Technological advancement in automobiles is on the upswing, especially with automakers struggling to have a cutting edge in the sector. The import of this is that cars are daily becoming more sophisticated, which is a delight for techno-savvy auto freaks. In this category lies the Megane II, a mid-sedan from the stable of Renault. By simply slotting in a customised card, styled like a credit card, and with a quick touch of the starter button, the Megane II is ready for a drive.

The Megane II, marketed in Nigeria by Alliance Autos, comes in two engine capacities, 1.6 litres and 2.0 litres, with four and five-speed automatic gear transmission. It is equipped with six airbags, air conditioning system, a CD player, anti-lock braking system, ABS, with electronic brake-force distribution, EBD, brake assist system, plus deadlocking for the doors, ventilated front and rear brake disc, and fitted with the MacPherson strut suspension. It has a fuel tank capacity of 60 litres.  Megane II is powered by the 136 brake horsepower, bhp, 16-valve engine with variable valve timing, ensuring a more pleasurable drive than you might expect.  It attains a speed of 60 miles per hour, mph, in 9.2 seconds, and a top speed of 124 mph.

Judging from the experiences of owners and drivers of the car, Megane II is said to be economical on fuel, with low emissions. Folorunsho Oyedele drives a Megane II. He explained that car was well-built and greatly positioned to, at all times for the driver to always be in firm control of the wheel.

The interior of the Megane II is not as eye-catching as the exterior lines, but, yet, it still gives a lush feeling, with its excellent

trim, great ergonomics, dials and instrumentation panel. Soft feel plastics, quality fabrics, a cohesive design, and ample legroom, complete the lushness of the car. On the exterior, the Megane II is fitted with elongated, sleek headlamps and improved grille, which snowballs into a V shape, complementing the Renault badge at the front. The rear has a well sculpted bumper and revised light clusters and inside, the instrument binnacle features chrome-ringed dials with white background lighting. These features and more give Adeseye Adekoya, workshop manager, Alliance Autos, the confidence to extol the qualities of the car. According to him, the Megane II is the first car in the country to have a keyless ignition facility.  Besides, he says, Megane II is great to drive, due to its responsiveness and performance on difficult terrain because the engines are well refined. Furthermore, the anti-submarining airbag, a device which leaps forth from the seat cushion to protect the passengers’ pelvis, is a unique feature in the car that provides both comfort and unparalleled safety, and effectively making it impossible for occupants to slide beneath the seatbelt in the event of an accident. There is also a twin front and side airbags with full-length curtain bags to protect passengers from flying glass. “The Megane II offers a very comfortable ride through the side streets and on the long motorway straight with firm, hugging seats. The car feels solid and delivers great performance. A very reliable product, which speaks well of Renault”, Oyedele believes.

For all these offering, the Megane II sells for N2.95 million.

 

Megane I

II: Sophisticated

Interior: Luxurious

Adekoya: Extols the qualities of Megane II