History and characteristics of Renault Megane cars

Renault Megane - compact family car (C-segment), produced by a French company «Renault» from 1995 to the present. Came to replace «Renault 19», which has been in production since 1988. Body styles were sedan, hatchback, station wagon, coupe and convertible. In November 1996, a minivan appeared (MPV) with the title «Megane Scenic», which was mechanically identical to the hatchback. The engine is front transverse with front wheel drive. To date, the fourth generation of this car is being produced. In total, more than 9.7 million copies were produced in the first three generations. In 2003, the second generation Megan was named European Car of the Year.

At the moment, the main classmates and competitors are the following cars from other companies - Chery Bonus, Citroen C4, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia ceed, Kia Cerato, Mazda 3, Lada Samara, Lada Vesta, Lifan Breez, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Almera, Opel Astra, Peugeot 308, SEAT Leon, Scoda Octavia, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Allion and Volksvagen Golf.

First generation (1995-2002)

The development of Magan began in 1990 and soon four small-scale and then full-scale models were built. One option was chosen, which was developed by Michel Jardin. At the end of 1992, the first prototypes were built. In September 1995, the car was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Outwardly, he was similar to his predecessor «Renault 19», the mechanical part was also from its predecessor, but heavily modernized. The body was a four-door sedan (length 4436-4400 mm), five-door hatchback (length 4129-4164 mm) and station wagon (4437 mm), as well as two-door coupes (length 3931-3967 mm) and convertible (length 4081 mm). The width of the car was 1699 mm, height 1365-1420 mm, wheelbase 2580 mm and curb weight 1010-1090 kg. Assembly facilities were located in Argentina (release before 2009), Belgium, Spain, Indonesia, Colombia, Turkey and France. In total, about 5 million first-generation cars were produced.

The petrol engines were all four-cylinder in-line with the following parameters:

• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, E7J, 8 valves, 70 and 75 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, K4J, 16 valves, 98 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K7M, 8 valves, 90 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K4M, 16 valves, 110 hp)
• 1.8 liters (1783 cm³, F4P, 16 valves, 120 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F3R, 8 valves, 115 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4R/F7R, 16 valves, 139/150 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F5R, GDI, 16 valves, 140 hp)

Diesel engines were 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, F8Q/F9Q) 65, 80, 95, 100 and 106 hp. Gearbox four-speed automatic or five-speed manual.

It was the company's first car to put safety first. All seat belts were three-point including the middle rear seat, the front belts were with pretensioners and load limiters, driver and front passenger airbags and a special safety structure ahead of the competition of the time. European Committee «Euro NCAP» crash tested in 1998 and awarded a four-star safety rating, which was the best in its class at the time. In 1999, they also carried out crash tests of the hatchback, see the results in the tables.


In the spring of 1999, the model was updated, changing the grille, more advanced safety features, upgraded equipment and leaving only 16-valve gasoline engines.

Second generation (2002-2009)

The second generation was launched in September 2002 with a completely new design and received an award «European car 2003». Platform based «Renault C», which is also used for «Scenic», «Koleos» and some cars «Nissan». Megan has become a showcase for the company's innovative technologies, for example, for the first time it has a keyless ignition system (the key was in the form of a plastic card) and has since become widespread. For the first time in this class, a panoramic glass sunroof was used.

Body types were produced as follows - four-door sedan (length 4498 mm, width 1777 mm, height 1465 mm, wheelbase 2686 mm), three-door or five-door hatchback (length 4209 mm, width 1777 mm, height 1458 mm, wheelbase 2625 mm), five-door station wagon (length 4498 mm, width 1777 mm, height 1505 mm, wheelbase 2686 mm), as well as a two-door convertible (length 4355 mm, width 1777 mm, height 1420 mm, wheelbase 2522 mm). The curb weight of the car was 1175-1190 kg. Production facilities were located in Brazil, Iran, Spain, Indonesia, Turkey and France. In total, about 3.1 million were produced «Megane» second generation.

The line of gasoline engines is a four-cylinder in-line with 16 valves of the following characteristics - 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, K4J, 80/97 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K4M, 116 hp), 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4R, 134 hp) and 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4RT, 163 hp). The range of diesel engines is as follows - 1.5 liters (1461 cm³, K9K, 79/85/99/105 hp), 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, F9Q, 118/128 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, M9R, 148 hp). The transmission was a four-speed automatic or a five- and six-speed manual.

In 2002 the European Committee «Euro NCAP» crash tested the hatchback to determine its safety rating and awarded it five stars, a first for a compact car. In June 2003, a British TV show «Top Gear» conducted the first ever crash test involving a real driver, not a car dummy «Megane» second generation.

In January 2006, they carried out a restyling. They changed the front of the car, interior trim, applied a new front suspension system, which improved driving performance.

Third generation (2008-2016)

The concept car was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, and the third generation production cars went on sale in October 2008. They gather on the platform «Renault C», which is also based «Fluence», «Kangoo», «Koleos», «Scenic» and some company models «Nissan». Body types in chronological order were as follows - five-door hatchback (length 4295 mm, width 1808 mm, height 1471 mm, wheelbase 2641 mm), two-door coupe (length 4299 mm, width 1804 mm, height 1423 mm, wheelbase 2640 mm), five-door station wagon (length 4559 mm, width 1804 mm, height 1507 mm, wheelbase 2703 mm) and two-door coupe-cabriolet (length 4485 mm, width 1810 mm, height 1434 mm, wheelbase 2609 mm). The car was assembled in Spain, Turkey and France. In eight years, about 1.6 million copies were produced.

Gasoline engines were all four-cylinder in-line of the following parameters:

• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, H5Ft, turbo, Stop&Start, 113/128 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1397 cm³, H4J, TCe, 128 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K4M, VVT, 99/110 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, HR16DE, CVT, 112 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, M4R, CVT, 141 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4RT, TCe, turbo, 178/217 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4RT, RS, turbo, 247/261/271 hp)

Diesel engines were also four-cylinder 1.5-liter (1461 cm³, K9K, dCi, 84/89/104/108 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, R9M, dCi, 128 hp), 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, F9Q, dCi, 128 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, M9R, dCi, 148/158 hp). The transmission was a six- or five-speed manual, six-speed automatic «JATCO JF613E», as well as a stepless variator (CVT).

In 2009 the European Committee «EuroNCAP» gave Megan five stars after crash testing. In 2012, the first update of the model was carried out - the appearance was slightly changed and three new engines were added. In 2014, another update followed - the hatchback, station wagon and coupe were brought into line with the new design of other cars in the lineup «Renault», and updated engines.

Fourth generation (2016-present time)

The fourth generation was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015 and sales began in July 2016. station wagon (Sport Tourer) was shown at the Geneva Motor Show 2016. The car is based on a platform «CMF-CD», developed «Renault» and «Nissan» and is also used for «Espace», «Kadjar», «Koleos», «Scenic» and some company models «Nissan». Body types were four-door sedan (length 4632 mm, width 1814 mm, height 1443 mm, wheelbase 2711 mm) or five-door hatchback (length 4359 mm, width 1814 mm, height 1447 mm, wheelbase 2669 mm) and station wagon (length 4626 mm, width 1814 mm, height 1449 mm, wheelbase 2712). The curb weight of the car was 1205-1315 kg. Assembly shops were located in Spain and Turkey.

The range of gasoline engines consists of the following models - 1.2 liters (1197 cm³, H5Ft, TCe, turbo, 100/130 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, H4M, SCe, 115 hp), 1.6 liters (1618 cm³, M5Mt, TCe, turbo, 165/205 hp), 1.8 liters (1798 cm³, M5Pt, TCe, turbo, 280 hp) and 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, M4R, SCe, 140 hp). There were two diesel engines with a volume of 1.5 liters (1461 cm³, K9K, dCi, turbo, 90/110 hp) and 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, R9M, dCi, turbo, 130/165 hp). Transmission 6-speed manual, 6- or 7-speed automatic or CVT (CVT).

fourth generation «Mégane» larger and lower than its predecessor. The suspension is made up of MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion bar at the rear. Disc brakes on all wheels. The driver can choose from five driving modes that change the car's settings. Options include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, speed limit warning, blind spot monitoring, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and a hands-free automatic parking system.

Megan 4, 2016 year, station wagon

Megan 4, 2016 year, hatchback

Megan 4, 2017 year, interior