Full metal jacket

RENAULT will reveal a Megane Cabriolet with a steel folding roof as part of the next generation Megane small-medium car range which goes on sale in Europe in mid-2002.

And it is being targeted by Renault Australia to come here early in 2003, along with the Megane sedan, the five-door hatch, and possibly the coupe.

The arrival of the latter depends on whether the UK takes it. If it does not, then the car won't be built in right-hand drive.

The current Cabrio is the only member of the Megane range we will see here when Renault relaunches in May, although the Scenic compact people-mover was a spin-off from Megane which has now outstripped it in sales.

The Megane Cabrio has a powered cloth roof but the next generation will ape the Mercedes-Benz SLK and - more significantly - its direct rival, the Peugeot 206CC, in having a fold-down steel roof.

"It's one of the few convertible with a steel roof you'd be happy to leave the roof up all the time. The lines are just superb," said one insider.

"It's absolutely brain-snapping, absolutely superb.

"You've got to be careful when you say those things because people think you are biased because you work for the company, but anyone would love it." "It's a very good looking car." The new Megane is tipped to be slightly larger than the current car and improve its interior space efficiency. Its exterior styling is expected to reflect the current Renault trend toward large headlights, an aggressive split grille and prominent Renault diamond logo front and rear.

It will be built on the new C-platform shared with global alliance partner Nissan. Renault will also build the Scenic and Nissan the Pulsar/Almera on the platform.

The Megane range will play a vital role in Renault Australia's sales target of 8000 units in 2003, up from 5000 in 2002.

The company believes it could benefit from a resurgence in the mid-size sector as people downsize from larger cars.

"By the time we get to the Megane that segment will be a little more healthy," predicted Renault Australia director Richard Wilson.

"With fuel prices going up and the increasing number of cars on the road, I think ultimately we are going to downsize a bit." In the shorter term, the existing Megane Cabrio is expected to be boosted with the addition of a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder version early in the new year.

But the first vehicles to arrive in Australia after the May relaunch will be the facelifted Clio range, which will include 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre five-doors and the 2.0-litre Sport hot hatch.

Only the 1.4 will be offered with the option of an automatic gearbox and there will be two levels of specification - the entry level Expression which will offer four airbags, ABS, remote central locking, air-conditioning and power front windows - and the Privilege which adds a multi-stacker CD player and a sunroof.

Pricing will start just under $20,000 for the 1.4-litre Expression manual. At the other end of the Clio scale, the exciting V6 may come but only as a low volume import, priced as high as $70,000.

And Renault Australia hopes to launch both its luxury Laguna V6 hatchback and estate in Privilege specification for less than $50,000 when it goes on sale around October, although an option pack including leather trim will push pricing through that barrier.

The 2.0-litre hatchback, which should go on sale at the end of 2001, should be priced under $40,000.

In 2002 the small light commercial Kangoo and the Kangoo 4x4 five-seater are on the wanted list, along with the Trafic commercial - which is being developed with General Motors and Nissan and will be launched in Europe about September 2001.

But Renault Australia does not have any interest in taking the Espace people-mover.