Renault‘s new Megane should be the next model to benefit from the firm’s 100,000-mile warranty – first seen on the Laguna – when the lower medium hatchback is launched this October.
The warranty move is part of company president Carlos?Ghosn’s target of top-three reliability levels in each model’s sector.
The new Megane will stick closely to the design of the concept car revealed earlier this year, according to fleet boss Keith Hawes. “There won’t be the gullwing doors, but it won’t be dissimilar,” he said.
The new car will make its public debut at October’s Paris motor show just before UK sales kick off, and is a more subtle design than the controversial bustle-backed predecessor.
A coupe version will follow the five-door in January 2009 and a three-door hatch is expected to arrive a couple of months behind that.
“The new Megane will be getting away from the current car, which drives well and is reliable, but still has an extreme perception,” continued Hawes. “There have been lots of neat changes to road holding, drive and comfort. Dynamically, the new car is better.”
Hawes also stressed the car’s fleet importance. “The lower medium section represents around 60% of the fleet sector. A lot of people are downsizing in search of lower running costs and the new car is bigger than the outgoing Megane.
“We have invested more in the quality of interior materials so the car looks fresher. This will lead to better RVs. We are following on from what we have started with the new Laguna.”