#DesignReview #Renault #Mégane II
The Mégane II with its chiseled looks and European Car of the Year for 2003 award, was launched in September 2002 as a completely fresh start for Renault: it couldn’t have been more different from the soft and rounded first generation.
In the early 2000s Le Quément - responsible for novel monobox designs such as the first Twingo and Scenic - was aiming to have Renaults look more French. In an interview with Car Magazine he emphasized how very important feeling the Frenchness of Renault was for him – cultural traceability, as present with some German brands, was key in his search for French aesthetics.
The design revolution initiated by Le Quément was introduced by the Clio facelift, followed by the Laguna II and subsequently the Avantime, the latter pioneering a radical new body typology. The not overly successful Vel Satis followed and the Mégane II finished the revolution thereafter.
Mégane II was heavily influenced by the design language of the Avantime. It also showcased Renault’s innovative technologies such as the Renault Card keyless ignition system - a first in this class - and also the optional panoramic glass sunroof.
Like the Mégane I the range of models for this second generation was wide. It consisted of a Sport Hatch three door, pictured in this Homage Sketch, and a Hatch five door. Also on offer were a Sport Saloon, a Grandtour and a hard top Convertible designed by Karmann.
Especially the dramatic tail of the hatchbacks, evolving from that of the Avantime, with its near-vertical rear window and curved boot made the car almost looks like a 2-and-a-half-box vehicle. Combined with a strong shoulder and radical window graphics, specifically on the 3-door version, the Mégane II is a unique piece of sculpture.
Some designers find Mégane II to be so important, they claim it will influence all future family hatchback designs – similar to what Chris Bangle’s E65 7-series did for the luxury car market. Le Quément sees Bangle as a real friend, both can look back on a highly successful automotive design career.
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