New Megane Coupe-Cabriolet
Published: 4th August 2003
Expected to go on sale towards the end of the summer, the New Peugeot 307CC is the most direct competitor for the new Renault.
The most obvious difference between the Renault and the Peugeot is choice. Peugeot offers only one petrol engine – 2.0-litre - with two power outputs – 138bhp and 180bhp – and two transmissions – five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.
Renault, by comparison, offers three engine choices – 115bhp 1.6 VVT and 136bhp 2.0 VVT petrol – and, more innovatively for this type of car, a diesel – the 120bhp 1.9dCi which has proved so popular in the New Mégane hatchback range. It also offers three transmissions – five-speed manual with the 1.6 VVT engine, six-speed manual with the 2.0 VVT petrol and the 1.9dCi diesel plus a four-speed automatic with manual flick-shift override for both 1.6 VVT and the 2.0 petrol. A 165bhp 2.0T petrol powerplant will also be offered next year.
In addition the Renault offers of three trim levels – Extreme, Dynamique and Privilège - ensures that the widest range of customers with the widest range of budgets have access to the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet without being forced to pay for equipment they don’t necessarily want.
Accessibility to a stylish French Coupé-Cabriolet starts at £16,500 on-the-road for the folding-roof Mégane Extreme 1.6 VVT – £1,800 less than Peugeot’s offer of £18,300 for its entry level 2.0-litre 307CC.
Comparing like with like in the 2.0-litre category, Renault again offers a better deal with its 2.0 VVT Dynamique model undercutting this same Peugeot 307CC model by £100 at £18,200 on-the-road.
And on top of offering more choice and accessibility, plus style
safety and value, the Renault has the Peugeot beaten for innovative
yet practical features including its glass folding roof, hands-free
Renault Card for access and ignition, integrated fuel filler cap
and more ergonomic interior including an aviation-style hand brake.
