The new Renault Megane has been singled out at an awards ceremony in London for its safety qualities.
Described as being indicative of the safety philosophy adopted by the French marque, the model is the only vehicle ever to have achieved a score of 37 points out of 37 in Euro NCAP’s safety survey.
This, coupled with the strong performances of its other cars in safety assessment surveys, enabled Renault to pick up the coveted safety award at the 2009 Fleet World Honours.
"Renault are regular winners of this award, based on their outstanding efforts in ensuring the NCAP ratings are such a vital consideration when they introduce a new vehicle," commented chairman of the judges George Emmerson.
Twin side-impact sensors, six airbags, ABS and emergency brake distribution are all features of the new Renault Megane, while Renault also attempts to reduce the number of accidents on the roads through the education of drivers.
In addition to focusing on safety, Renault also sought to improve the style, power and reliability of its model when designing the new Megane.
Renault has launched its latest addition to the hot hatchback market with the Renaultsport Megane 250 set to challenge the likes of Ford and Volkswagen in the segment.
Writing for Evo, Stephen Dobie reveals that the vehicle is solely based around the Renault Megane Coupe and because of this may not appeal to some motorists as it is only available as a three-door version.
Extra power and torque has been added to the previous hot Megane on the market, although it is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is used.
However, despite the additional 50 brake horsepower, the car is virtually the same weight as its predecessor, according to Mr Dobie, weighing in at around 1,345 kilograms.
Meanwhile, the vehicle is to be available in two forms from launch – the Sport and the Cup – with the reviewer leaning towards the latter because of its stiffer springs and grooved brake discs
Other features of the Megane Renaultsport 250 are a front bumper that incorporates LED daytime running lights and a central rear exhaust.
The vehicle is to go on sale later this year and was unveiled for the first time at Geneva Motor Show.
One of the starring features of the latest Renault Megane Coupe is its looks, according to one reviewer.
Sam Philip states for Top Gear that the Megane Coupe is a "handsome enough thing", through its slanted roofline and a "pair of big shiny air vents" situated at the head of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, he adds that the coupe benefits from a range of changes from the more conventional five-door Megane.
Mr Philip reveals that it is a lot "sharper" on the road thanks to a firmer suspension, while the ride height is lowered by 12 millimetres.
Furthermore, the vehicle is able to accelerate from still to 62 miles per hour in 7.8 seconds and the reviewer remarks that "there are plenty of worse cars to punt down a windy road".
However Mr Philip highlights that the car has suffered some sacrifices to improve its look, particularly as the seats are a little cramped in the back and not much can be seen through the rear window.
Renault states that the new Megane Coupe is "sporty, exclusive and has exciting style".
A change of approach has been undertaken with the new Renault Megane, it has been indicated.
Writing for the Financial Times, Matthew Pettipher remarks that in the past the Megane was marketed as a sexy car, powered with high amounts of ‘va va voom’ and stylish with a mass appeal.
However, the new car is a distant contrast to this, with it being more "modest" and seemingly aimed at more families, according to Mr Pettipher.
He adds that through the changes made to the highly spoke about rear end of the Megane, the new car benefits from smooth lines, a move which could be deliberate to "break with the model’s past".
Overall, Mr Pettipher comments that the Renault Megane 1.9-litre diesel version offers motorists a "pleasant" drive, alongside a good economy and is declared to be a "perfectly adequate mid-range car".
Among the attributes of the vehicle are that motorists can profit from completing 55.4 miles to the gallon, while a top speed of 127 miles per hour can be reached.
Motorists looking for a blend of style and comfort from their Renault Megane may wish to look at the Privilege range from the manufacturer.
The look of the latest Renault Megane is "fantastic", with the appearance of the rear of the vehicle being the "best bit", according to Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mirror, Mr Hammond states that the Megane has a greater appearance than the Volkswagen Scirocco, which is also a "fine looking thing".
Meanwhile, he remarks that of the vehicles in the range currently on offer, the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol offering may prove the "hottest" purchase, although he was given the 1.9 dCi 130 Dynamique to review.
Mr Hammond said that it will attract many buyers as it is economical, while he also found it "fun to drive".
Furthermore, the car can accelerate to 62 miles per hour from still in 9.5 seconds, while motorists can profit from a fuel consumption of 55.4 miles to the gallon.
According to Mr Hammond, the new Megane has successfully helped Renault move back up the charts.
Renault has stated that the new Megane Hatch is a car that "takes style, power and reliability further than ever before".
In a bid to be more fuel efficient, Renault has reduced the weight of the latest offering of the Renault Megane, it has been highlighted.
A review of the Renault Megane 1.6 Expression by Neil Greenfield for the Islington Gazette has revealed that the new vehicle is eight kilograms lighter to help motorists to be able to travel further on a litre of fuel.
Meanwhile, motorists also have the dilemma of deciding between a wide ranging of engines, with Mr Greenfield giving the opinion that the "super-frugal diesels should be near the top of anyone’s wish list".
Furthermore, drivers of the Megane will largely benefit from a comfortable ride, according to Mr Greenfield, while having the benefit of a large boot.
The 372 litres of space on offer in the rear is larger than that which can be accessed in a Volkswagen Golf, while a large amount of standard equipment also comes with the car.
Overall, Mr Greenfield indicated that "the competitively-priced Megane still has something to offer for those looking for value and a dash of Gallic flair".
The Renault Megane 1.6 Expression has a combined fuel consumption of 42.2 miles to the gallon while generating 159g/km of carbon dioxide.
Motorists who were not particularly fans of the look of the previous Renault Megane may be interested to know that the latest version of the vehicle has undergone some large-scale changes.
Carpages has revealed that the Renault Megane Hatch has seen the most noticeable changes, both at the front and rear of the vehicle.
The publication remarks that the Megane is "no longer shakin’ its rear end", with the back of the vehicle now looking more mature, thanks to wraparound taillights and a convex rear window.
Meanwhile, some clever changes to the front of the vehicle help to give the car a more curvaceous look, with curvy light clusters helping to enhance the appearance of the grille.
Furthermore, on the road, the vehicle is capable of accelerating from still to 62 miles per hour in 9.5 seconds, while a top speed of 127 miles per hour can also be registered.
According to Renault, the latest Megane Hatch takes "style, power and reliability further than ever before".
With motorists currently having the choice of 18 vehicles under the Renault Megane umbrella, it is easy to see why the 1.5 dCi Dynamique is the most popular, it has been stated.
Writing for the Irvine Herald, Robin Roberts highlights that there are many positives to the vehicle, all of which will help boost the ride quality for a driver.
According to Mr Roberts, the Megane is a "quick starter" and "pulls very strongly through the gears, while also being quiet on the road and offering drivers a good fuel economy.
Among the personal favourite features of the car for Mr Roberts were the Megane’s secondary controls, as although they are scattered around the inside of the vehicle, they are big and clear.
Furthermore, the boot is described as being generous, while passengers in both the front and back of the car will benefit from solid amounts of space in the cabin.
Overall, Mr Roberts comments that the latest Megane shows how well the model has "matured" over time.
Alternatively, motorists could opt for the Renault Megane Coupe, which according to the manufacturer is "sporty, exclusive and has exciting style".
The latest Renault Megane is the "best all-rounder" that the manufacturer has conjured up in many years, according to one reviewer.
Peter Hayward states in the Lennox Herald that the new Megane three-door coupe offers vast upgrades in looks and engines compared to past offerings of the range.
He remarks that he "hugely enjoyed" his test drive, with his vehicle fitted with a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine.
While having the capabilities of reaching a top speed of 130 miles per hour and reaching 62 miles per hour from still in 9.5 seconds, Mr Hayward also indicates that the engine is "one of the quietest and smoothest diesels on the market".
However, the most impressive feature, according to Mr Hayward, was the chassis used, which hits new levels in terms of the way the car remains tight to the road.
He said that the chassis left him "clinging to the road surface like a limpet and yet also managing to ride reasonably well".
From the Megane range, the Expression dCi 86 is the best in terms of the amount of CO2 generated, with the vehicle creating 118g/km of carbon dioxide.
Fans of the Renault Megane Hatch range may be pleased to know that it has been extended thanks to the unveiling of two new vehicles.
Available to order from May, motorists can begin preparing to own the vehicles that fall under the entry-level Megane Hatch Extreme umbrella.
The two Extreme models are the 1.6 100 petrol and the 1.5 dCi 86, both of which keep up the range’s focus on offering budding buyers value for money.
As well as being frugal, refined and stylish, the vehicles also come equipped with a host of core pieces of equipment.
These include air conditioning, front electric windows and ESP, a technology that will help to support the vehicle’s handling.
Despite the vehicle being available to order next month, it will not arrive in showrooms until June.
According to Renault, the new Megane is a "car that takes style, power and reliability further than ever before".
This is done through its appearance beginning at the front with its distinctive headlights, right through to its broad shoulders.
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