Geneva show: Megane flips its lid at the Swiss

MARCH’S Geneva motor show will kick off a period of high new-model activity for Renault with the debut of the X95 Megane CC Coupe-Cabriolet.

This teaser shot is the only photograph the French are issuing for the time being – later in February is the expected reveal – but Renault has already confirmed that the four-seater sun-seeker will land in Australia in about October this year.

No other information is forthcoming, except that – unlike the next-generation (X95) Megane hatchback that is heading to Australia – the CC will continue to be built in France, just like the existing X84 model released here in late 2004.

The original Megane Convertible was based on the first-generation X64 model and used a fabric roof. It was sold in Australia from 2001 to 2004.

Whether the newcomer will continue to offer the glass ceiling of its immediate predecessor also remains to be seen.

After a quiet 2009 it will join a host of new models slated for release in Australia this year.

From top: Clio RS200 and Megane hatch.

First cab off the rank will be the facelifted X85 Clio Renaultsport.

Dubbed RS200 and due in about April or May, this Series II edition will bring worthwhile improvements to low-rev power delivery, as well as an updated look and a range of interior refinements.

But the big news will be around July when the third-generation Megane hatch appears.

To be built at the Bursa plant in Turkey, the X95 five-door hatchback will be priced far more competitively than its X84 predecessor, which suffered from unfavourable exchange rates as a result of being sourced from France. Renault won’t make the same mistake this time around.

As we have previously reported on GoAuto, there will be some mechanical differences between the French and Turkish-built Megane, with an increase in Nissan-sourced parts to help keep prices down. The car shares some platform components with the Koleos SUV, as well as the Nissan X-Trail and Dualis.

The next-generation Kangoo commercial range will also appear around that time, taking on the popular Volkswagen Caddy. The new van will be significantly larger and more refined than the Mk1 X76 Kangoo – which dates back to 1997.

Renault may just manage to slip in the much-lauded Megane Coupe RS250 hot hatch, signalling the introduction of the sleek three-door coupe version of the X95. Like all Renaultsport models, the RS 250 will be out of France.

The final X95 version on the cards for Australia is the Megane sedan, which will join the hatch in coming out of Bursa. It is due to be released before the middle of 2011, and will again continue with its predecessor’s sharp pricing.

According to Renault Australia managing director Rudi Koenig, the company is in for a hive of activity over the next 12 months.

“After a quiet 2009 it’s all go for Renault in Australia,” he told GoAuto.

What's coming from Renault:
Clio RS 200	April 2010
Megane hatch	July 2010
Kangoo II	Third quarter 2010
Megane CC Coupe-Cabriolet	October 2010
Megane Coupe RS 250	December 2010/Q1 2011
Megane sedan	Second quarter 2011