The Megane is initially available as a five door hatchback in two specification levels, the GT-Line and the GT, the former an entry level car offering sporty accouterments while the latter shapes up as a true rival for other GTI hatches.
The new Megane is an absolute glamour offering a real upmarket shift over the previous model.
Our sporty GT-Line and GT test cars came with specific sportier bumpers, bigger intakes, mesh inserts, unique diffusers and bigger alloy wheels (10-spoke on the GT-Line and curvy five-spoke units on the GT). But the profile is spot-on regardless.
Under the bonnet are a choice of two petrol engines with entry-level models offering a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol with impressive power that belies its small capacity with outputs of 97kW of power and 205Nm of torque bettering rival cars with bigger engines.
The engine is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic.
The GT is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 151kW of power and 280Nm of torque matching popular GTi hatches on the market and is also mated to a six speed manual or a seven speed EDC dual-clutch automatic.
Both models are loaded with features including changeable ambient cabin lights, supportive suede sports buckets with dual-density foam, and a crisp Bose stereo.
There are also TFT digital instruments with digital speedo and multiple display formats and two different-size touchscreens supporting Renault’s simple-to-operate R-Link 2 software: a basic 7.0-inch landscape unit with standard reversing camera display, or an optional 8.7-inch portrait screen that can pinch-and-zoom like a smartphone.
The interior is impressive with terrifically supportive seats as well as boasting enough leg and headroom to fit four large adults. The 434-litre boot is also impressive for the class, large enough to store an average-sized pram or a few travel cases.
Flick through the various driving modes on Renault’s Multi-Sense system in both the GT-Line and GT and you can have instantly adjustable shift patterns for the EDC automatic, the resistance in the electronic power steering increases, the throttle response and even the cabin lighting changes. You can also pipe engine noise into the cabin, to make either drivetrain sound more aggressive and guttural from the driver’s seat.
The new Megane’s strong chassis balance and well-sorted suspension are some of the highlights of the new model of which there are many. Race on down to Brian Hilton Renault at Gosford or Sydney City Renault in Alexandria to catch the all-new Megane.