Renault Megane Coupe: month five

Model: Renault Mégane Coupé Dynamique TomTom 1.5 dCi 110 EDC

On fleet since: March 2010
Mileage: 9,100 miles
Official combined mpg: 64.2mpg
Our average economy: 54.9mpg
Performance: 0-62mph 10.9secs/118mph
Power/Torque: 110hp@4,000rpm/177lb ft@2,000rpm
Insurance group: 18E
Options fitted: id metallic paint (£495), 17-inch alloys (no cost option - 16in std), dual-zone climate control (£410), fixed sunroof (£420), rear parking sensors (£310), emergency spare wheel (£75)
Price as tested: £22,030

Pros: Excellent chassis, mature feel, overall sophistication
Cons: Dark cabin, engine rattles, lack of cupholders

Where have we been?

A whistle-stop trip to Leeds was on the Mégane's journey rota this month, necessitating yet another 4.30am start (which I didn't realise risked disturbing the neighbours until I heard the Mégane from outside: when cold, the 1.5 dCi engine is pretty clattery).

The Leeds trek was for an industry test day. Drives included the Kia Picanto 3dr, Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo and Vauxhall Astra stop-start. All interesting stuff - but I was struck when I got back in the Mégane how impressive it felt compared to them: as sophisticated as the very best of what I'd just driven.

Days like this help provide reminders of a long-termer's talents. The Mégane has a spot-on chassis, nice low seats, well-weighted steering and a dual-clutch EDC gearbox that really does continue to impress. It's a very appealing package that deserves wider recognition.

Mind you, it also has appalling rear visibility, which is only being exacerbated now the dark mornings are here. Renault's made it even worse by fitting darkened rear glass, ensuring what little glass area there is still restricts a good chunk of light. Thank goodness for the glass roof...

What do we like?

I drove a showroom-full of cars in Leeds, and the best-handling of the day was still the Mégane. Roll-free, beautifully damped and immaculately accurate, it's a real treat for an ostensibly 'cooking' car.

Of course, Renault has granted it a series of chassis enhancements over the standard Mégane hatchback (well, this is the company of Renaultsport, after all). These tauten it just so but without destroying the ride quality.

It's on the firm side, yes, and does jiggle a little in town, but the perfect damping means it only gets better the harder you push it and the more challenging the roads become.

And, yes, more on the gearbox: an engineer pal explained to me this month why 'dry clutch' gearboxes such as the Renault's EDC are better than 'wet clutch' transmissions like earlier VW DSG. It's all to do with hydraulic losses. Doesn't explain why it continues to get smoother, though.

What don't we like?

A day driving the latest diesels has highlighted some of the Renault 1.5 dCi's less appealing traits. Such as, the aforementioned clatter when cold and a more general rattle when driven harder. It's smooth at a cruise but, when accelerating, is off the pace of the latest class-best units.

There's also some vibration and resonance from it, something you don't get in a sleek VW TDI. Good job the EDC gearbox is eco-trained, so holds onto gears longer rather than changing down: tapping into the torque is more aurally appealing (ie quieter) than letting it rev.

The distinct lack of stowage space is becoming a pain now I'm doing so many miles. On-the-go coffee stops are a must to stay alert - but the Mégane offers nowhere to store coffee cups! There is a cupholder-shaped slot in front of the gearlever, but there would be coffee everywhere if it were actually used, believe me.

It's a shame that it doesn't have a proper AUX-in socket, too. The dual audio-in cable slot, next to that 'cupholder', is an ugly thing to use, which means I often don't. Why not locate it in the central stowage bin, Renault?

What next for the Renault Mégane Coupé?
More than likely a trip to the hospital: my girlfriend is heavily pregnant and, while the baby is officially a little way off, we're convinced it's arriving early.

The Renault Mégane Coupé could thus be pressed into family car action sooner than we think. How will it fare? Come back, well, any day now...

Report 1: Renault Mégane Coupe: arrival
Report 2: Renault Mégane Coupe: month two
Report 3: Renault Mégane Coupe: month three
Report 4: Renault Mégane Coupe: month four
Report 5: Renault Mégane Coupe: month five (this report)
Report 6: Renault Mégane Coupe: month six
Report 7: Renault Mégane Coupe: month seven

Gallery: Renault Mégane Coupé
Review: Renault Mégane
Review: Renault Mégane CC
Videos of the Renault Mégane
Buy a used Renault Mégane Coupé on Auto Trader

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