Renault Megane Smash | Top Gear

Richard Hammond puts the safest family car you can buy, the Renault Megane, to the ultimate test. No crash test dummy here as a real driver careers the Megane into another car at 30mph. Contains behaviour which could be imitated.
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[@lukarochon2700]

0:14 bald jeremy clarkson in the top left

[@bhavimishra]

he is a look alike

[@simpleinverso8628]

@@raki31 _yeos_

[@mynameisesteves]

Omg

[@Megadriver]

Hahahaha! Guy does look like Jezza.

[@Arnold28200]

XD

[@wimmaervoet915]

Back when Richard Hammond didn't do his own crashes yet

[@basvanbeers3515]

Deserves a million likes. I really did laugh out loud!

[@Bacon_94]

Ja

[@byst33]

This is probably the most practical and informative video they ever made

[@RJSRdg]

Yes, this item would have been at home in proper Top Gear (i.e Woollard/Goffey/Mason era)

[@afranca1825]

3:46 was the last moment that the Renault had new car smell.

[@ThePirouliette]

Then Hamster closed the door, on a sunny day. That scent must had been marvelous !

[@xxx_dankmemer69_xxx70]

1:48 back when top gear had deaf sound editors

[@him050]

It’s probably the compression from it being uploaded to KZbin

[@Gabson9]

@@him050 nope, they were just like that in the early series.

[@him050]

@@Gabson9 wow, I’m surprised the BBC would allow such shoddy editing to air

[@superdrinkingpepsi]

@@Gabson9 No, it's the YT uploads. IIRC BBC uploaded 5.1 versions of the clips which doesn't really work all that well on YT

[@ageandorange9514]

They lost the rights to the original Soundtrack, it‘s overdubbed music.

[@ericstranne]

At 0:37, I thought to myself "Small family hatchback? That's enormous" But then it struck me. "Ah, it's Hammond next to it"

[@joker750]

2:29 This guy wants to fight

[@jackwheatley9114]

Haha u wot m9

[@Maxmulham]

+Milos Jovicic I know this is an old comment but it's even funnier when you realize that its in the same area (possibly the same street) of where they filmed that Bittersweet Symphony music video.

[@jackwheatley9114]

General Cabbagehead I thought of that music video when I watched this ha

[@drcheekyisback]

Short stocky guy looks like Levi Bellfield 🚨

[@Electric__]

He looks Russian

[@hamzaahmed1280]

“This is Lee and he has crashed cars before” Lee’s insurance: 📈📈📈

[@biz0829]

Back when Top Gear was actually an informative show

[@jaydenclifford1520]

+DroidTech no, not new topgear

[@kylenetherwood8734]

That was the 1970's Top Gear

[@bjonkofficial]

Ben Orth - be grateful for what you have! Now it sucks 😭

[@sirtommothy977]

And entertaining

[@rosmadiabdullah74]

Despite being informative or not it still good when Jeremy clarkson and James and Richard was still in the show :c

[@derbigpr500]

Because at the time when this video was filmed, Renault was by far the safest car brand in the world, it had most cars with 5 starts on EuroNCAP, and let me remind you, first car ever to get 5 stars was a Renault Laguna, not a Volvo. At the time S60 barely got 4 starts.

[@rushy0157]

That Megan phase 2 design still looks relatively modern 2 generations later!

[@MJ-uk6lu]

It looks like shrunken Espace

[@hyper_5pace902]

Looks like it had silicone implants in it's ass. Tbf though it does make it safer.

[@skylined5534]

Rushy, yep, still looks pretty fresh now! Sitting in a facelift estate version as I type this!

[@Sapizanza]

We owned that car for 10 years. Only once have we had an issue where my father was passing by a construction site and the magnet messed up the slot key,could open the door but the engine wouldn't register it. Just don't buy the 1.4 version

[@rushy0157]

@Sapizanza wow that's impressive, did you own the actual one in this video? I've since bought a phase 3 clio as my first car which I've owned for 3 years now, I think that design has aged well too along with the megane, i've made a couple of videos about it on my channel feel free to check them out, what's wrong with the 1.4 version?

[@iliutaovidiu9815]

0:51 Renault ad lmao.

[@Nutshell2K]

Anyone else find the sound editing in this video atrocious?

[@infiltr80r]

+Nutshell2K I think it has something to do with the upload, settings and/or how KZbin encodes audio. Don't think it was this bad when airing on TV.

[@Nutshell2K]

+infiltr80r I hope not. if so, maybe THIS is the reason the show is now trash ;)

[@infiltr80r]

Nutshell2K Yeah, I think someone tried to convert 5.1 to stereo with improper settings.

[@XxCriealisxX]

+Nutshell2K No their sound guy is just deaf

[@shadmansudipto7287]

Not just this, so many old top gear episodes.

[@cordiasr7021]

1:35 is that a white mk3 supra in the corner???

[@nikitas2105]

CordiaSR hell yeah, also spotted it, great I'm not alone

[@stefanwinter1377]

Yes it is! I was about to comment.

[@hybridAbsol]

Next to it is a black RX7

[@JoCaTen]

@@hybridAbsol looks like a miata to me

[@Kazi2812]

I had a crash in a clio 2 exactly the same as this down to the positioning. Was a pleasant experience indeed, apart from the car being written off obviously. Renault has my trust!

[@skylined5534]

Those little mk2s, one of of all time favourite cars!

[@picklesrule69]

I just looked up this megane on the DVLA cos I was bored, its still on the road :O

[@MrSupercar55]

picklesrule69 so they would have torched off the front chassis legs and welded new ones on. There goes the 5-star safety rating.

[@yorkshire_tea_innit8097]

It's not on the road anymore. It was last MOT'd in 2012 with only 63k miles.

[@satsumagt5284]

@@yorkshire_tea_innit8097 well, but it was until 2011 (which is when that person commented)

[@yorkshire_tea_innit8097]

@@satsumagt5284 and?

[@sunnyliu9820]

@@yorkshire_tea_innit8097 his point is Is that the vehicle was still on the road when he posted his comment in 2011, bearing in mind this test occured somewhere between 2003-2005

[@tinomatic1501]

man was so confused after the crash hahahah

[@Herbertti3]

Don't worry, I'm like that 90% of the time.

[@grandmasashes0]

Caught lackin in the whip

[@skylined5534]

Man was? Oh, lucky man.

[@AARon-gg3sj]

This car is already almost 20 yrs old. Time flies by.

[@AlastorTheNPDemon]

Did their sound editor even take his job seriously?

[@skylined5534]

You know that's nothing like it was when aired... yes? Jesus, some people.

[@tophoca]

We have a Megane 2 Hatchback 1.4 (2008) and despite the odd niggle with electrical problems and these have been few and far between, the Renault seems to be a sturdy car. We had a crash with a Hyundai 130i a few months back when the Hyundai driver crossed in front of us. The Renault needed a new headlight, the plastic bumper (tampon) needed plastic welding as did the front wing, plus paint, total cost 328GBP (sterling) and we suffered not a scratch. The Hyundai was written off after the subframe had become detached from the body shell and both occupants suffered minor injuries. Say what you will about Renault but our Megane was back on the road in two days, built like a tank as they say and the Hyundai sits on top of a pile of cars at the local breakers yard!

[@MrSupercar55]

That's Hyundai for you. Hyundais suck donkey balls.

[@mikebird7161]

@@MrSupercar55 I used to own an i40. It was the most expansive car I have ever owned for repairs and I only had it 11 months. It was 7 years younger than the Passat it replaced and I thought getting a newer car would have cost me less to run. I will not buy another Hyundai. Also their UK customer service is terrible as well as the dealer network.

[@Sapizanza]

1.4 was the worst engine in those since it's the same engine from a Clio but with a different computer. Apperently 1.4 Megane had problems with computer which made the engine iddle,bbehave wrong with huge malfunctions. We had 1.6 and never nothing except when engine didn't recognize the slot card and the car did but this was common on 2nd gen Megane

[@Sapizanza]

@@mikebird7161 Some Hyundais are hit or miss. I still don't get why people buy Kias which is a lower tier Hyundai. If you really think good value is supported with a 7 year old warranty I've got a bridge to sell to you. Or those new Vitaras and say they are good cars. Japanese car made in China/Hungary with parts from Malasya and a Fiat computer

[@connormurdock2545]

@@plum_bit hes talking about the suzuki vitara, which is japanese.

[@woohooo000]

"This is Lee, our Top Gear brave person" lol

[@BassistInTheShadow]

Seems like they managed to put it back on the road after this, just had a look on the vehicle enquiry site.

[@harrygoozee]

Levan P It's been off the road for 2 years now.

[@arielatom03]

No Name its been off the road since 2013

[@JoeBlac]

@@arielatom03 so ten years after TG crashed it.

[@vitosludden7202]

did you see the front i dont think it was damaged much just replace seatbelts and airbags and the broken parts on the font end and its roadworthy

[@onelyone6976]

@@vitosludden7202 I mean there’s still gonna be some dent pulls, new fenders and bumper and probably a new radiator

[@elementalsheep2672]

My first car (which I still drive) is a 2006 low-end 1.6L 16V Renault Mégane 5-door hatch, and apart from the odd electrical failures (driver’s side window, and a few others) and some particularly not-built-to-last plastic hinges on some of the door compartments, the car gets along well. It has plenty of power for a family hatch and has good economy and is built pretty well.

[@nasosgreece45]

I have the renault megane sedan and it is an amazing car! And very fun to drive!

[@carloscases96]

Not really

[@skylined5534]

@CarlosBna Yes, really. What E46 is in your photo? VANOS, bore or disintegration of the rear bulkhead so far? Bonus issues include just about anything electrical and lots of rust research days.

[@lenstah7745]

I miss these type of episodes to be completely honest, I'm not even good at fixing cars or shit like that, but this was super informative especially when I was buying one, for sure it's a great car if you are on budget. Very comfortable in my experience.

[@ome69]

I love my Megane, feels so safe and has a bit of power when you need it :)

[@MrSupercar55]

Yeah. Good little motors. Only thing not to like is the keycard. If a car thief is skilled enough to use a reverse engineered computer gizmo in what's called a relay attack then that keycard basically gives him a free pass.

[@UTopia-eg7gm]

Mr supercar If a car thief wants, he can steal any car.

[@bali1876]

@@MrSupercar55 why would any one want to steal a Renault no offence to Renault

[@MrSupercar55]

@@bali1876 it’s not just specific to Renault. It can happen to any car that uses this technology, so wrap that key fob in tin foil!

[@robloxfan4271]

Had a megane before and 4 scenics, both me and my dad much rather the scenic

[@shanjanusman9974]

The Old Times of The good ol days

[@HFLanciaStratos]

They would have never done this 10 years ago. It's amazing how safe cars have become.

[@Luisgtm95]

I like the back. after watching it every morning in a neighbor's driveway I find it elegant and cool

[@Wh3atley]

It's been 8 years now. Has your neighbour still got the car?

[@Luisgtm95]

Ka_goe Actually yes!, its a Silver RS, still looks sharp and like new, I don’t think he drives it much however.

[@skylined5534]

@Luisgtm95 Man I miss my old orange RS225! I'd have another like a shot!

[@DragonGamingsHouse]

Can confirm that the crash was pleasant, my Meganes written off but atleast when I plowed into a Yaris i felt quite relaxed.... The most painful part of this car is the electrics, wouldn't recommend. Although it looks nice to some people (myself included) the hassle of it electronic faults are too much.

[@MrGrumpygit488]

Your windows stopped working as well?

[@DragonGamingsHouse]

no, even better. Some days thye would decide to either, go in the wrong direction or just stop working completely.

[@christiankluft6566]

+Rob Keenan haha same my windows go the wrong way to some times, just a question, is your seat belt going back slowly too ?

[@ZZZxRv]

Our previous car was the Sedan version of this and the electronics were going bad. The center screen started to not come on from time to time.

[@DragonGamingsHouse]

yes that happened to mine try cleaning out the fuse box under the bonnet, helped mine with loads of issues

[@MrStitty26]

We'll I have never had any issues with any of my renaults and I had a nasty crash in one and all it needed was a new door and wing. Nothing els was wrong with the car and that's after sliding on snow and black ice and taking out 16 feet of fence.

[@davemeese6788]

My finger hurts from constantly pressing the volume button

[@sevens12]

Take off the cover on your phone or tab

[@mrlebanon6055]

Stop wining god kids these days🤦🏻‍♂️

[@oliverhooper435]

I just looked up Hoxton Square on Google Maps and the first Street view I went to had both a Renault Mégane and a Renault TC8 in frame, scarily conspicuous

[@0MrAnon2]

I love how this is the top related video for the "Would you Smash It" Richard Keys video

[@MartiniPinball]

Renault didn't even knew they did this, and after the result they were actually quite pleased.

[@samverve]

Love the fake phone call to renault at the end!

[@bestfreak]

Thanks for the review

[@UTopia-eg7gm]

Nice car; I still like the design after all those years.

[@BowlerNo1]

5:13 CYA Renault! Just like on the numberplate! As with all Renault's, very good and very safe!

[@Iameverything]

I have this car and it's fucking awesome. Well made, good looking, pretty fast and comfortable. I have the one with a keycard instead of standard key, those cards can be damaged pretty easily and they are not cheap. The other downfall is weird hand brake, handle feels very cheap and as if it could break in a sec. Besides that, great car.

[@matawin2]

that guy back of the 2 blacks is HUGE!

[@arinpanfil8130]

am I the only one worried aboout that box of sardines he left open on the front seat...in a hot day...

[@startedtech]

Funny how virtually every safety feature mentioned is standard now.

[@skylined5534]

True! I didn't realise the seat belt anchorage points were engineered to peel away at a controlled rate though, that's pretty impressive engineering!

[@Tajemni3]

1:38 80's Supra yoooo

[@henrymitchell8824]

6:06 Notice the number plate says cya

[@megaangelic]

has fitted whiplash protection as standard since 1998. Search on youtube for Volvo crash test centre. It's a few years old the video, and they have made it even more advanced since then. However it gives you an idea of the lengths they go to, to make sure their cars are safe at any speed or situation.

[@mikebird7161]

It was on the road for 10 years going by the MOT history. Its last MOT recorded the mileage at 63,150

[@cainanuk]

I have had this exact same wreck in a Peugeot 307... basically the same car... and I can tell you, no sound effects here. I also walked away unscathed although the car was a total loss.

[@ZiptiedNissanS14]

I don't much like the car.. but this is why Top Gear was so successful. They actually reviewed the cars. From this Renault. to the RX8, to the Sesto Elemento and the McLaren P1. the few episodes of new top gear were less cars and more "look at the adventure we're on" BRING BACK THE 3 AND THE COOL WALL

[@SrHirokumata]

as an owner of a Mondeo Mk1 exactly like that one... (left steer diference) id love to see more of how it ended up as side hitted :)

[@Sankrityayan07]

I feel for the crash guy. What an awful job he has.

[@ijsbert6174]

If he wouldn't like it, he wouldn't be doing it :)

[@miloraddjurdjic1695]

because everybody likes their jobs and nobody is doing something that they don't like because we all have a lot of options,right?

[@h3l0p6]

utkarsh sankrityayan he was driving 30 km/h lol 🤣🤣

[@ninjamarcin25]

they're filmed it in Britain not km/h but MPH. It was close to 50 kp/h. Lol, you clearly didn't watch TopGear enough

[@MrSupercar55]

Every precaution was taken there. They would have chosen smooth ground so the other car could be pushed for quite a considerable distance, lessening the crash forces as the energy is dissipated pushing the other car sideways, and they would have had paramedics on standby just in case. If you, as a real world motorist, are unlucky enough to be in a car crash where your car stops dead in its tracks, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AS THE FORCES CAN AND OFTEN DO DAMAGE YOUR INTERNAL ORGANS. (Kilmer, 2018) kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3uveYKvh7WbbdU

[@DCuerpoJr]

@Savsavidge Airbags deploy based on area of impact. If he was hit from the side, those would have gone off instead.

[@cpowell786]

I sometimes forget how awesome top gear is....And that guy is a boss....

[@AlonsitisDuff]

I'm sure he's had to have a heavy whipslash

[@bengrocott1265]

It’s scary how confident he was to crash it 😂

[@LuckyCharburner]

well, thing is, most of the impact was absorbed by the ford, not the megane. so basically, if there were people in the ford, they wouldve been injured much more severely

[@nejckra]

Richard is also a Top Gear brave person to call Renault to tell them they crashed the megane. On purpose.

[@tacosr]

That guy has balls doing that crash test!

[@DCuerpoJr]

The survival rate of a head on impact with two vehicles at 60+MPH is less than 20% and the probability of sustaining life altering injuries is over 95%. With today's technology, you'd still need to be in a big rig, bus or tank to survive an impact like that and walk away unharmed. Remember, improving safety typically adds weight and size to a vehicle. That's why compact cars built today are about 500 lbs heavier than compacts built 15 years ago.

[@daveys84]

i do love this car, my sister gave me her 2004 megane and its still running sweet as, no new parts needed ever. i admit she did 12k miles in it but its still like new, no problems etc. the car they show is in the blue i got and i love it, but mine came to me dull and spent 4 days making it sparkle again. in the past snow of this year i did get hit by a other lady driver and well the megane had nothing on it but the other car was smashed up badly shows how good built it is.

[@koshfu]

BBC KZbin soundman - YOUR'E FIRED!

[@carwrtr1]

I agree with you; they make some very nice looking cars. You can thank the Japanese for running the French, Italian, and British motor industries out of the U.S. market.

[@robindanneels3750]

I have the same one but in a 14i 16 v.is now 20 years old bit still riding😉

[@smoketinytom]

Even Renault were surprised they did this. And Euro NCAP were also rather surprised, but pleased to see their rating had obviously been correct.

[@oisindaly2669]

Now it’s the grand tour

[@Mittin08]

My friend rolled his Toyota 4Runner at 130 KPH and walked away with a cut on his chin and some seat-belt bruises. He fell asleep at the wheel, woke up in the middle of a 4 lane highway and over-corrected, rolling 3 times... Lucky bastard

[@akamiguelsanchez9985]

Say what you want but this was and still is a great family car

[@RayanM50B25]

5 stars because it will get you to destination before it gets to 60MPH

[@hua.g]

wow that reply was fast xD

[@Hacker07Gaming]

He crashed like a boss

[@RanjMN]

That was the STIG! :D

[@ChavanAr]

The Renault barely deformed at all! Holy crap!

[@Vladpryde]

There's a firearms Self Defense expert who's work I've studied for years, named Massad Ayoob. I read in a book of his once; an experience he had with a group of Doctors one day in a parking lot. As is his job and field of study, he travels all across the country, interviewing doctors, witnesses, police officers, suspects, victims, and reviewing shooting data including morgue and autopsy reports/cadavers of those who have died in shootings. He's a career Police Officer, who's studied this field for about 40 years. Anyways...one story he told always stood out to me. He wrote of speaking with a group of Doctors in a parking lot after an "at-hospital" session where he interviewed various physicians about gun shot wounds. He was leaving, when he looked around the parking lot and noticed that almost all the vehicles the doctors drove were large, full-size vehicles of very stout make and model; such as Cadillac Sedans, Ford Crown Victorias, large SUVs, etc etc. He turned to one of the doctors and pointed this out. "This isn't a coincidence, is it?" The doctor replied, "no Mas, it isn't. When you've seen what we've seen as Emergency Room and Trauma Care Doctors what happens to a body in a car crash, the results speak for themselves." So there you go. I just thought that was an interesting little story that's always stuck out in my mind. Certainly some truth it to to be sure.

[@isaackarjala7916]

Large cars also make it more dangerous to not be in a large car, and the safety gained by being in a large car is lost when you are surrounded by other large cars; the result being you need a larger car and eventually everyone is driving around in tanks with 5,000 HP engines (cause you still need to go fast) getting 10 fpg with gas prices at $10/pt.

[@Vladpryde]

Isaac Karjala ... -_- Yeah, I'll stick to my full-size sedan, thank you.

[@nicjennings8137]

+Isaac Karjala 1 dollar 69 cents where I live I'll stick with my suv for now...... With 300 horse power

[@nicjennings8137]

Vladpryde Sir, that was beautiful 👌

[@nicjennings8137]

Yes, I completely understand

[@20VGT]

It was Jeremy all along.. he is the secret audio editor ..

[@nevids2086]

0:37 omg I thought that was the first few notes to speed boy

[@nigahiga6400]

renault has made great designs, and they should be on sale in the us.

[@aveoxus]

lol, the last three letters on the megane's license plate read "CYA"

[@Gabson9]

that car was in service till 27 September 2012

[@davebentley4829]

I JUST GOT ONE OF THESE,AND I ONLY PAID £500 FOR IT,ITS A 2008 1400CC 2 DOOR,WITH 90,734 MILES ON THE CLOCK,ITS HAD TWO OWERS AND ONE WAS A DOCTOR

[@xenongames7533]

I wonder why I don't see these on the road any more

[@7starsfear]

Nice and safe car,but i've seen one catch on fire ... i still don't know how that was possible,but the whole car burned right there.But i would tottally buy one,regardless the weird experiance :D

[@davidmac2007]

why are you giving me adverts, that's why we pay tv licence

[@jayebush1491]

the peuogt 307 had a five star rateing from euro encap and that was in 2002

[@xRAMxDOD]

if you get right on the dot at 5:18, you can see the airbag explosion at work

[@newdimensionfilms]

Haha this is the car my family rented when we went to Italy. We stayed in this place that was very remote and I took it on some pretty bad dirt roads, it was very fun haha.

[@twrk139]

What's the point of the airbag if your head is never gonna get close to it with those seatbelts

[@mawa6969]

Nah, you can't think like that anymore, Renault has had a few problems with the new electronics in the beginning of this century, but they got much better on their current vehicules, statistics prove it. Plus, Renault is probably the best hot hatches constructor! Even if there good hot hatches elsewhere, the megane 250, the clio v6, the megane r26r, the r5 turbo, those are really bonkers! They even kind of invented the very concept of the hot hatch with the dauphine 1093...

[@RossoSimRacing]

Mad sound editor attacks again!!

[@baijokull]

I wanna hear that phone call to renault :D

[@Robhalifax]

I had one of these. It was a nice car to drive but sadly it had the traditional French electrical faults.

[@skylined5534]

Such as? There are two main things on these cars, the regulators (cheap and easy fix) and the less than stellar water proofing on the loom connections between the body and doors (again, easy to fix).

[@Robhalifax]

@@skylined5534 Drivers window. Wipers (front and back). Went through excessive amount of light bulbs. It was a lease car and less than 3 yrs old so didnt have to pay to get the work done but not what you would expect of a nearly new car. I still quite liked it though. Had the 120 diesel engine which was good.

[@darthautie1179]

Is it just me or did that crash sound just a little bit soothing?

[@darthautie1179]

Especially the tyre squeal

[@Icemannaz]

it takes about 2 minutes ,u take the cover off and twist the bulb connector,it can be stiff so use a plyer

[@difsid569]

I really love this Renault Megan II and I may buy it when I get a job I wish sooooooo. and it's gonna be my first car. can anyone give me advice is it a good car and from which country is the good one

[@havnav2842]

So Did you get a job after all those years ?

[@difsid569]

@@havnav2842 oh shit lol 😂 i don't even remember that comment

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

It's top gear stunt man!

[@slayerfans]

This is the main reason I got this, now, 2 weeks after purchase the effin' airbag-light & service-light turns on every time i start the car. Gotta love it.

[@ELBrochure]

can i have a copy of this video please ?? i want to a part of this video in my one please

[@richie6921]

Best car I've ever had.I'll stick with Meganes as long as they keep making them

[@skylined5534]

Same! Some idiots ( those who've never owned Renaults) like to trash talk them but they're excellent. Currently sitting in my much loved mk2 facelift Grandtour. I've had some really quite nice cars here and there but this is hands down one of my favourites!

[@michiel1551]

@jspector86 well actually renault was pretty happy they crashed it, because it showed they weren't lying about the safety.

[@onthekeys2423]

This should be titled: Renault ad

[@jtr990]

Phew! Thank goodness!