Renault Megane defies trends with design
Renault Megane defies trends with design
Novan Iman Santosa, novan@thejakartapost.com
Car design, as in other design fields, is always on the move as
carmakers try to attract customers with the latest styles.
Currently, the trend in car design tends to be for rounder and
softer lines without sharp corners and edges, or at least they
are minimized. But then every car would look the same.
Perhaps, that was why French carmaker Renault designers have
come up with the new Renault Megane with its unusual design,
especially in the rear section, which defies current trends.
The hatchback sedan was first introduced here at Gaikindo
Jakarta Motor Show last July but it was not until last Thursday
that PT Auto Euro Indonesia officially launched the 2003 European
Car of The Year.
Technical considerations caused delays. The Megane aims to
meet stringent Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission standards while
Indonesia has yet to enact the Euro 2 standard.
The company had to request modifications, especially in the
engine so the car could use lower-quality fuel.
In Indonesia, the New Renault Megane is powered by a 16-valve,
double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 1,600 cc engine unleashing
maximum power of 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque
of 152 Newton-meters (Nm) at 4,200 rpm.
The engine applies variable inlet valve timing (VVT)
technology, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
It is available in five-speed manual transmission, at Rp 259
million (US$28,000), and four-speed automatic transmission with
sequential shift, tagged at Rp 269 million.
"We have set ourselves an annual target of 200 units per year
for the Renault Megane and expect its unique design will boost
sales," president of PT Auto Euro Indonesia Wiwie Kurnia said at
the launch ceremony.
"Not only in the design, but we have provided many features
that are usually provided for cars at the upper end of the
range," he added.
An example is the use of a keyless ignition card to lock and
start the car.
The Megane is not only unique in its rear design.
"There is a lot of storage space in this car, in the door
panels and on the floor, to name a few places," said PT Auto Euro
Indonesia sales and marketing head Ario Soerjo.
"It is quite safe to hide your cell phone away from the
notorious Kapak Merah (Red Axe) gang," he added with a smile.
Ario also said that Renault Megane was equipped with unique
fuel intake system without a cover.
"A gas station attendant or customer does not have to open the
cover. All they have to do is just push the nozzle right into the
fuel tank," he said.
As for its safety features, the Megane received a five-star
rating from the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in crash
tests.