The excitement was tangible inside Renault's stunning and futuristic design centre near Paris early last month. We were among a small group of European motoring journalists seeing the new X-84 range for the first time, Andrew Hamilton
X-84 is the code name given to the successor to the present Mégane range.
When the wraps came off, Renault certainly lived up to its current bold and adventurous styling philosophy that's evident on the flagship Vel Satis model. The new daring Mégane makes its debut at the Paris motor show in late September and it should be on Irish sale late this year, in time for the buoyant first months of the 2003 market.
So, what's daring about it? Surprisingly, it's at the back rather than the front. X-84 has a panoramic rear screen and angular back windows that are reminiscent of the Vel Satis. The unusual rear offers plenty of headroom, while a wide track and significantly lengthened wheelbase also give lots of leg and elbow space.
Renault has invested €2.1 billion in the new vehicle. At the preview, chairman Louis Schweitzer told us of ambitious plans to sell 700,000 new Méganes in Europe in a full year of production and 5.5 million during its total life.
That's 10 per cent more than the old range. Launched in 1995, it gave Renault much of its present strength, especially in its later family MPV manifestation, the Scenic. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Scenic formula was followed by other manufacturers. Now there's no less than a dozen other examples, from the Opel Zafira to the Hyundai Matrix.
X-84 will come in saloon, hatchback and coupé form with petrol and diesel engines that are mostly carried over from the present model line-up.
Our preview included a Scenic successor to be launched next year. It, too, has the X-84 styling lines and interestingly there's seven-seat accommodation like that offered by the Scenic's arch-rival, the Zafira.
Renault's alliance with Nissan has meant a leap forward in manufacturing efficiency, according to Renault executive vice-president Alain de Smedt.
The X-84 will provide the platform for the successor to the current Almera, while the new Micra, which will go on Irish sale at the start of next year, will share its platform with the next Clio: "We are getting a 25 per cent gain in productivity through pooling procurement and operational costs with Nissan," he says.