Renault South Africa continues its expansion into the vehicle market, this time with its C-segment line-up, and the release of the new Renault Mégane ‘Shake It!’ 1.6 16v 5-dr. This newcomer is set to propel the new-generation Mégane into an entirely new price bracket.
The introduction of the ‘Shake it!’ into the range, is meant to broaden the Mégane's appeal to include the more price yet image-conscious end of the C-segment, whilst delivering an unrivalled package as far as both style and substance is concerned.
The new Mégane ‘Shake It!’ features the same practical five-door configuration as the existing Mégane Dynamique hatchback. And indeed, there's little to distinguish the two, aside from the obvious badging, thus allowing the value-driven model to share the cachet of the upmarket derivatives – but at an accessible, value-added price point.
In addition, the 'entry-level' Mégane ‘Shake It!’ boasts 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and all the obligatory French style credentials, including the hatchback’s contemporary cabin layout, with soft-touch finishes and dark charcoal upholstery. As with the existing Mégane models, the ‘Shake It!’ edition’s bolsters a 405 dm3 boot capacity and the added versatility of 60/40 split folding rear seats.
In terms of safety, the ‘Shake it!’ specification also includes driver and passenger airbags, curtain airbags front and rear, and Isofix child seat mountings, as well as ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Emergency Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).
The Mégane is also powered by a 1, 6-litre 16-valve fuel-injected engine introduced on the current model range. Credited with around 83 kW of power at 6 000 r/min, allied to approximately 151 Nm of torque at 4 250 r/min. Matched to a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, this enables the hatch to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in an estimated 10, 5 sec, before attaining a top speed of roughly 195 km/h.
Perhaps more pertinent in the current eco-conscious environment is the ‘Shake it!’ model’s fuel efficiency. It manages to limit its appetite for unleaded petrol to an average of about 6,9 l/100 km in the combined cycle, while the corresponding CO2 emissions rating in the region of 163 g/km.
The recommended launch price is R199 900, while there's a five-year/100 000 km Service Plan included in the purchase price, along with Renault's five-year/150 000 km warranty – all backed by Renault Confiance that offers ultimate peace-of-mind motoring.
Such is the confidence Renault has in its current line-up and its customer commitment that the new Mégane ‘Shake it!’ – as with the rest of the range – is backed up by the pioneering new "Satisfied or Reimbursed" campaign launched on 1 August 2010, which allows the customer to return their car after 30 days for a full refund if they're not completely satisfied.
The new Mégane ‘Shake It’ joined the rest of the Renault passenger car range on all Renault dealer showroom floors towards the end of August.
