With so many radical new models being launched in the last couple of years, perhaps Renault needed to take a small breather. That's perhaps one explanation for the modest changes it has made to the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet range, another being a desire not to mess with what was patently a winning formula.

British customers have taken to the option of shutting out the worst the British weather can deal and then flipping their tin-top lids as soon as the mercury thaws out. And although Peugeot initially stole a march on Renault in this area, La Regie came storming back with the Megane CC, a car that made its arch-rival the 307 CC look pudgy and clumsy. Where Peugeot wrought some fairly radical cosmetic surgery on its car, Renault maybe didn't need to try so hard with its mid-life round of changes.

Let's get one thing clear from the outset. If you're looking for a sharp drive, a coupe cabriolet probably isn't the ideal place to start. Yes, they are getting better in this regard but the earlier models, into which we must bracket the Megane CC, feel a little flexible when the hood is down. Most customers will take the occasional shudder of the rear view mirror or clonk from the chassis over potholes as par for the course and the relaxed feel of the Megane, even with the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine option, makes it less of a problem than in models that try a little too hard.

Renault also aces its French rival Peugeot by offering no fewer than five engines and three different transmission choices. The entry-level engine is a 115bhp 1.6-litre VVT unit, there's also a 136bhp 2.0-litre VVT powerplant for those with a heavier right foot and real speedsters will like the 165bhp 2.0-litre Turbo. A little moment of history was made as well - the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet was the first hard-top cabriolet to feature a diesel engine. Nowadays, there are three, a 130bhp 1.9-litre dCi, a more affordable 106bhp 1.5-litre dCi and a range-topping 2.0-litre dCi 150.

With the roof in place, few would finger the Renault as a drop top. The glass roof has been developed by Karmann and takes a mere 22 seconds to fold in on itself, secreted within a cassette in the boot. No latches need to be undone to expedite this process, a button on the centre console taking care of everything. The actual glass itself is 4mm thick Venus 35 glass and features excellent thermodynamic and acoustic properties. It also features a heated rear window and it eliminates the usual ageing worries associated with soft tops. What's more, it's impressively thief and vandal proof.

"With the roof in place, few would finger the Renault as a drop top"

Despite sharing a strong family resemblance with the Megane hatch, in fact only the front headlamps, grille and bumper section and front bonnet are shared with its more practical sibling - though inside, the dashboard and the front seats are identical to those in Megane II. Designed by Renault's Corporate Design Department, the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet is a very sleek car when the roof is down. With the roof up the silhouette is unconventional, the low dome of the roof and the long rear boot lid a little unusual but it's a shape many are now very familiar with.

The key changes to this car have come in adding more equipment and also inserting an additional trim level into the Megane CC range, the Dynamique S. Although prices remain largely unchanged, the trim structure now reads: Extreme, Dynamique, Dynamique S and Privilege, with prices ranging from £17,295 to £23,190.

At the base of the range, the Extreme gains air-conditioning, a CD stereo and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, while the big-selling Dynamique adds climate control, 17" alloys and cruise control with speed limiter. The Privilege levers in standard ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with ASR traction control and CSV understeer control, along with a full beige leather interior.

The Dynamique S comes resplendent in full dark carbon leather upholstery, metallic paint, the same 17" 'Jarsalle' alloy wheels as featured on the GT hatch models, plus chromed roof arches to accentuate the car's roofline and dark grey headlamp surrounds to distinguish the model still further. Given that it only costs around £270 more than the Dynamique, model for model, it's easy to see this derivative capturing plenty of sales.

How much you choose to spend on the Megane CC very much depends on what engine choice you make. If you're a low mileage driver, the less powerful petrol engines work out as the most economical bet, the 1.6-litre Extreme undercutting the entry-level diesel, the 1.5dCi Dynamique, by a good £1,500. All of the engines perform well in terms of fuel economy. The 1.9-litre dCi diesel is the standout performer, returning 49mpg, with even the thirstiest model, the 165bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, eking 35 miles from a gallon of unleaded.

The Megane CC's excellent safety and security record, coupled with modest cost of repair and relatively sedate target customers ensures insurance ratings are a group or two lower than you might at first reckon. Figure on Group 7 for the entry-level cars and Group 13 for the quickest models, on average a whole group lower than the closest rival, the Peugeot 307CC. Depreciation holds firm at around 47 to 48 per cent of retained value three years down the road for most of the petrol models, rising to around 51 per cent for the 1.9-litre diesels.

There is a case for thinking the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet has its work cut out. The long and short of it is that in a notoriously fashion-conscious sector of the market, there are many fresher faces about. Despite this, sales have held very firm and the latest editions offer even stronger value with the Dynamique S model looking particularly attractive.

One area where Renault has never been second best is in the range and quality of engines offered and of the selection available, the 1.9-litre dCi is probably the best bet. Where the Megane scores is in offering features like the hands-free Renault Card for access and ignition, the glass roof, the integrated fuel filler cap and the aviation-style hand brake. These all contribute to the impression that some thought has been paid to styling. Designing a bland-looking coupe-cabriolet is an unforgivable automotive crime.

TOP 5 MEGANE DEALS

The results below show the top MEGANE deals on buyacar

	Renault Megane 1.6 VVT Dynamique 2dr Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £278	Saving £5,260	Price £13,487
	Renault Megane 1.9 dCi Privilege 2dr Auto Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £359	Saving £5,066	Price £17,782
	Renault Megane 2.0 T 16V Dynamique 165 2dr Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £291	Saving £6,249	Price £14,652
	Renault Megane 2.0 T 16V Privilege 165 2dr Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £348	Saving £4,801	Price £17,079
	Renault Megane 1.9 dCi Dynamique 2dr Non FAP Cabriolet Convertible
	ETR	Mthly £298	Saving £5,576	Price £15,314

typical 13.10% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000