2011 Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet review
2011 Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet
By Tim Saunders
"Rain. Kiss my glass"
This is the slogan from the outdoor advertising campaign for the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, which humorously and memorably refers to the car‘s magnificent panoramic glass roof – successfully setting it apart from metal-topped competitors like Peugeot, Ford and Vauxhall.
New Renault Megane CC
If the heavens suddenly open, as they usually do during the great British Summer, driver and passengers can still enjoy a fantastic experience. When the roof is up, the cabin is silent with hardly any engine or road noise.
Inside, the two-door has a black sunblind that neatly pulls over its darkened roof in case the sun shines a little too strongly.
2011 Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet
The comfortable black leather seats in the tested 1.9 dCi (130bhp) 'Dynamique TomTom' are appropriate for this vehicle because if they get wet they can be easily wiped down. In fact the entire interior has been designed with the elements firmly in mind. I‘m unsure why the cruise control arming button is located by the handbrake. Wouldn‘t it be easier to either remove this switch altogether as the cruise controls themselves are on the steering wheel?
While there are rear seats they are really only suitable for little ones. The boot, which has to accommodate the roof when it‘s down is only large enough for small items and certainly not my daughter‘s pushchair.
New Renault Megane CC
When I'm driving to work in the mornings my head and heart are often still in bed. Get in the Megane CC, drop the electric hood (a slick operation carried out in around 30 seconds), put your foot down and it really does invigorate and lifts the spirits. However, the roof is only operational if the luggage cover is pulled across your belongings in the boot and the driver must make sure there are no cars parked immediately behind as the boot moves outwards and could result in expensive repair bills.
Hacking off the roof of a car can compromise stiffness and that has a knock-on effect in the way it drives. The Megane CC, which is 25 per cent heavier than a standard Megane, does suffer a bit – the body occasionally shudders as it goes over a bump but it handles high speeds and cornering as well as can be expected. Today‘s cabriolets are a huge improvement on those of the ’80s and ’90s where there was an unsightly anti-roll bar in the centre. “The current (and previous) Mégane CC has pyrotechnic hoops built into the two rear headrests, which automatically deploy upwards in milliseconds if the car‘s computer detects possible rollover, to protect any rear passengers,” explains Renault spokesman Mike Gale. “On top of this, they combine with the strengthened windscreen pillars to create a complete safety cell.”
2011 Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet
The 1.9-litre diesel proves reasonably punchy yet economical, helped by the six-speed box. The fact that it has an enormous 60-litre fuel tank means that it will easily cover 700 miles on a tank.
Parker’s the car guide, says: “Coupe-Cabriolets are ideal for those unwilling to trade roof-up refinement and security for topless thrills. The Megane is the firm’s second attempt at perfecting the folding hardtop. Like before, it has teamed up with legendary convertible specialist Karmann who were responsible for the original Beetle. Close attention has been paid to reduce unpleasant wind buffeting by the addition of a new fixed glass wind deflector.”
Renault first introduced a Megane Cabriolet in 1999 but this version had a canvas roof and was in production until 2003. The revised Megane Cabriolet started the fashion of the harder wearing, more secure retractable hard top. The latest version launched in 2010.
At a glance: Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet 1.9 DCI
New price range: £20,340 - £24,825
Used price range: £14,045 - £19,665
0-60mph: 10.3secs
Power: 130bhp
Top speed: 127mph
