Renault out to revive NZ's French connection

Renault's 2011 Megane hatch will have wider appeal than its big-bottomed predecessor. Photo / Supplied

Renault's 2011 Megane hatch will have wider appeal than its big-bottomed predecessor.

Renault says it is back in New Zealand for the long term, after being virtually absent from the market for four years.

How absent? It sold 180 cars in 2007, 110 in 2009, 100 in 2010. Last month it sold seven. Now it wants to take on allcomers with a range of models drawn from Renault plants scattered far and wide.

There's the five-door Megane hatchback from Turkey, the Megane coupe and convertible from France, the go-fast three-door Megane RS250 from Spain, and the four-door Fluence sedan and Koleos SUV from South Korea.

The French carmaker figures on selling 175 vehicles by Christmas, made up of 66 Megane hatchbacks, 11 coupe/convertibles, 17 RS250 units, 23 Fluence sedans, and 50 Koleos SUVs.

It plans to push sales with a new mission statement - "Drive the change", tagging Renault as the "attainable European alternative" - through its four nationwide dealers: two in Auckland, one each in Wellington and Christchurch. Service and parts dealers are in Tauranga, Hastings and Nelson.

It will also push the company's safety innovations - it was the first carmaker to be awarded the maximum five stars for crash safety for its entire passenger car range - and standard level of equipment.

"Renault is investing proactively in New Zealand for growth," said general manager Stephen Kenchington. "This is one of the key pillars, resetting expectations of what Europeans can offer in the light and small car segments by equipping them with standard safety and convenience features previously available only optionally or in larger, more expensive vehicles."

Pricing gets off on the right foot. The new Megane hatchback costs between $31,990 and $39,990. The design doesn't polarise as much as the previous model and its big bum did. The interior is smart, with soft-touch plastics helping its appearance.

Back seat room is adequate, but the boot has plenty of room. The full-sized spare wheel is housed under the rear of the car. Ride and handling is secure and predictable.

The five-door Megane, Megane CC ($54,990) and Fluence ($34,990) all use a 2-litre petrol engine delivering 103kW at 6000rpm and 195Nm at 3750rpm and carrying an emissions rating of Euro4 or Euro5.

The hatchback comes with the choice of six-speed manual gearbox or CVT. The CC and Fluence have a CVT unit only. Renault will aim Fluence at the Holden Cruze.

Koleos is priced between $37,990 and $49,990. There are two petrol models, one with two-wheel drive, the other a four-paw.

The engine is a 2.5-litre unit giving 126kW at 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4400rpm and mated to a CVT unit.

The remaining diesel four-wheel-drive uses a boosted 2-litre engine putting out 110kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm at 2000rpm. Gearbox is a six-speed automatic.

The RS250 is due in the next month or so, when the price will be available. Expect a tad over $50,000.

Renault is offering a three-year/100,000km warranty in New Zealand and a five-year deal in Australia.