Renault takes wraps off New Megane Sport Tourer

New Megane Sport Tourer boasts vast carrying capacity and could hardly be more driver-friendly, while its dynamic, elegant lines give it undeniable sporting appeal. The newcomer boasts a raft of high-tech equipment, too, including Carminat TomTom, a new, fully-integrated satnav system.

Compared with New Megane Hatch, the extended wheelbase and rear overhang have freed up additional cabin space for occupants, as well as extra carrying capacity. The new range comes with a wide choice of engines which combine performance and respect for the environment, including the new TCe 130 petrol unit.

[B]DYNAMIC STYLING[/B]

In addition to its dynamic looks, the new Megane Sport Tourer has a distinctive character and lives up to the pledge made at the time of the hatchback version's release that every member of the New Renault Megane family would have its own, clear-cut personality.

The Sport Tourer features identical frontal styling to that of the hatchback version, including the characteristic lines that swoop down from the windscreen pillars to converge on the logo at the centre of the bonnet.

Special attention has been paid to quality thanks to a careful choice of forms and materials. In the cabin, the accent has been on the durability and quality of the materials - which have been selected to be pleasant to the touch - and on exemplary fit-and-finish.

Thanks to its generous dimensions and elegant, dynamic styling, the new Megane Sport Tourer exudes sporting appeal without detracting in any way from its user-friendliness or carrying capacity.

[B]PRACTICAL AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED[/B]

The car features a roomy, modular interior, plus generous carrying capacity which can be adapted to suit a broad variety of uses.

The Sport Tourer's boot volume of 524 litres (up to parcel shelf) ranks it among the best in its segment. Total carrying capacity can be extended up to 1,595 litres with the rear seats fully folded, while access to the boot is facilitated by its low sill height: 561mm, the lowest in its class.

Rear passengers also benefit from the extended wheelbase since they benefit from comfortable kneeroom of 218mm. The driver, meanwhile, will appreciate the comfortable, practical driving environment. Front elbow room figures among the segment's best at 1,476mm, and the height-adjustable driver's seat travels through a segment-topping 70mm.

[B]REASSURING ROADHOLDING[/B]

All the handling-related enhancements seen on New Mgane Hatch have been carried over to New Megane Sport Tourer

Technically, it shares the same genes as the rest of the New Mgane family, including MacPherson-type front suspension combined with a horned subframe, plus a closed-section torsion beam at the rear, while the new Megane Sport Tourer's extended wheelbase also contributes to its remarkable stability.

The petrol engine line-up comprises five powertrains, including the new TCe 130 engine which is available from launch. Developed within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the TCe 130 showcases the expertise that the brand has acquired in downsizing. This 1.4-litre unit boasts the torque of a 2-litre engine and the power of a 1.8, yet its CO2 emissions are less than those of a 1.6. The TCe 130 also figures at the top-end of its class in terms of running and maintenance costs. Its reliable, durable timing chain favours acoustic comfort, while oil change intervals are every 29,000 kilometers (or every two years).

New Megane Sport Tourer can also be ordered with 100hp and 110hp 1.6 litre engines that drive through manual five- or six-speed gearboxes respectively.

The 2.0 140hp engine is available with gearshift-free CVT (continuously variable transmission) for even greater driving comfort.

The petrol engine line-up is rounded off by the TCe 180, an evolution of the 2.0 litre which combines outstanding response with outstanding flexibility at low revs.

[B]QUALITY AND SAFETY EXPERTISE[/B]

Like all the members of the new Megane family, the new Megane Sport Tourer has been designed to deliver impeccable passive and active safety.

A long list of equipment is available to help drivers anticipate risk situations:

* seatbelt reminder warning lights for all five seats,
* tyre pressure monitoring system,
* bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering lights,
* automatic headlamp activation,
* automatic windscreen wiper activation,
* cruise control
* speed limiter

The new Megane Sport Tourer also comes with the same passive safety features and systems that helped New Megane Hatch score the maximum possible score of 37 points (from 37) in the Euro NCAP crash tests, namely a programmed deformation structure combined with the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) which affords best-level protection in accidents for all occupants.

The car also benefits fully from the considerable progress achieved by Renault in terms of quality and durability. For example: as seen on New Laguna, the hands-free card - complete with automatic central locking as the driver walks away from the car - has been redesigned to make it even more robust. The battery is now located in a sealed compartment to enable it to stand up to the increasingly demanding validation tests (e.g. washing machine test).

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090305200444798.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090305200425994.jpg[/IMG]

Credits: JRC