SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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2008 Renault Mègane 2.0 GT

Compact road burner

Original posting: March 1, 2008

Built on the slightly shorter hatchback version of the Mègane platform, the new-to SA GT replaces the range-topping Dynamique, with a turbocharged 120 kW version of Renault’s two-litre power plant and kitted out with sportier appointments.

Aimed at those who enjoy sporty performance but like their creature comforts as well, the GT is part of a new wave of compact road burners currently sweeping Europe.

On the outside, there is a new front spoiler and chrome finished radiator grille surrounds plus side skirts, a hatch airfoil, special 16-inch aluminium wheels in a dark metallic finish and aggressive dual exhaust outlets in chrome, topped by in-your-face GT badging.

On the inside, body-hugging seats (height-adjustable on the driver’s side), a leather trimmed wheel that is adjustable for height and reach, aluminium-accented pedals and yet another GT badge, plus purposeful grey dials and a chunky aircraft-style handbrake lever, remind you that this hatch is made for Motoring.

Making it go, the 1998cc motor develops 120 kW at 5000 rpm and 270 Nm of torque at 3250 rpm, but the curve is so broad and flat, that flooring the throttle from almost any speed results in a gorgeous power surge that just wants to go on and on, until the rev limiter kicks in. The motor is so smooth that you need to keep a close eye on the rev counter, changing up before the fun comes to an end.

Keeping it all on the road, specially calibrated shock absorbers, improved rear axle location, stiffer front and rear anti-sway bars, stiffer springs and suspension 10 mm lower than on the Dynamique, add up to a handling package that makes you want to keep on driving forever. The amazing part is that all this good stuff comes without sacrificing comfort – thank the boffins with their computers for modern miracles. Steering response and accuracy are optimised by special settings for the variable-ratio electric power steering.

To bring everything to a halt, 280 mm vented discs in front and 240 mm solid units at the rear are helped along by the ubiquitous ABS and his helpers, Mr. EBD and Ms. EBA (electronic brake force distribution and electronic brake assist).

While this sporty hatch concentrates firstly on the comfort requirements of pilot and prime passenger, those in the rear are adequately catered for as well. Headroom is plentiful for six-footers, while rear legroom is OK but limited by the fact that this body is 50 mm shorter than that of the Scenic. Baggage room is listed as 406 litres, expandable by tumbling the back seats, to 1840 litres.

“So what’ll she do, Mister?” Zero to 100 km/h comes up in 8,3 seconds, while top speed is claimed to be 220 km/h.

This tester, particular but not obsessive, could find no fault with build quality while everything behaved as it should during the test period. To reassure those who have heard dire tales of French cars’ quality and reliability in recent times, however, Renault are backing up all new Mèganes with a 5 year/150 000 km warranty and a 5 year/60 000km service plan.

Test unit courtesy of Renault Durban

Recommended retail price of the Renault Mègane GT at time of writing was R222 000.
Engine and performance: See text

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