Megane hatch
The model available to drive at last week's launch was a Turkish- built $34,990 2.0-litre CVT fitted with a Luxury pack that took the price to $39,990. For that extra five grand the hatch gets navigation, a black leather interior, dual climate-control air conditioning, and rear parking sensors.
Whereas the previous- generation Megane was a distinctive-looking hatchback with a memorable rear end that looked a little like a bustle from a 19th Century ladies' dress, this latest model is a lot more conventional in appearance.
It is powered by a Renault- Nissan 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops maximum power of 103 kilowatts at 6000 rpm, with the top torque of 195 newton metres reached at 3750 rpm.
I found this to be a beautiful hatch to drive in the classic European sense, as an enthusiastic blast through some northern Waikato countryside quickly proved. You simply hung on to the Megane's chunky steering wheel and let it ride through the corners and bends.
If this standard Megane is this good, I can't wait to drive an updated RS250 version which is expected later in the year.
Megane CC
"Sometimes a coupe, always a cabriolet" is the strap-line for this vehicle, which, as its name suggests, is a two-door Megane with a foldable metal roof that at just the touch of a button stores itself in the boot.
It was a beautiful day last week, which meant the roof was promptly folded away so my driving partner and I could enjoy the autumn sunshine. But that was soon ruined when we motored through the market gardening area on the southern Bombay Hills where the foulest-smelling material imaginable was being applied to surrounding paddocks!
But anyway, open-topped motoring is what this French-built Megane is all about. When the air is sweet it's very enjoyable too, and this vehicle is comfortable and well-specified. But while the CC is powered by the same engine as the Megane hatch and even has the same transmission, it doesn't seem to offer the same handling and performance prowess.
However, the Megane CC is very competitively priced at $54,990 and therefore has the potential to be a major competitor to the VW Eos, which is the big-selling coupe- cabriolet in New Zealand.
Fluence
This Korean-built sedan was introduced by Renault to fill a gap created when the marque decided not to build a notchback version of its latest-generation Megane. So it could be said it is a four-door Megane - but in fact it is much more than that, thanks to a considerably longer wheelbase (2702mm compared to 2641mm) which translates into heaps of interior room.
Fluence really is a spacious sedan, and the 530 litres of cargo space looks sufficient for me to be able to throw my golf clubs into the boot from some distance. I'm told this Renault is considered suitable as a taxi in some countries.
This vehicle is powered by the same 2.0-litre petrol engine as the Megane and Megane CC, and performance is reasonable. However the longer wheelbase does contribute to a fairly soft ride and some front-drive understeer when things are pushed.
Overall the Fluence appeals as an entirely sound and roomy, if conservative, sedan.
Pricing is a real attraction however, with its $34,990 sticker making it really competitive in the small-medium segment.
Koleos
This medium-sized SUV is a Korean-built Renault version of the Nissan X-Trail. As such the petrol versions use a 2.5-litre Nissan engine, while the diesel model is powered by a Nissan- Renault unit.
The model we drove at last week's launch was a 4x4 diesel, the engine matched to a six-speed automatic.
The engine is a beauty, offering 110 kW of power at 4000 rpm, and 320 Nm of torque at just 2000 rpm. This meant that as we drove through the Waikato countryside I kept having to back off the accelerator, because the Koleos seemed happiest to cruise at somewhere between 115 kmh and 120 kmh.
The model I drove was very highly specified, offering the likes of satellite navigation as standard - and with leather thrown in by Renault for good measure - and retailed for $49,990. When compared spec-for-spec, this makes it potentially the least expensive medium-sized 4x4 on the market - not bad for a so-called European vehicle.
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