The Renault Mégane is a small family car produced since 1995 as the successor to the Renault 19. It has been offered as a three- and five-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate, and is now in its fifth generation.
Renault Mégane at a glance
| Maker | Renault, France and other plants |
|---|---|
| Production | since 1995, five generations |
| Bodies | hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible, estate |
| Replaced | Renault 19 |
| Platforms | Renault 19 for the first, C platform for the second and third, CMF-CD for the fourth |
| MPV relative | Mégane Scénic, from November 1996 |
| Award | European Car of the Year 2003 |
| Safety | first in its class with a five-star Euro NCAP rating |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Mégane.
History of the Renault Mégane
From the Renault 19
The first-generation Mégane was largely based on its predecessor, the Renault 19, using modified versions of that car’s drivetrain and chassis. In November 1996 the Mégane Scénic compact MPV was added, using the same mechanical components as the hatchback; it later became a model range of its own.
The second and third generations
For 2002 the Mégane entered its second generation with a substantial redesign and was voted European Car of the Year for 2003, also becoming the first car in its class to receive a five-star Euro NCAP rating. It was based on the Renault-Nissan C platform, as was the third generation of 2008, which used another completely different design; for that generation the saloon version became known as the Renault Fluence and was introduced in 2009.
The fourth and fifth generations
The fourth-generation Mégane was launched in 2015 on the CMF-CD platform, shared with the Renault Talisman and Renault Scénic, and the model has since moved into its fifth incarnation. The Mégane has also been the basis of Renault’s sporting range, with Renault Sport versions built through several generations.
Design and features
- Body-style variety: hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate over the range.
- Car of the Year 2003: the second generation won the European title.
- Five-star safety: the first car in its class with a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
- Scénic origins: the compact MPV started life as a Mégane version in 1996.
Renault Mégane versions
- Mégane I (1995): the original range on Renault 19 mechanicals.
- Mégane II (2002): European Car of the Year 2003.
- Mégane III (2008): with the saloon renamed Fluence.
- Mégane IV (2015): on the CMF-CD platform.
- Mégane R.S.: the Renault Sport versions.
The Mégane replaced the Renault 19 and gave its platform to the Renault Scénic, while its saloon became the Renault Fluence. More cars are in the Renault collection.
Video: Renault Megane 2.0 TCe 220 road test
Video by auto motor und sport on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault Mégane, English Wikipedia: generations, platforms, awards, body styles
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