31 May 2011
Not everyone is in the market for a convertible (half your luck) yet - if you are - we doubt if the new Renault Megane CC Dynamique will tickle your French fancy.
Starting at $45,990, the Megane directly rivals the Volkswagen EOS, and as a comparison, like comparing a Mercedes Corby bikini spread to that of Miranda Kerr - it simply, and sadly, cannot compete.
The Scoop
There’s something comical about this car and, although I can’t quite put my finger on it, I can only best liken it to a teenage girl dressing up in her mother’s clothes - this car just doesn’t pull whatever it is trying to prove.
The drive
Where do I start? I strain in unison with the car to find something nice to say about the Megane CC Dynamique, suffice to say the drive is jarring, stiff and mostly noisy.
The CC Dynamique seems to jerk at times, the steering is quite frankly horrible and hard and with the roof down, passengers in the rear unfortunately cop the full brunt of noise, wind and severely limited leg-room. Not exactly the convertible experience one is after. On that note, the CC Dynamique is largely uncomfortable for both passenger and driver.
The interior is way too small with poorly designed storage, the dashboard is ugly with cheap, plastic knobs and buttons and the gear stick is placed in an unusually strange position. To top it all off, there is a severe lack of boot space - I know it’s a convertible but could you even call that a boot?
Safety
The Megane CC Dynamique currently does not have a safety rating, yet comes with front, side and anti-submarining airbags for the front seats - but there’s no rear side or curtain airbags. Along with stability control, rear hoops can pop up in case of a roof-down rollover.
3 words to describe this car
Pretentious, ugly, stiff
What are the best things about this car?
The roof folds in just 22 seconds and therefore is high on my novelty-factor.
What are the downsides of this car?
The drive and lack of convertible sex-appeal.
What kind of petrol did this car use?
Unleaded and sips 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres
Soundtrack of choice for the Renault Megane CC Dynamique?
The Soul Bossa Nova – the theme-track from Austin Powers.