Diesel Meganes get automatic ’box

An automatic gearbox is now on offer with diesel versions of Renault’s Megane hatchback, estate and saloon.

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An automatic gearbox is now on offer with diesel versions of Renault’s Megane hatchback, estate and saloon.

Matched to the 100bhp 1.5-litre dCi engine, the four-speed Pro-active gearbox is £1000 more than equivalent manual models. It costs from £14,490 for a five-door hatch in Expression trim or a three-door car in Dynamique.

The three-door hatch is only available in Dynamique form, although every other car can upgrade to Dynamique specification for £500.

The five-door hatch, which is likely to be the best-selling model, has a 0-60mph time of 14.7sec. This makes it 1.9sec slower to 60mph than the manual, and top speed falls from 111mph to 108mph.

Fuel consumption increases by 14.1mpg to 48.7mpg on the combined cycle, but low emissions keep the car in the 18% company car tax band.

Like every other manufacturer, Renault will have to ensure that all of its diesel engines comply with tighter emissions standards by January 2007. When they do they will no longer be subject to the Government’s 3% tax penalty on diesel company cars.

Two petrol-engined automatics are already available in the Megane range, using the 115bhp 1.6-litre and 136bhp 2.0-litre engines.