Renault takes aim at mainstream buyers

Renault's new Megane will have wider appeal now the fat-bottomed design has been dropped. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Renault's back in NZ with a vengeance, pitching a model in each of four growth segments and entry prices designed to entice mainstream buyers.

What's new?

The latest Megane hatch in the compact class; the Fluence sedan; the Megane CC coupe-cabriolet and facelifted Koleos soft-roading SUV.

The Megane-based cars all feature smart designs noticeably less radical than their scare-the-horses predecessors.

All use Nissan-alliance engines and transmissions; all feature smart designs; six airbags, stability control and a five-star crash test rating (bar Megane-based Fluence which has yet to test); and all are highly-specified for the money.

The Megane, Fluence and CC arrive with a 2.0-litre 103kW/195Nm petrol engine - there's no diesel until the double-clutch auto comes on stream. Koleos uses a 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol, or a 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre diesel.

The company line

Renault is one of the biggest names in Europe. It's on the offensive internationally, and has a long term vision to expand down-under.

NZ General Manager Stephen Kenchington has a down-to-earth target; "In New Zealand we are the attainable Euro alternative" he says. "Being out of the market has brought some disillusionment so we'll build profitability slowly."

His aim is to overtake Citroen for Number Two French brand - not an easy exercise given his 175 target is a gargantuan leap on 2010's 14 sales.

What we say

Renault could do it, for these are handsome cars that at this specification offer hard-to-beat value even without their lingering whiff of French flair.

Megane starts with the petrol manual at $$31,990 including 16-inch alloys, ESP, six airbags, cruise control, Bluetooth and a chilled glovebox, topping out at the auto luxury-pack car with satnav, leather and park sensors at $39,990, the range priced against Hyundai's i30 and Toyota's Corolla.

CC retails at $54,990 with extra kit including the electrically-folding glass roof and is pitched directly at VW's Eos. The $34,990 auto Fluence sedan fields its 2.7-metre wheelbase, generous rear legroom and 530-litre boot to win the space race against similarly-priced Corolla and Holden's Cruze.

Koleos opens at $37,990 in 2wd petrol format and closes at $49,990 in four-paw auto diesel guise, including satnav, Bluetooth and sunblinds as standard - plus leather for the 4x4 versions.

The Renault Sport Megane Cup cars not driven at launch are the award-winning headliners and priced in the 50K zone to match.

On the road

The three Megane-based cars all feel quite different despite sharing their engines, transmissions and basic architecture. The CC delivers noticeable scuttle shake with the roof down, but a virtually windless cabin. It's a handsome and comfy cruiser, not a sports car.

Fluence feels noticeably softer, this engine-CVT auto mating very laid-back. But though the phrase 'dynamic excellence' will never apply, it's predictable and impressively capable over rough surfaces, as is Koleos.

Megane hatch is more confident through the swervery without compromising comfort, and would be the keen driver's choice - short of the tasty Cup cars.

Why you'll buy one?

Euro style, safety and flavour with generous specification at mainstream prices. There's even a Formula One link - which Kenchington hopes to underscore with a visiting F1 replica in July.

Why you won't?

You remember the Rainbow Warrior; you prefer the safety-in-numbers of mainstream brands.