Renault
Mégane 1.6 RT
| Front and side impact rating |
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Pedestrian test rating |
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Test Scores: Front 12(75%) Side 18(100%) Overall 30(88%) Pedestrian 5(14%)
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Of the
four-star cars, the Mégane provided the best combined
protection for the driver and passenger in the frontal
impact. However, protection for the driver's chest was
weak in the side impact, although it would pass
legislation due to affect new models from October. And in
the frontal impact, the child restraints allowed their
occupants too much forward head movement. Finally,
pedestrian protection was not good because of the high
risk of injury in most of the tests and only one star was
awarded.
The Mégane was the best-performing car in its group when
first tested in 1998 and scored four stars for driver and
passenger protection in frontal and side impacts. Since
then, extra airbags, have been added as standard to every
model, so Euro NCAP has reassessed its ability to deliver
effective protection in side impacts. The car retains its
four-star rating and now scores full marks for the degree
of protection offered in a serious side impact, an honour
for this class of car shared only with the Mercedes
A-class. A new design of seat-mounted side bag in the Mégane
protects the driver’s upper body and head from impact
forces. While others in this class, including the Audi A3,
Volkswagen Golf and Citroën Xsara, have side airbags
fitted as standard, the Mégane delivers more
comprehensive protection. |
Impact
Protection
|
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| Driver
Front Impact |
Passenger
Front Impact |
Driver
Side Impact |
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Frontal
Impact
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| The
passenger compartment maintained its stability throughout
the impact. The driver's airbag provided a stable contact
for the head but it appears to have just 'bottomed out'.
The airbag's exhaust vent is stitched closed and is
designed to rip open as gas pressure increases. However,
when it did, escaping fumes were directed into the
passenger's face (left). Two pads were provided to improve
protection in the knee impact areas around the steering
column. These could protect the knees against concentrated
loads but for some knee positions, high loads could still
be a problem for the upper legs. |
Side
Impact
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| The
driver's head struck the upper seat belt anchorage but the
level of protection provided was nonetheless good.
Protection for his abdomen and pelvis was assessed as
'good', but his chest area faced the greatest risk of
injury. |
Child
Restraint
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| The
forward-facing restraint recommended for the
three-year-old was compatible with the car belts but in
the frontal test it allowed the child's head to move too
far forward. However, in the side impact it worked well to
contain the child's head. A rearward-facing restraint was
recommended for the smaller child and was secured on the
centre seat using the standard-fit three-point belt. The
restraint's protective shell fractured in several places
during the frontal impact, however, and failed to keep the
child's head from moving too far forward. It also failed
to contain its head in the side impact. |
Pedestrian
Protection
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| It
appears that the Mégane's designers have paid little heed
to pedestrian protection. Twelve out of 18 test sites
rated as 'poor' and the remainder rated as 'weak'. |
Model
history and safety equipment
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| The
Mégane was introduced in April 1996. For 1998, the car
features a driver airbag, belt pre-tensioners and load
limiters and power assisted steering as standard in all EU
markets. |
| Body
type |
5-door
hatchback |
| Model
year |
1998
and 1999 |
| Kerb
weight |
1060
kg |
| VIN
and date when rating applies |
Standard
side airbags from VINs VF1BA0VM5, VF1BA0W05 or
VF1BA0405 |
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