Pity that this sleek Renault sedan won’t be making its way here any time soon.
While Malaysians most probably associate the Renault Megane with the RS variant that is sold locally, there are other non-hot hatch offerings available for this popular French hatchback in other markets. This includes a sedan variant, such as the one you see here that is recently received a facelift.
Much like what the Focus Sedan is to the Focus, the new Megane Sedan is essentially a booted variant of the Megane hatchback. First launched in 2016 with this new sixth generation French family car, this new facelift adds a subtle new look and some tech upgrades to this popular offering that has since sold 200,000 units in 30 countries over the last four years.
From the outside, the facelift brings with it a new cleaner front bumper design and a shinier chrome front grille. This is in addition to the air deflectors that feature on the front of the wheel arches to improve aerodynamics.
Its distinctive C-shaped headlights also now gain new LED signatures, bringing it closer in line to the current corporate Renault front end aesthetic. A new fender design and door handle lighting completes the exterior facelift.
Stepping inside, the new booted Megane now incorporates a 9.3 inch central infotainment screen with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.2 inch digital instrument cluster with customisable widgets and GPS integration is also standard on the higher trim levels. Other highlights on the interior include a new electrochromic borderless rear view mirror, not to mention an electronically adjustable driver’s seat, new upholstery and interior ambient lighting.
As for safety tech, the new Megane Sedan is relatively well kitted out in this department. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go functionality, Active Emergency Braking System with pedestrian detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are among the new features that add to the existing active driver aids on this French saloon, such as Lane Departure Warning, Drowsiness Alert, Blind Spot Warning and an auto-hold electronic parking brake.
Under the hood too, a 115 hp 1.0 turbocharged TCe direct-injection engine joins the ranks of the currently available 140 hp 1.3 litre TCe petrol unit and the 115 hp 1.5 litre Blue dCi diesel power plant. All of which are Euro 6 compliant.
Available in right hand drive, it does then beg the question as to why this Megane Sedan is not offered in Malaysia. If it did come, it would be a stylish alternative to cars like the Mazda3 and Hyundai Ioniq. That said, seeing as how these other cars sold, and judging by how the prior Renault sedan, the Fluence fared on the Malaysian market, you could see why this stylish French sedan won’t be available here anytime soon.
PRESS RELEASE: Highly appreciated by customers looking for a distinguished saloon in the C segment, the Renault Mégane Sedan has sold 200,000 units since its launch in 2016. Marketed in nearly thirty countries, it contributes to the development of the Renault brand internationally. With a more refined design, the New Mégane Sedan is equipped with the latest technologies for ever greater safety and comfort on the road. It asserts its style and reinforces its appeal to demanding customers.
Elegant and refined design
The New Renault Mégane Sedan integrates 100% Pure Vision LED technology, which is more efficient on the road, as well as the emblematic Renault C-Shape light signature (C-Shape).
At the front, it has a new bumper and a new grille incorporating chrome elements. Air deflectors appear at the front of the wheel arches for improved aerodynamics. On its sides, the New Mégane Sedan benefits from a new fender design and door handle lighting.
The New Renault Mégane Sedan is available in seven exterior colours, including the new Highland Grey. New wheels from 16 to 18 inches are also available.
An ergonomic, modernised and comfortable interior
The New Renault Mégane Sedan is equipped with a digital dashboard up to 10.2 inches. It integrates GPS navigation (depending on country) to personalise the driving experience in a very intuitive way.
The dashboard also incorporates (depending on trim level) a new 9.3-inch multimedia screen for a display that is twice as large. This vertical shelf modernises the passenger compartment. With its new Renault EASY LINK connected multimedia system, it offers all the navigation and infotainment features, as well as MULTI-SENSE settings. For greater ergonomics, the driving aid controls are grouped together on the steering wheel and the console controls are more accessible, such as the temperature display.
The New Mégane Sedan is also equipped with an electrochromic borderless interior rear-view mirror and chrome finishes on the air conditioning controls. New upholstery completes the interior. The driver now has an electrically adjustable seat for a more comfortable driving position.
Personalised driving experience
Benefiting from a new, more fluid and intuitive interface, the Renault EASY LINK multimedia system uses the same codes and uses as the smartphone and integrates voice recognition, telephony with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, as well as navigation with Google address search, fuel prices and real-time traffic information. Through the Renault EASY CONNECT offer (depending on the country), the MY Renault smartphone application facilitates new uses of connected mobility both inside and outside the vehicle: vehicle location, door-to-door navigation, etc.
Featuring four driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and MySense – depending on the engine), Renault MULTI-SENSE technology is evolving to make the driving experience even more immersive. New features include improved ergonomics for greater intuitiveness and simplified settings, new ambient colours, and the R-Sound application for engine sound.
The dashboard’s digital displays (7 and 10.2 inch) offer a display area that can be customised by widgets, such as fuel consumption in Eco mode and power in Sport mode.
New driving aids to improve safety
The New Renault Mégane Sedan incorporates new driving aids to make driving safer and more pleasant:
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function maintains the distance between the vehicle and the one in front at a certain speed and regulates the vehicle’s acceleration and braking.
- The Active Emergency Braking System is enhanced with pedestrian detection. It maximises safety by alerting the driver to a dangerous situation and can apply the brakes if the driver fails to react.
- The Rear Cross Traffic Alert detects an approaching obstacle and warns the driver when reversing.
In addition, the Auto-Hold function of the handbrake, which allows the driver to remain stationary with the brake released, has been improved for greater comfort in town. The New Mégane Sedan continues to include aids that ensure safer and more comfortable driving, such as Lane Departure Warning, Drowsiness Alert and Blind Spot Warning.
A range of motorisations enhanced with the 1.0 TCe
The New Renault Mégane Sedan offers a wider range of engines, adapted to the many different customer uses, and compatible with the new regulations set by the Euro 6D FULL standard:
- In petrol, it offers the all-new 1.0 TCe direct-injection engine in an efficient 115 hp version (with manual transmission) optimised to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The 1.3 TCe engine, equipped with a particulate filter, also remains available in a 140 hp version (with 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed EDC double-clutch automatic transmission.
- In diesel, the 1.5 Blue dCi engine is available in 115 hp version (with 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed EDC double-clutch automatic transmission).
