Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchbacks, Renault
Renault Megane spied undisguised in America
While French authorities go after the journalists and photographers who obtained images of the new Renault Megane, an undisguised, production-ready example of the vehicle was spied undergoing testing right here in the good old US of A.
The new Megane III was previewed by the Megane Coupe Concept unveiled at the 2008 Geneva show. The production version will be officially launched in October at the Paris show, where we'll be on hand to bring you live shots, hopefully without test crews trying to block the car.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mike 8:37AM (7/29/2008)
This could be the next Nissan here in USA, a hot hatch + Nissan, that has to be good. Honda refuses to bring over Type R, this could be an alternative.
This could even be the next Chrysler, since Nissan and Chrysler made that deal.
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tuna 1:02PM (7/29/2008)
The Megane and Versa share the same platform. According to Nissan it's the first joint project under their partnership with Renault. So it's more likely to be a hint of where the Versa is headed than a hint of a new car.
El Paco 6:00PM (7/29/2008)
@tuna:
The Megane shares Sentra's platform (C-platform), not Versa's. The Versa uses the same platform (B-platform) as the Renault Clio, only stretched.
Menice 8:48AM (7/29/2008)
pretty nice aside from those brushed chrome bumper slabs.
why the manufacturers seem to be doing that now...?
think the equinox kicked off the trend.
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Kumail 8:50AM (7/29/2008)
i love the fact that renault is considering bringing some of its cars to the states, i just dont like this one.
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mike 9:23AM (7/29/2008)
Ithink they are just testing it here, why would they come here when they have a unit in USA, in Nissan.
MajorGeek 9:01AM (7/29/2008)
No one remembers Renault "the one to watch" or am I confused? Seems they would have a reputation to overcome as well for those who remember the old Renault. Holler if I am wrong. Otherwise, who needs another car company, these companies are all losing sales as it is.
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AngeloD 9:11AM (7/29/2008)
Your memory is sound.
Renault peddled a series of crap-a-licious cars here in the US, none more crappy than the Dauphine, the rear engined R-10, the LeCar, and the Alliance.
mr.ed 1:09PM (7/29/2008)
I sure remember Renault in the sixties. A roommmate had a Dauphine, which had perpetual electrical problems, the generator dying on the PA TPK, with no parts for days. He made it home to NY on battery recharges. We never saw the poor car again. All the imported cars were maintenance pits. The only operation that required dealers to inventory every part was VW. Their books were also examined to ensure that all cars were sold at full list price, and no trade values were boosted to accommodate friends or relatives. A friend went to work for an dealer uncle. His new brother-in-law wanted a Karmann Ghia. Stan gave his commission to Dennis as a wedding present. It was the only doable discount.
Alex 9:20AM (7/29/2008)
Is Renault coming stateside? I don't remember hearing anything about that. I'm thinking this more likely to be re-badged as a Nissan, maybe a Chrysler. Personally, i would rather see it become a Chrysler as they need small cars ASAP. I'm no fan boy, far from it, but i would hate to see them dry up.
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Stéphane Dumas 10:59AM (7/29/2008)
+1, the Megane platform could be use for a small Chrysler/Dodge model (new Hornet? unless the Hornet use a smaller platform)
tanooki2003 9:39AM (7/29/2008)
The Megane shares the exact same platform as the current US spec'd Nissan Sentra.
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jim 10:12AM (7/29/2008)
Renault isn't coming to the US, but the Megane would look awfully nice with a Nissan badge or perhaps a Chrysler pentastar.
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jon 11:00AM (7/29/2008)
speaking of cars not in america, the other day i was driving through my home town (st. louis) and i saw a nissan x-trail, a car which is not sold in the united states.
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MONTE 11:12AM (7/29/2008)
I saw a Smart CDI a month or two ago and from all accounts they are not offered in the U.S. either. This wasn't a test car either, it was a local couple just out watching a movie at a theater on a Thursday night.
BlackCanary 2:59PM (7/29/2008)
Did you two Columbos think to look at the tags? Canada maybe? You know there is no law about driving your car from Toronto to a vacation spot in the states, dont you?
Tsunami Racer 11:21AM (7/29/2008)
they test undisguised in the US for the same reason Schumacher likes to vacation here: no one knows, and no one cares. Unless it's got a Hemi, or unless we can pour gravy on it, Amercians done don't care...
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Phil 11:42AM (7/29/2008)
It would make a great Chrysler, we all know they need a small car so why not.
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CalGuy 12:01PM (7/29/2008)
Dang.. this overstyled thing warms me up like an ice cube. Bring me a new R5/ LeCar and I'd drop my $20k in a second.
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SPG 12:22PM (7/29/2008)
I would love to see Renault make a return to North America.
And Citroen and Peugeot for that matter.
I'm guessing this car was just here for testing.
It's also very likely that this car could be a mule for an upcoming Chrysler or even a Nissan for that matter.
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