Overview: Renault Mégane Coupé Cabriolet

The specifications and launch prices of Renault’s new Mégane Coupé Cabriolet are set out in the table below.

Drivebite

The drop-top Mégane is heavy, with a fair amount of extra metalwork added to maintain torsional rigidity in the bodyshell — of which, more anon. While the fixed-roof coupé weighs 1310kg at the kerb, the open version adds 230kg for a kerb mass of 1540kg. It’s a great credit to the muscular and accessible torque of Renault’s 1870cc diesel that the Mégane never feels lethargic. Quite the reverse: this power-unit’s smoothness and energy are beyond criticism, and its ability to maintain pace with little effort from the driver is very satisfying.

Perhaps an incurable petrol-head might laugh at the F9 engine’s 3750rpm power peak, but the joke would be on him. Not only is maximum power main­tained over a good range, but the ratios of the Mégane’s six-speed gearbox are perfectly chosen. A fast and accurate gearchange, together with a torque peak of 300Nm at 1750rpm, mean that a lazy (or simply un-sporting) driver will get as much pleasure from the Mégane as an enthusiast. Some might want for more yowling noises from the power-unit, or perhaps a boomy tuned exhaust, but the Renault is too sensible for that.