The Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet (CC) adds an element of style and elegance to the New Mégane range, combining the allure of coupé comfort or open-top opulence.

Building on the success of the original Mégane CC, the new model is characterised by graceful lines and high-gloss tinted-black glass roof. Thanks to the new Mégane CC’s 4 485 mm length (an increase of 130 mm over its predecessor), and a longer 2 609 mm wheelbase (up by 87 mm), the newcomer’s silhouette is definitively sleek. It also boosts rear legroom, enhancing comfort levels for rear passengers.

The front end sports the New Mégane family’s hallmark sweeping feature line across the bonnet, underscored by the same bumper as the Coupé version. The redesigned, sculpted bootlid incorporates the upper part of the new rear light clusters, and the two LED tail light patterns create a smart rear lighting signature.

The new Mégane CC’s stand-out feature is the large folding glass roof. Enjoyed by previous Mégane II CC owners for the amount of light it lets into the cabin with the top up, as well as for the visibility it affords, this roof is not only standard equipment on the latest-generation car, but also 10 percent larger. It’s the segment’s largest folding glass roof, with a total glazed area amounting to almost one square metre.

In the new Mégane CC, the windscreen header rail has been moved forward by 60 mm compared to its predecessor. This enhances the open-air sensation, while also facilitating improved front seat access. Unique in this segment is the fixed glass wind deflector fitted as standard between the rear headrests to reduce wind noise and turbulence at up to 90 km/h with four occupants seated. An additional mesh deflector screen can be clipped into place over the back seats to provide unruffled motoring at all speeds.

The opening and closing of the two-part roof is controlled by holding down a button on the console, the roof is lowered in just 21 seconds, or raised in 22 sec.

The New Mégane CC boasts a well appointed cabin, with emphasis on comfort. Entry to both the front and rear seats is aided by a position memory function that returns the respective front seats to their original position once the rear passengers are seated.

Front occupants enjoy a class-leading 1 466 mm of elbow room, while rear passengers benefit from an additional reclining backrest angle and an extra centimetre of knee room, compared with the previous generation Mégane CC. Leather upholstery is standard, and the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable for added convenience.

Designed to carry four people and their luggage, the New Mégane CC offers a conventionally proportioned, easy-to-access boot. The luggage compartment is generously sized for the category, providing 417 dm3 in coupé configuration, and 211 dm3 with the roof stowed. The 590 mm sill height is the segment’s lowest, to make loading and unloading particularly easy.

The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet features a list of high-tech features as standard equipment. The Renault keyless card provides hands-free engine start, as well as hands-free locking of the doors and glovebox as the card-holder walks away from the car. An automatic parking brake, automatic dual-zone, three-mode climate control, Carminat TomTom satellite navigation system and directional bi-Xenon headlamps are also standard.

The New Mégane CC is based on the same technical specification as the other models in the Mégane family. The front suspension is based on a MacPherson-type arrangement with a new ‘horned’ subframe, designed to provide greater steering precision. The chassis has been tuned to ensure ride comfort, while the 160 kg weight difference between the Mégane CC and the Mégane Hatchback has led to the spring stiffness being increased front and rear.

The Mégane CC is available exclusively with the latest-generation 1.4 TCe (Turbo Control efficiency) engine, as recently introduced to the Mégane range. The 1,4-litre turbo engine conforms to the philosophy of small capacity, high efficiency and turbocharging, to reduce emissions and consumption without compromising output and resultant performance. It delivers 96 kW at 5 500 r/min, allied to 190 Nm of torque at 2 250 r/min.
The new 1.4 TCe powerplant has the added benefit of ranking among the best in class in terms of running and maintenance costs, with oil and oil filter change intervals are every 30 000 km (or every two years), while the air filter and spark plugs need changing every 60 000 km (or every four years).

Linked to a refined six-speed manual transmission, the Mégane CC 1.4 TCe achieves a combined-cycle consumption of just 7,3 l/100 km. The CO2 emissions rating is equally respectable at 169 g/km.

The New Mégane CC benefits from Renault’s acclaimed expertise in the fields of active and passive safety. Developed for the unique demands of the Coupé-Cabriolet configuration, the body structure has been extensively reinforced compared to the previous model, with comprehensive structural strengthening for improved torsional rigidity and impact protection.

In the case of a roll-over, occupants are protected by the survival cell, which is formed by the reinforced and extremely rigid A-post/windscreen pillar assembly at the front, along with roll-over hoops at the rear, which deploy automatically should an imminent roll-over be detected. The third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3), includes seat belt pre-tensioners, dual-volume adaptive front airbags, anti-submarining airbags in the front seat cushions, double side-impact crash sensors and seat-mounted dual-chamber lateral head/thorax/groin airbags.

ABS with electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with understeer control for part of the active safety systems.

Prices include a 5-year/100 000 km service plan and 5-year/150 000 km warranty.

After three thrilling days of action in front of an enthusiastic crowd, it was veteran racer Geoff Mortimer who emerged as winner of the Knysna Hillclimb which ended on Sunday.

Despite the cold weather on Saturday and the pouring rain on Sunday, Mortimer blasted his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9 Mortimer up the 1.9 km Simola Hill in 50.637 seconds to pip Wilhelm Baard (Nissan R32) by a mere 0.183 seconds.

Due to inclement weather, organisers were forced to scrap final qualifying and the final run was held under the threat of mist forcing the event to be abandoned.

The initial pacemaker was East London’s Darren Gudmanz (Nissan GT-R) who stopped the clocks on 51.895. It wasn’t long before fellow Nissan GT-R driver Des Gutzeit beat his time by a mere 0.045 sec to take over the lead.

Towards the end of the timed runs Baard stopped the clocks on 50.820 sec and it seemed as though it was all over bar the shouting.

Almost unnoticed, Mortimer crept towards the line and rocketed off the line for a superb and well deserved victory at an average speed of just over 135km/h. “I just tried to get away cleanly and get the right lines. The car was perfect …. better than the driver,” he said afterwards.

Baard was visibly dejected, almost shell shocked as he could not have gone faster. “I had some big sideways moments in a couple of places. It was interesting!”

Gutzeit couldn’t stop explaining, with an ear-to-ear grin how he was on the limit. “At the top corner it got so sideways all I could do was keep the power on and hope it would pull straight and it did, but I used every bit of road there was.

Jaki Scheckter hustled his Nissan GT-R up the hill quick enough to grab fifth place ahead of Fabio Tafani whose superhuman effort in the severely disadvantaged rear wheel drive Autohaus Angel V8 Masters car who described the run as, “scary!”

Subaru driver Anton Cronje just missed out on a top six placing, but got the biggest cheer as he’d raced at Midvaal on Saturday and driven to Knysna overnight to make the start. The fact that he’d missed both Friday and Saturday practice meant his effort was worthy of much more.

An event within an event catered for historic cars and this was almost as closely fought as the main event.

Peter Little emerged as victor as he guided his narrow tyred Cooper up the hill in 1:09.366 to pip the Ulster Imp driven by Dave Alexander by a mere 0.184 sec. Third went to Ron Hollis in an MGC Roadster. Petite Di Dugmore claimed fourth in her Austin Healy Sprite Sebring with Rodney Green (MGB) next as Heyns Stead rounded off the top six in the Miller MG special.

“The 2nd Knysna Hillclimb Presented by Renault was a resounding success and attracted a top class entry of a fascinating variety of cars and a large turnout of past and present motorsport stars,” said Ian Shrosbree of the organising committee. Motorsport stalwart Pater Kaye-Eddie said it was ‘all about the atmosphere and it is the Goodwood of South Africa.”

Title sponsors, Renault South Africa, launched their Renault Mégane RS hot hatch at the event, as well as the latest generation Renault Mégane CC.

Source: Press Release

The new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet rounds off the renewal of the New Mégane family, in style with introduction of the line-up’s sixth body type. The newcomer’s striking looks combine the elegance of a coupé with the promise of the thrills that go hand-in-hand with driving a cabriolet.

New Mégane CC builds on the strengths that forged the success of its predecessor – including a large, fully-automatic folding glass roof, which lowers in 21 seconds at the press of a button. The new Mégane CC also benefits from improvements such as a stiffer chassis and a new electric power steering system for better handling. An all-new 6-speed automatic EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission, or a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), is available on certain models in the range. Apart from its stylish redesign, small styling details, such as the high-gloss black and satin-effect chrome exterior features, add an additional touch of class.

New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is manufactured alongside Scénic and Grand Scénic at Renault’s Douai plant in France. It consequently benefits from the experience gained since the beginning of the Mégane programme, including the assembly of the former-generation Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet.

Three petrol and three diesel engines will be available in Europe. The petrol range consists of a 80 kW 1,6-litre, 103 kW 2,0-litre and a 95 kW 1,4-litre TCe turbocharged engine. The diesel line-up features available power outputs of 80 kW, 95 kW or 117 kW from the dCi engines.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard across the range, with Renault’s new 6-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission available when mated to the 80 kW diesel engine.

New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet goes on sale in Europe’s spring time, while an expected release date and engine line-up has not yet been confirmed for South Africa.