New Renault Megane Coupe: Official Photos and Details

Following the recent introduction of the new Megane III 5-door hatchback in September, Renault unleashed the 2009 Megane Coupe III at the Paris Motor Show. Renault’s designers did a wonderful job converting the mundane Megane 5d into a sporty 3door hatch that really looks the part. To achieve this, the French automaker’s design team had to restyle the Megane from ground up as only the bonnet, wings and headlamps are shared by the coupe and hatchback versions. Furthermore, the Megane Coupe sits 12mm lower than the hatch giving it a more aggressive stance. -Continued

Renault’s engineers also tweaked the Megane Coupe's chassis for greater driving pleasure. Handling performance has been fine-tuned thanks to stiffer front and rear springs, an increased diameter anti-roll bar and of course, the 12mm lower ride-height compared with the hatch version of new Megane. As with the 5door variant, despite being bigger and roomier, the new Megane Coupe is an average 8kg or 18-lbs lighter than its predecessor.

The engine line-up will include diesel units developing from 86 to 160 HP while the petrol range will comprise the 1.6-liter 110HP, as well as the 2.0-liter 140hp and the turbocharged TCe 180HP. The 2.0 16V will be available from launch with a six-speed manual gearbox, while continuously variable transmission will be introduced with this powerplant at a later date.

Renault's latest petrol engine, the turbocharged 1.4-liter TCe 130HP will be added to the range in the spring of 2009. Depending on the version, the Megane Coupe’s engines can drive through five- or six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.