The futuristic Megane Coupé concept unveiled at Geneva this morning is closely related to the production Megane that the company will show in Paris in October. At 4.5m, the car is slightly longer than the existing Megane and features intricately engineered two-piece gullwing doors. It is believed to have the general outline of the forthcoming Megane three-door. Design director Patrick le Quement, who (along with Renault’s new management led by Carlos Ghosn) has taken some criticism for the conservatism of the Laguna models, claims the concept displays Renault’s “will to dial genuine passion into its cars”.The interior combines shiny, fire-red lacquer finish and ultra-soft nubuck leather. It seems mostly concept and not much production. The designers say it features “wafer-like forms with an airy lightness”. Two features that deserve to make it onto a production line are the single-dial instrument display, which resembles the face of a modern high-tech watch, and the slide-locking stowage compartments in the elegant door linings.Renault’s concept isn’t a hybrid or a flex-fuel vehicle or a hard-working baby diesel. It’s a good, old-fashioned 200bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel, mated to a six-speed gearbox. The 0-62mph time is just 7.2sec, which indicates that the performance has a good, old fashioned quality to it as well.
Steve Cropley
Find out what Renault's design director, Patrick Le Quement, had to say on the Megane Coupé concept.
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Re: Geneva 2008: Renault Megane Coupé
I hope the production car won´t be 4,5 m long. It´s scarry how big cars have become in this class anyway. Hope the productin car will be 4,2 m at the most, and I hope it will be lighter than the previous Megane, that would make it more apealing.
Re: Geneva 2008: Renault Megane Coupé
Looks quite cool, but doubt that the production version will retain the gullwing doors. Is it front- or rear-wheel-drive, or should we assume fwd as it's 'closely related to the production Megane'?