2010 Renault Megane Estate

Elegant, dynamic styling

The launch of New Renault Mégane Estate rounds off the Mégane family. Its new, dynamic, distinctive looks are the result of the far-reaching look at styling which was taken at the very beginning of the programme. New Mégane Estate’s sporty lines contrast with the conventional ’utility vehicle’ approach which has all too often been applied to the majority of estate cars in this segment. It makes no concessions, however, regarding either its load-carrying ability or modularity which continue to be key considerations for purchasers of this type of vehicle. New Mégane Estate’s longer wheelbase compared with that of New Mégane Hatchback (+62mm) ensures a pleasing, balanced styling package which is reinforced by its fluid, uncluttered, dynamic character line which runs along the flanks to the rear lights.

The combination of the roofline, low-profile windows and rake of the rear screen suggest forward movement and exude an unmistakable sense of elegance. The chrome longitudinal roofbars add a further touch of character. The elegance of the side-view carries over to the design of rear end. The Renault logo is highlighted by an indentation at the base of the rear screen, while the curved forms of the two-part rear lights (with one part on the tailgate) ensure an extremely distinctive rear-end signature. New Mégane Estate’s bold wheel arches and generous, rounded forms express a prevailing impression of power and robustness.

GENEROUS DIMENSIONS ENSURE A HIGH STANDARD OF COMFORT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS

New Renault Mégane Estate is 4.56 metres long and comfortably accommodates up to five adults with luggage. The driver and front passenger benefit from headroom of 890mm (with seat angle at 14 degrees) and elbowroom of 1,475mm, figures which count among the best in the compact estate segment. Careful attention has been paid to ensure that the driving environment is as driver-friendly as possible. Drivers of all builds will have no trouble finding the ideal seating position thanks to the numerous adjustment possibilities offered by the lumbar-adjustable, reclining driver’s seat (segmentleading cushion-height adjustment of 70mm, fore/aft travel of 240mm and fore/aft headrest adjustment).

The steering wheel is also height- and reach-adjustable (through 5.1 degrees and 45mm respectively), while the pedal spacing has been made more comfortable. The brake pedal is 30mm wider and the gap with the accelerator pedal has been extended by 10mm to enable the driver’s foot to switch more confidently and more swiftly to the middle pedal when braking. Rear passengers benefit directly from the 62mm-increase in wheelbase compared with Mégane Hatchback which provides 218mm of kneeroom (61mm more than Mégane Hatchback), putting the newcomer among the best in its segment.

CARRYING CAPACITY AND MODULARITY ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF ALL CUSTOMERS

New Renault Mégane Estate has one of the biggest boots of its segment. Its volume extends from 524dm3 (including 38dm3 underneath the floor) to almost 1,600dm3 as a function of the needs of the moment. The modular seat layout enables loads of up to 2,550mm in length to be carried.

Compared with Mégane II Estate, access to the boot has been improved thanks to a boot sill height of 561mm, which is among the lowest of the segment.

In addition to being easier to access, New Mégane Estate’s large boot is practical, too, and can be divided into two compartments thanks to a semi-rigid wall which lifts and locks into place in an instant. This creates a handy compartment just inside the boot where small items can be carried. Underneath, two additional stowage spaces totalling five litres enable items such as the warning triangle and safety vest to be kept.

A further 33dm3 of stowage space has been freed up underneath the boot floor in the space where the spare wheel would normally be found. Indeed, New Renault Mégane Estate comes with a tyre repair kit as standard, although a spare wheel can be ordered as an option at the same time as the vehicle (depending on market).

To meet the wide-ranging needs of its customers, New Renault Mégane Estate’s interior is particularly modular:

• the 60/40-split folding rear seat enables owners to increase carrying capacity in a single movement. A support is automatically deployed underneath the folded seat to provide a flat, slightlysloped surface across which it is possible to slide a package without being hindered by the folded rear seatback,
• the forward-folding front seatback combines with the above arrangement to permit loads of up to 2,550mm in length to be carried,
• the boot converts into an estate arrangement with a flat floor and a carrying capacity of 1,516dm3 by simply folding the cushion and seatback of the 60/40-split rear seat forward. (Does K95 have the ‘Super-fold’ system as fitted to Laguna estate?

New Renault Mégane Estate comes with a removable baggage cover which can be stored in a bespoke compartment behind the folded rear seatback when carrying bulky loads. Occupants benefit from 25 litres of stowage space around the cabin, including a nine-litre gearbox, a 5.6-litre cubby in the centre console stowage unit, front and rear door bins, underfloor compartments at the front and map pockets on the backs of the front seats.

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