Renault’s new 150PS 2.0-litre diesel has been quietly introduced to the Megane range.
With 150PS available you’d think Renault would be jumping up and down about the availability of such an engine, given the current appetite for quick diesels. However, the Megane is not quick. Or more precisely it doesn’t feel quick. Both the 140PS Volkswagen Golf and similarly powerful Focus feel like faster cars.
This is partly because the Megane, in anything other than RenaultSport guise, is a comfortable car and not sporty. The lack of any feeling of rapidity also comes from the engine refinement, which is impressive.
Unfortunately, the 31.3ppm Megane doesn’t stack up on costs with both the equivalent Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf beating it by a couple of pence per mile.
Verdict: A victim of its own prowess. A quick diesel that doesn’t feel quick due to top refinement
