Filed under: Economy, Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault
2009 Renault Megane images pop up online
Click above for high-res gallery of the Renault Megane III
Images of the next-gen 2009 Renault Megane III have leaked out onto the interwebs today revealing a more mature design for the French hatchback. The cornucopia of press shots show a five-door hatchback, and while we were told the new Megane III would sport styling inspired by the Megane Coupe Concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last March, we're not seeing much of a resemblance. These shots show a design with swoops, curves and ripples, while the Coupe Concept was much more creased. Regardless, we like the new look, which is saying a lot considering we aren't normally fond of the French school of automotive design. No other details are known, but you can expect an engine range that is more powerful, cleaner and fuel efficient than before.
Gallery: Renault Megane III
[Source: km77 via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TJ 4:05PM (9/02/2008)
Tried a little too hard IMO.
There is a tipping point at which something has too many creases or too many curves. At that point it is just throwing crap at a car to make it something a little more distinctive, but ends up being nothing more than overwrought.
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jgp 6:17PM (9/02/2008)
It could be worse. It could be the Peugeot 308.
Skipper 4:47AM (9/03/2008)
The graphics are too large. looks like a Korean Cracker box.
GJC 4:19PM (9/02/2008)
Kinda resembles the Mazda3, no?
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havoc 5:26PM (9/02/2008)
kinda resembles many cars. the 5 door kidney bean hatchback shape is pretty common these days.
Kitko 6:01PM (9/02/2008)
Kinda Mazda3, Kinda Mazda2, kinda lots of things, rather ugly blend....
Joe 4:29PM (9/02/2008)
Wow. I really like this design. It actually looks much better than the Megane Coupe Concept in my opinion. Very nice!
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geo.stewart 5:39PM (9/02/2008)
its tons better than its cousin, the Nissan Rondo Rogue
HAWC1506 4:30PM (9/02/2008)
The tailights come from the Toyota Venza...but it's much better executed than the Venza. Overall nice design! I wonder if reliability and interior quality are up to standard though...
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Dave 4:31PM (9/02/2008)
Extremely stylish. I especially like the scuptured hood and tailamp/hatch package.
Should be a winner worldwide.
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Torrent 4:40PM (9/02/2008)
all those creases.....
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Noidor 5:46PM (9/02/2008)
I think Citroen is making the best looking French cars at the moment by far, with Renault closing in. Peugeot is a distant 3rd...which is odd because Citroen and Peugeot are both under PSA umbrella.
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Lx 6:52PM (9/02/2008)
Could she forecast the next Sentra? Or is that wildly optimistic...
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Atomicbri 8:28PM (9/02/2008)
WOW! this is a real departure from the current Megane. It is not nearly as unique as the current one. I am kind of disappointed at how mainstream it looks! I mean it is not bad, but not unique as the current version... check it out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Renault_M%C3%A9ganeFacelift.jpg
It looks more to me like the Megane before the one that is on sale now
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moa 5:23AM (9/03/2008)
+1
it doesn't look bad but it can be kia or hyundai
Evan 12:09AM (9/03/2008)
I agree with Atomicbri. I mean, it looks pretty good, but nowhere near as distinctive as the outgoing model.
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JM 3:59AM (9/03/2008)
Well, I really like this design.
For those of you that say "this looks like this one or that one", well, today it is quite difficult to obtain something completely different. The current megane generation was not accepted by everybody, but a good quality/price ratio turn it into a top seller.
It is funny because in this website every compact is compared to the Mazda 3. That is not a bad car, but it is not the reference in its segment, at least in Europe. For example, when talking about a Megane, you should also think of a Citroën C4, Peugeot 308, Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit, Euro Ford Focus, Opel (Saturn) Astra, Euro Honda Civic, Toyota Auris, Audi A3, Euro BMW 1 Series, Seat Leon, Skoda Fabia, and even more.
The German ones are usually known by their engines and the French ones are usually known by their quality interiors and "technology for everybody" gadgets.
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Dondonel 8:03AM (9/03/2008)
Eurohatches are either bizarre like the one above, or the previous Megane, C4, Leon, or boring, like Focus, Auris, A3, Fabia, Golf. There is a third category, hard to classify, kind of like in the middle, where you have Astra or euro Civic - no wonder they are best sellers (similar to the end of all hatch comparisons, Mazda 3, in US). There is a 4th category as well, euro compacts designed by americans, where you get the Mini, the new Beettle, the first TT, Fiat 500 - I personally prefer this group, it's definitely the least generic in terms of design, and yet without the strange and uninspired touches of half of the eurohatches.
Droo 10:42AM (9/03/2008)
Ok, is it just me? I am so SICK of those reverse angled D pillar window openings. It started with the Vibe, (forgive me if thats not the originator, it's just the first car I remember seeing with one), and now it's EVERYWHERE.
There's nothing original about this car, at all, and no I don't think it looks like a Hyundai or KIA, so stop bashing them, LOL.
Way too many lumps, bumps, crease, & folds. The Megane coupe is sexy, this is just a bloated mess. I liked the last one a lot, not becausde it was sexy or hot, but because it was diferent.
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