Baby-engined Megane is a stunner

Renault goes head-to-head with VW Golf at the tills, which makes comparisons interesting.

The brand's latest C-Class contender will be available in both hatch and coupé guises and features two exciting new variants - a hot 162kW GT Turbo and a new 1.2-litre GT-Line Turbo which is not only out-performs the bigger 1.4-litre it replaces but now also wears the crown as the hottest 1.2-litre engine on the local market. The new entry-level Megane is the 81kW 1.6-litre Dynamique.

The introduction of the three new versions spells the end of the current 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6-litre turbo-diesels in the Megane stable. The 162kW model is due to become the new magnet for the performance fans for although the brand retains its RS models they will not be updated for at least another year or so.

Just a tweak here and there

Not that the three new Meganes have made a huge leap forward in terms of looks. The mainly cosmetic changes include reshaped LED lights and signature black grille with a brightly shining silver Renault Diamond badge. The smaller-engined Turbo model has new bumpers, 17-inch dark alloys and a matt mirror and door handle finish. Inside there is an abundance of GT-Line branding, complete with GT-Line strip across the dash. The Big Boy of the range sprints on bigger 18-inch alloys and shows-off its GT credentials with badges on its nose and bum.

During a two-day media launch in Gauteng I drove both the GT-Line and Turbo models and the one that really surprised, delighted and stood out by a mile was the impressive 1.2 GT-Line Turbo which seems to go out of its way to be driver-friendly. It is chirpy off the mark, handles as well as the faster model and is as good looking as the R50,000 more expensive 162kW model.

The Megane scores good Brownie points in the technology and safety departments.

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Initially it is a tad difficult to get one's mind round the fact that its 97kW/205Nm output is produced by such a small engine. To add to the fun, when the revs get to 2000rpm in second and third gear an overboost kicks in to add an extra dollop of 20Nm. Renault claims a 0-100km/h dash time of 9.7 seconds and a top- speed of 200km/h for this baby-engined model. It also claims a combined fuel consumption of 5.4-litres/100km.Of the three options this to me is by far the best every-day, standout choice of the three newbies.

Ze wild child

The 162kW model, on the other hand, is much more of a wild child. It is reasonably happy to potter along in traffic but what it really wants to do (and where it excels) is when you stomp down on the pleasure pedal. It scoots out of the starting stalls with great enthusiasm and will gallop at flat-on-the-floor pace through the shifts to go-to-jail-speeds in quick time.

There haven't been many changes to the general appearance.

Renault says its new Turbo flagship is capable of doing the 0-100 run in 7.6 seconds and will top out at 240km/h. Fuel consumption is given as 7.3-litres/100km but as anybody with a few drops of high octane in his veins will tell you, this sort of figure is rarely attainable in the real world when driving an enthusiastic sprinter such as this turbo. It is a pure adrenaline rush to drive and it is not easy to keep it reined in... the temptation of setting those eager horses free is just too big!

Renault goes head-to-head with VW Golf at the tills, which makes comparisons interesting. For instance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the benchmark hot hatch, is a faster over the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds (Renault Turbo 7.9 sec) and flat-out, with a top speed of 244km/h (Turbo 240 km/h) - but at R392,700 the German is also a lot more expensive than the Renault's R329,900.

Safe, my mate

However, where the Megane scores good Brownie points is in the technology and safety departments. All three models have six airbags (front, side and curtain) with anti-submarining airbags an addition to the Coupé derivatives; ABS coupled with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA); cruise control plus speed limiter and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with electronic anti-slip regulation (ASR) and 3-point ISOFIX seat anchorage on side rear seats.

Renault says its new Turbo flagship is capable of doing the 0-100 run in 7.6 seconds and will top out at 240km/h.

Also standard across the range are dual-zone climate control, fingertip controls behind the steering wheel, an integrated navigation system including live services (too detailed to discuss here), Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, auto locking/unlocking and rear park assist.

The Megane competes in a highly competitive segment of the market where it has to do battle with the likes of the Ford Focus, Opel Astra, Honda Civic, VW Golf and Scirocco and Peugeot 308. Although not an automatic first choice in this line-up, the latest Megane three-some give the French brand a slighter sharper edge and could nudge sales up a good few notches.

Specifications

The Megane range

Renault Megane hatchback 2014 review - Carbuyer

Renault Megane 2014 in depth review Interior Exterior

2014 Renault Megane 2.0l SE - Review by AutoReview - Dubai