emissions (just 118g/km for the dCi 86 and 120g/km for the dCi 106) and should prove popular with those watching their carbon footprints.

The diesel engine range is topped by the 2.0 dCi which is available in a choice of power outputs, ranging from 140hp (104kW) to 160hp (120kW).

The vehicle has some interesting exterior styling, especially when viewed from the side. Renault says the car has "a plunging roofline," but we disagree. The roofline does drop from the front, which gives the driver 890mm of headroom. But the drop is much more gentle than the car maker implies. Easy access is thus given to all of the vehicle's seats and its hatch.

The Megane Estate distinguishes itself from the standard Megane hatch with its greater carrying capacity, extended wheelbase and longer rear overhang. Trunk space measures in at 524L but fold down the rear seats and this expands by an additional 119L.

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