Mégane’s ride and cabin up with best
Continued from page 1 body feel that elicited no rattles or sqeaks. Partly responsible for this classy ride is a lengthened wheelbase, which has also made for a roomier cabin that now more comfortably seats long-limbed passengers. The interior’s also been spruced up using soft-touch materials, contrasting colours and ambient lighting to create one of the richest-feeling cabins in the class.
Mégane 4 comes in three trim levels and a choice of three petrol engines.
The entry-level Mégane Dynamique version is a well-priced, normally-aspirated 1.6 (not available to drive at the media launch) with outputs of 84kW and 156Nm, available in five-speed manual only with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km.
Standard equipment across the range is pretty comprehensive and includes dual climate control, audio system, cruise control, rear-park distance control, and automatic lights and wipers. ABS brakes, hill start assist and stability control are part of the package too, as are front, side and curtain airbags (new Mégane comes with a maximum five-star EuroNcap crash rating).
More spec and power is available in the GT Line which comes with a 97kW/205Nm 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine and a choice of six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto called EDC. The auto I drove at the launch was an easygoing and notably quiet performer, with none of the buzziness expected of a small engine, and its claimed 5.3 litres per 100km is very wallet-friendly if true.
The range-topper is the Mégane GT, moved along by a 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine and available only in EDC auto. It falls under true hot-hatch status but has Range-topping Mégane GT has rear wheel steering. reasonably lively get-up-and-go that made for entertaining progress around Red Star.
No diesel derivative is planned but a hot-performing RS version should arrive some time down the line.
The GT Line and GT come with a Multisense system that allows a driver to personalise drive settings between neutral, comfort or sport. At the touch of a button it changes the responses of the engine, steering, transmission, all-wheel steering, engine sound, and even the ambient lighting.
Leather seats in the GT Line (stylish Alcantara dark & blue in the flagship GT), heated driver’s seat and larger mag wheels distinguish the upper models, which also come with a large tablet-sized touchscreen that bundles together the infotainment functions, including navigation. The infotainment takes a little getting used to; sometimes one has to dig deep into the electronic menu to find basic features, instead of having quick-access keys on the dashboard.
Hands-free parking and blind-spot assist are optional features, as is an electric panoramic sunroof.
The range is priced reasonably competitively except at 450 grand the GT’s expensive against similarly-powered rivals like the Peugeot 308 GT and Ford Focus 1.5T. Alcantara seats in flagship GT.
This is a very competitive segment and Mégane also has to get its ooh la la going against hatchbacks like the Auris, Civic, Astra, i30, Cerato, and Mazda3. It may have lost some of its styling chic, but the ride quality and smart cabin are right up there with the best. PRICES Mégane 1.6 Dynamique – R279 900 Mégane 1.2T GT-Line – R339 900 Mégane 1.2T GT-Line auto – R354 900 Mégane GT auto – R449 900 All versions standard with 5-year/150 000km warranty and 5-year/90 000km service plan. Services take place at 15 000 km intervals (10 000km on Megane GT).