Renault Mégane: A Look at the Second Generation
Table of Contents
- 1. Renault Mégane: A Look at the Second Generation
- 2. From Design Sketches to Production Lines
- 3. A Diverse Range of Body Styles
- 4. safety and Innovation
- 5. The Mégane Renault Sport
- 6. Stepping back, why was the decision made to change the naming convention with the second generation? Was it purely to give it a more European feel?
- 7. Renault Mégane: A Look at the Second Generation
- 8. From Design Sketches to Production Lines
- 9. A Diverse Range of body Styles
- 10. Safety and Innovation
- 11. The Mégane Renault Sport
The Renault Mégane’s second generation, introduced in 1995, marked a significant shift for the French automaker. Departing from the numeric naming system, Renault embraced the “Mégane” name to emphasize the car’s European heritage, differentiating it from the rising tide of Japanese and Korean brands expanding their European presence.
From Design Sketches to Production Lines
the development process for the second-generation Mégane began in the first half of 1990. Initial sketches evolved into 1:5 scale models by September 1990. By march 1991,full-scale 1:1 prototypes refined the car’s appearance. Patrick Lequément, Renault’s design chief, selected Michel Jardin’s design from four contenders. “Design was completed in April 1992, after which the construction of prototypes began.”
During this period,Renault engineers meticulously tested and iterated on the design,building and destroying a total of 432 prototypes. While the second-generation Mégane incorporated elements from its predecessor, such as the floorboard, motors, drive chains, and suspension, extensive modifications ensured a fresh and distinct identity.
A Diverse Range of Body Styles
the second-generation Mégane debuted at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and entered production in July 1995. The diverse lineup included a five-door hatchback, a three-door coupe, a station wagon, and a convertible. The Mégane Scénic, launched in 1996, further expanded its appeal with its spacious design and versatility, winning the European Car of the Year award.
safety and Innovation
renault prioritized safety in the second-generation Mégane. All cars were equipped with three-point safety belts for all seating positions, including belt tensioners and pretensioners. Driver airbags were standard,with passenger-side airbags introduced in 1996 and further enhanced with electronic stability control becoming available in 1998. the Mégane’s impressive safety features earned it a four-star rating in EuroNCAP crash tests, establishing it as a benchmark in its class.
The Mégane Renault Sport
For performance enthusiasts, renault offered the Mégane Renault Sport, a sporting variant with a powerful engine and a range of performance enhancements. Initially launched as a kit car based on the coupe,it later became a more fully-fledged model.
The second-generation Renault Mégane solidified Renault’s position as a leading manufacturer of compact cars,offering a compelling blend of style,practicality,safety,and performance.
Stepping back, why was the decision made to change the naming convention with the second generation? Was it purely to give it a more European feel?
Renault Mégane: A Look at the Second Generation
The Renault Mégane’s second generation, introduced in 1995, marked a meaningful shift for the French automaker. Departing from the numeric naming system, Renault embraced the “Mégane” name to emphasize the car’s European heritage, differentiating it from the rising tide of Japanese and Korean brands expanding their European presence.
From Design Sketches to Production Lines
the growth process for the second-generation Mégane began in the first half of 1990. Initial sketches evolved into 1:5 scale models by September 1990. By march 1991,full-scale 1:1 prototypes refined the car’s appearance. Patrick Lequément, Renault’s design chief, selected Michel Jardin’s design from four contenders.
“Design was completed in april 1992, after which the construction of prototypes began.”
During this period,Renault engineers meticulously tested and iterated on the design,building and destroying a total of 432 prototypes. While the second-generation Mégane incorporated elements from its predecessor,such as the floorboard,motors,drive chains,and suspension,extensive modifications ensured a fresh and distinct identity.
A Diverse Range of body Styles
the second-generation Mégane debuted at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor show and entered production in July 1995. The diverse lineup included a five-door hatchback, a three-door coupe, a station wagon, and a convertible. The Mégane Scénic, launched in 1996, further expanded its appeal with its spacious design and versatility, winning the European Car of the Year award.
Safety and Innovation
renault prioritized safety in the second-generation Mégane. All cars were equipped with three-point safety belts for all seating positions, including belt tensioners and pretensioners. Driver airbags were standard,with passenger-side airbags introduced in 1996 and further enhanced with electronic stability control becoming available in 1998. the Mégane’s remarkable safety features earned it a four-star rating in EuroNCAP crash tests, establishing it as a benchmark in its class.
The Mégane Renault Sport
For performance enthusiasts, renault offered the Mégane Renault Sport, a sporting variant with a powerful engine and a range of performance enhancements. Initially launched as a kit car based on the coupe,it later became a more fully-fledged model.
The second-generation Renault Mégane solidified Renault’s position as a leading manufacturer of compact cars,offering a compelling blend of style,practicality,safety,and performance.
Archyde:
Stepping back, why was the decision made to change the naming convention with the second generation? Was it purely to give it a more European feel?
Raoul Gaultier, Renault Design historian
Raoul Gaultier, renault Design Historian: It was a multi-faceted decision. We were seeing a surge in Japanese and Korean brands making inroads in Europe, ofen with more modern designs and appealing price points. We wanted to signal that Mégane was a product fundamentally rooted in our European heritage,with a name that felt distinctly French and evocative of its intended target audience.
We also felt the numeric naming system, while practical, lacked a certain panache. “Mégane” brought a sense of energy, style, and dynamism, aligning it more closely with our aspirations for the car.
