The Evolution Of The Renault Megane

The Renault Megane has been in production since 1995. The French automaker offers this car in a variety of body styles including hatchback, convertible and coupe. It is a family car with sleek styling and many features.

This car was introduced as the Renault 19 was exiting production. It is similar to its predecessor in design with some varied styling such as the "bird beak" front grill. Safety upgrades were also incorporated. The middle back seat lap belt was replaced with a 3 point harness.

The System for Restraint and Production or SRP was also a new feature. This system provides for restraint via integration of the seat, airbag, load limiter and seat belt processes. All of these added safety features resulted in a four star safety rating in 1998.

The E (energy) type engine was offered in 1.4-1.8 L and the F-type came in the form of 1.9 -2.0 L. The 1.9 L as diesel and the 2.0 as gasoline. The diesel could also include a turbocharge feature.

The Megane was restyled for the 2002 production year. In 2003, the car was named the European Car of the Year and was bumped up to a 5 star crash rating. Both were major accomplishments for the automobile and its maker.

After some changes in 2006 including a front nose and interior trim redesign, a third major restyling came in 2008 in response to competition in the industry. That year brought the Berline and Coupe options. The choice provided options for those wanting a conservative look in the Berline. The Coupe featured a sporty style.

The Renault Megane is a car with international appeal. A flex fuel option can be found in Brazil that can run on standard unleaded gasoline, ethanol or a mixture of the two. Renault is looking toward the future with an electric version with a lifetime warranty. This incarnation will also feature an innovative payment design patterned after the mobile phone industry.