Between the three French automobile manufacturing companies ? Renault, Peugeot and Citroen ? the spirit of open-air motoring has been redefined.
When Peugeot launched their 206cc (coupe-convertible), it heralded a new concept, that which combined a coupe-type car with a hard-top roof, the latter able to be lowered electrically.
With the 206cc came the 307cc which was quickly followed by Renault's Megane C-C, it follows a similar principle which the company has named coupe-cabriolet. And if you add in the way Citroen's Pluriel can be "disassembled," the convertible choice has never been better.
This road test surrounds Renault's C-C, a car based on the widely recognised Megane, a stand out model in terms of looks, its shape is pretty, but very unorthodox. Renault's designers have explored more unknown territory with the C-C, it has a glass roof which keeps the occupants constantly in touch with the outside world. When the occupants want to feel wind in their hair as they travel, the roof, when folded, stores in the boot, a process that takes around 22sec.
The Megane buyer will be lured by its trendy design, and in C-C form it looks almost radical, but it is certainly a car with panache and purpose. The four-seat design is more than just a 2+2, although there isn't a lot of room in the rear, leg and feet room are at a premium, while my head just grazed the glass panel up top, and I'm of average height.
Ordinarily, though, the Megane C-C travels much like its stablemates and is powered by the same drivetrain, that being a 2-litre engine hooked to a four-speed automatic transmission. There isn't a manual gearbox model, although the automatic does have a manual sequential shift facility.
It is also a gearbox that is said to be proactive, learning driving styles and responding with what it thinks is the appropriate ratio. Decisive downshifts when slowing are also a feature.
Developing 98.5kW and with 191Nm of torque, the engine is a fairly lively unit which develops its power outputs only moderately up the rev band at 5500rpm and 3750rpm respectively. The power outputs are healthy enough to cope with the C-C's weight, at 1410kg, it isn't heavy but it does have reasonable bulk.
According to Renault, the C-C can make 100kmh from a standstill in 11.5sec and it has a top speed of 201kmh. A 7.2sec time to make 120kmh from 80kmh is quite respectable, it isn't a real racer but it will satisfy the demand of the buyer who feels that performance is not paramount, but freedom is.
The 1998cc twin-camshaft, 16-valve engine is a free revving unit. Although maximum power is achieved lower than many of its counterparts, it will work the top end of the rev counter willingly, responding to throttle request instantaneously. Variable valve timing ensures that the power is ushered in at each end appropriately and according to engine speed.
Even though a five-speed shifter would suit the engine's characteristics perfectly, the four-speeder tries hard to keep the appropriate gear slotted, shifts are relatively shock free.
At 100kmh on the open road the engine is turning over reasonably busy at 2800rpm in fourth gear, a legacy of some moderate gearing, its European origins not standing in the way of what is appropriate for down under roads. At that speed, and according to the on board trip computer, the engine uses fuel instantaneously at the rate of 7.2 litres per 100km while a test average of 8.9l/100km is quite respectable at 39mpg and 31mpg respectively.
Sitting on MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear, the Megane has spring and damper rates set supple, a criteria Renault consider high priority. Most of their models, sporty variants aside, have a ride/handling balance biased towards comfort, and the C-C is no exception. That's not saying it is a sloppy handler, far from it, there is good directional accuracy and, given the weight of the model, body movement doesn't affect suspension control, which also means that the occupants travel in a comfortable environment.
The Megane C-C sits on firm sidewall Continental Sport tyres, they measure 205/50 x 17in and have quiet riding characteristics. When it comes to having pressure placed on them in a corner they moan early but don't wilt. Steerage through an electrically assisted systems remains informative, feel both on and off centre is constantly involving. I took the test car through a short peninsula loop, enjoying its agility and directional accuracy.
An $54,990, the Megane C-C has executive pricing but it isn't short of fitment. Comfort and convenience items include climate control, fully electric operating system, full leather trim, in-dash six-CD stacker, tilt and reach-adjustable steering column and Renault's card-key central locking and ignition system. An interesting point of note is that in Renault's promotional literature they claim cruise control and speed limiter on this model; however, I couldn't find the operating mechanism.
Safety items include no fewer than six air bags and ABS. As you would expect from such a radical design, the interior is laid out flashy, complementing the exterior look. However, the in-cabin area is user-friendly and very comfortable. Nice touches include the dual support handbrake lever and brushed aluminium console trim, although there is plenty of it, it isn't overdone.
A fine autumn weekend meant I was able to travel quite some distance with the top down, and in true cabriolet fashion there was just the right amount of wind whipping through my depleted locks, it wasn't gusty but breezy and I guess that's what convertible drivers hanker for. The car is quiet in travel and feels quite rigid, there are few creaks and rattles and that can't always be said of models which have a transformable roof structure.
However, there are couple of minor inconveniences with buying a car like this. One is the long reach for the seat belt which is anchored well to the rear of the front seats, the other is the huge and wide-opening doors, if you aren't careful they take-off when opened, becoming a nuisance in close confines.
Renault (and Peugeot) have served to prove that fresh ideas in car design are still achievable, it's one thing to work on a concept but its also another to make it commercially viable. The Megane C-C isn't cheap, but it is an honest car which offers a fun element. I'll watch with interest its sales results.
Specifications:
Price: Renault Megane C-C, $54,990.
Dimensions: Length, 4355mm; width, 1810mm; height, 1404mm.
Configuration: Four-cylinder transverse, front-wheel-drive, 1998cc, 98.5kW/5500rpm, 191Nm/3750rpm, four-speed automatic.
Performance: 0-100kmh, 11.5sec; maximum speed, 201kmh.
Between the three French automobile manufacturing companies ? Renault, Peugeot and Citroen ? the spirit of open-air motoring has been redefined.
When Peugeot launched their 206cc (coupe-convertible), it heralded a new concept, that which combined a coupe-type car with a hard-top roof, the latter able to be lowered electrically.
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