SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories.

We attend the launch of four new Renault Méganes

This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.


Published in The Witness Motoring, Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday October 7, 2009

Moving away from the mummy bus image

“We brought you The Arse,” Xavier Piguet, Renault SA’s project manager, referring to the outgoing dérriere-enhanced Méganes, told assembled journalists,  “but while it sold really well, it is time to change.” And change it has indeed.

The new Méganes – saloon and coupé and the MPVs - Scénic and Grand Scénic, are more conventionally styled than their predecessors, but still decidedly European. They are also longer and more spacious, but with less bulk. The new Megane tips the scales at 1224 kg vs. the 1235 kg of the outgoing model.

 Better equipped, yet retaining the Euro NCAP five star safety rating enjoyed by the past 12 Renault releases (Grand Scénic was the first to achieve five stars under the new, more stringent rating system) the new cars are priced about one percent above the models they replace.

 All models are equipped with six airbags, while the coupé has additional pelvis restraint cushion (PRC) anti-submarining airbags on both front seats. ABS and EBD is standard across the range, with ESC available as an option.

 Scénics are equipped with an array of high-tech features, with a customisable colour TFT dashboard-mounted screen, Bluetooth connectivity, integrated Carminat TomTom navigation on Dynamique models, and an audible rear parking sensor as major highlights. Optionally, buyers can select a high-end custom-developed ‘3D Sound by Arkamys’ 140-watt audio system, and Plug & Music connectivity for external audio devices.

 On Grand Scénic, the additional seats are fully usable by occupants up to 1,75 m tall, thanks to a footwell beneath the second row. Unextended boot space on Scénic models is given as 522 – and 702 dm³ respectively. Loading height is very user-friendly as well (about knee high to this journalist).

 At this stage, two engines are available. A naturally aspirated 1,6 litre 16 valve petrol engine develops 83 kW at 6 000 rpm and 151 Nm of torque at 4 250. Linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, the 1,6-litre unit takes the Mégane Coupé to100 km/h from standstill in 10,5 sec, and attains a 195 km/h top speed.

 It also provides impressive fuel consumption, achieving a claimed mixed cycle figure of 6,9 l/100 km, while producing a CO₂ emissions rating of 163 g/km.

 A 1,9 litre turbodiesel develops 96 kW at 3750 rpm and 300 Nm at 1750 rpm. Top speed is a claimed 210 km/h and CO₂ emissions are rated at 135 gm/km. A 1,4 litre 96 kW turbocharged petrol unit will become available this coming January.

 In a move away from the mummy bus image of previous Scénics, the incoming versions boast firmer suspensions that make them feel more hatch-like in their road behaviour. Jokingly, Piguet went on to tell us that by removing the rear seats, Grand Scénic goes “from mummy bus to moving company” in one easy step, opening up 2063 litres of cargo space in the process.

 Driving from Sandton to Parys (‘sorry, we couldn’t take you to Paris’) and back, we tried the Mégane sedan and both Scénics in diesel form, and the coupé with the 1600 motor. All attracted admiring glances along the way, with the coupé getting its very fair share.

 Road manners and braking were excellent and performance of the diesel derivatives was very pleasant. The jaded among us felt that the 1600, while OK, could use a bit more muscle, however. Renault SA is expecting pre-release test units of the coupé with 1400 turbo motor to arrive soon, so we hope to update you before the official release date.

 Prices range from R215 000 for the 1,6 sedan to R290 000 for the diesel Grand Scénic. All come with a 3 year/100 000 km warranty and 5 year/100 000 km service plan.

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

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