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.