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2016 Renault Megane in Australia from Sep-Oct: Two petrol engines, one diesel

Renault Australia has confirmed that it will bring three different variants of the new 2016 Megane to our market next year.


The French brand is looking to import the new Megane to Australia around September or October next year, with a choice of one diesel and two petrol models. As with the existing model, the new car will come to Australia from a Renault factory in Spain.

The petrol-powered Renault Megane GT will be the halo model of the range until a new Megane RS arrives, likely sometime in 2017. Renault Australia will continue selling the current D95 Renault Megane RS for the entirety of 2016 alongside the new car.

The new Megane measures 4359mm (+64mm) long, 1447mm high (-25mm), and 1814mm wide. The range has a kerb weight ranging from 1205kg to 1392kg depending on variant and specification.

Renault says that during development of the new car, it has conducted 710,000 kilometres of testing in conditions “designed to accelerate ageing”, which the company claims is the equivalent of 2.1 million kilometres of real-life use.

The new GT will mark the first time the top-spec Megane is offered with an automatic gearbox, as the current GT 220 is manual only.

The 2016 (though it will be a MY17 by the time it reaches Australia) Renault Megane GT is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 151kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

The engine is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will send power to the front wheels and, with the addition of Renault Sport-sourced launch control, go from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds.

It has a claimed fuel economy figure of 6L/100km in the European cycle. Australian figures will be available next year.

The entry model will be the turbocharged 1.2-litre manual TCe 130 with 97kW of power and 205Nm of torque. It will go from 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds while using 5.3L/100km in the European cycle. The car will also be offered with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, however fuel and acceleration figures for the automatic variant are yet to be confirmed.

The only turbo diesel offering will be the 1.5-litre with 81kW and 250Nm of torque, offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch only.

It will go from 0-100km/h in 12.3 seconds, while using just 3.7L/100km of fuel.

Renault will drop the existing Megane Convertible from its range once the new car arrives, or when current stock runs out. There will be no convertible available in the new range.

The GT, which is a midway point between Renault and Renault Sport, is tuned by the latter but without the hardcore aspect of its own RS cars.

The current GT220 is on sale for $35,990 ($1500 more for wagon) and we suspect Renault Australia will keep prices in line with the existing car - but with the addition of the dual-clutch transmission cost, meaning the new GT should still list for under $40,000.

The new GT will get four-wheel steering for the first time, which works at speeds below 80km/h (in sport mode, or 60km/h in normal mode) while the range also comes with a variety of active safety features including adaptive cruise control (50-140kph), active braking (30-140kph), lane departure and distance warning, blind spot warning, automatic high and low beam, 360 degree ultrasonic parking sensors.

In overseas markets, the Megane will also offer speed-sign detection and a head-up display, both of which are not coming to Australian delivered cars.

CarAdvice is currently in Portugal at the international launch of the new car. Check back soon for a review of the 2016 Renault Megane.

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