Renault has released the first images of the Mégane 2012, including refreshed front stylingand more frugal engines.

For 2012, Mégane has undergone a number of small styling changes to freshen up the model’s original lines. The front end has a more modern feel, while LED daytime running lights provide a distinctive new lighting signature. The bumper features a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, and the selection of wheels has been entirely revised. The sum of these modifications mirrors the attention that has been paid to quality, an area which Renault sees as a priority.

Meanwhile, the cabin comes with new interior trims, including a two-tone leather pack available in a choice of two finishes in the UK. The personality of the specific GT-Line finishes has also been enhanced inside and out thanks to specific ‘boomerang’-shaped LED lights, visible red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, plus Renault Sport-badged door sill guards and dashboard trim strip, serving as a reminder that it belongs to the Renaultsport family. Last but not least, the list of body colours available for Mégane 2012 has been extended with the addition of Azzurro Blue and Arctic White.

Mégane 2012 is the first Renault model to be available with the three new Stop & Start engines which combine both motoring enjoyment and fuel efficiency. They are the fruit of new-generation downsizing and call on Renault’s experience in F1 to form unprecedented technology packages for this level of range, including Stop & Start complete with deceleration/braking energy recovery. Thanks to their carefully-tuned acoustics, these engines produce a discreet, cushioned sound, with noise levels halved compared with the engines they replace.

Mégane 2012 will also be available with the two best diesel engines in their class, both of which combine driving pleasure with the market’s lowest fuel consumption.

– New diesel dCi 110 Stop & Start: the Mégane range’s best-selling 1.5 dCi engine has undergone a significant metamorphosis with the introduction of technology first introduced in 2011 on the 1.6 dCi 130, not to mention record low fuel consumption which has been improved by 15 per cent to 80.7mpg. This is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 90g/km and makes Mégane one of its segment’s top three models in terms of energy efficiency. There has been no corresponding fall-off in performance, however, since peak torque is up 20Nm to 260Nm, which is available from as low as 1,750rpm.
– Renault dCi 130 Stop & Start: this 1.6-litre diesel engine delivers 130 horsepower and 320Nm of torque, making it one of the market’s most powerful powerplants for its size. It is also a pleasure to drive thanks to crisp acceleration performance from as low as 1,750rpm. Under the bonnet of Mégane, it returns combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 70.6mpg, which is a 20 per cent saving compared to the former 1.9 dCi 130 engine. CO2 emissions stand at 104g/km.

More than ever, enhancing everyday safety, making driving easier and maximising travelling comfort are seen as priorities for Renault.
Like Renault Scénic and Grand Scénic, Mégane 2012 can be ordered with the Visio System which comprises a camera fixed to the windscreen behind the rear view mirror. It improves night-time vision and helps maintain driver vigilance thanks to two functions which it is the first system of its type to feature.
– Automatically switches from main- to dipped-beam headlights: night-time driving calls for total vigilance, especially when it comes to optimising lighting in order to benefit from maximum visibility without being a hindrance for other road users. The Visio System camera improves night-time vision by permanently scanning the road ahead. Whenever natural or street lighting is poor, and when no other vehicles are detected, it automatically switches to full-beam headlights at speeds of more than 28 mph. Remembering to switch back to dipped beam is no longer a constraint and the Visio System® permits the driver to benefit from full-beam headlights between four and five times longer than is the case without the system. Visibility is enhanced (100 metres instead of 30 metres) and there is less risk of colliding with an obstacle.
– Lane departure warning: the camera emits a warning if it believes that the vehicle has involuntarily changed lanes, an occurrence frequently due to drowsiness or a drop in driver vigilance, and a major cause of accidents, especially on motorways. If lane markings are crossed without the indicators having been being activated, visible and audible warnings are automatically activated.

Comfort has been further enhanced by a new Hill Start Assist function. This feature is combined with the electronic parking brake and keeps the brakes under pressure for a few seconds, giving the driver enough time to pull away without the vehicle moving backwards. Meanwhile, Motorway Mode indicators facilitate driving: a slight touch of the indicator stalk sets off three flashes to warn other road users that the driver is about to change lane. To assist parking manoeuvres, a camera located at the rear provides a precise image of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings and depicts its trajectory to help drivers adjust their line. Last but not least, the dual-zone automatic climate control is now equipped with a quality sensor which monitors cabin air quality and automatically activates the air-recycling mode whenever necessary.

Mégane 2012 continues to pack the technologies that have contributed to the model’s success. All radios are now equipped with Bluetooth hands-free telephony, connectivity and audio-streaming, as well as multi-functional TunePoint  and USB/jack sockets which enable music stored on mobile devices to be controlled by the vehicle’s steering wheel-mounted fingertip control. Also available are Carminat TomTom navigation complete with LIVE services (HD Traffic, real-time traffic information, etc.) and tailor-engineered Bose surround sound.