Revealed to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show , the stylish family hatch has been given a comprehensive update over the previous model and features Renault’s latest look with a large diamond logo sitting between slim headlight clusters and distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights.
Renaultis having something of a design revolution lately, and the new Meganehatch is the latest to benefit from the French brand’s latest family look.
The curvy design shares cues with the recently-revealed Talisman and Espace, but also falls in line with the latest Renault cars that are available in the UK like the new Kadjarcrossover and popular Cliosupermini.
At the back, the rising waistline and slim rear windows meet the unusual rear lights that stretch across almost the full width of the rear of the car. Top-spec models will boast an LED light signature to top things off.
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The new Megane is 25mm lower than the previous model, as well as being 47mm wider at the front and 39mm wider at the rear. It makes the car look much sportier and more purposeful than before, and should help it compete with design-focused competitors like the SEAT Leonand Audi A3. The wheelbase is 28mm longer, too, which will make the car more spacious for both front and rear passengers.
Lead designer Laurens Van Den Acker told Auto Express he wanted the new Megane to be “aspirational”, with the brand benchmarking its new family hatchback against high-quality rivals like the Volkswagen Golfand Peugeot 308.
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A variety of setups are expected to be offered inside, with the entry-level car making do with a conventional dot-matrix central display and higher spec cars getting a choice of seven or nine-inch portrait touchscreens – as well as a segment-first head-up display. Graphic-style digital dials are also expected to remain, along with polished aluminium steering wheel paddles for the optional automatic gearbox.
“This is a serious segment”, Van Den Acker told us. “The new Megane should be seen as a D-segment sibling rather than the Clio’s brother.”
Renault has openly acknowledged that quality was one of the main criticisms of the current car, and will hope to build on the success of its Clio and Captur with its all-new family hatch.
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Isabelle Marchand, director of perceived quality at Renault told us: “We wanted to place the new Megane at a very high level of quality. Quality starts at the beginning – it cannot be an afterthought.
“We started with the Clio and each model is a step-by-step progression. The Megane project has been on-going for more than three years.”
In addition to the expected Expression and Dynamique models, Renault has confirmed it will launch the new Megane with a sportier GT trim. The blue car in the pictures takes its inspiration from hot Renaultsport Meganes, with 18-inch alloy wheels, a honeycomb grille and body-hugging sports seats, but will be made available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines instead of the current RS’s 271bhp 2.0-litre turbo.
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Speaking engines, we expect the outgoing petrol and dCi diesel units to receive some major tweaks, although all-new units could also be on the cards. Later on, a hot Renaultsport version will arrive, with up to 300bhp from a turbocharged petrol engine. Three-door coupe and more practical Sport Tourer estate versions will join the range some time during 2016.
Get all the news from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.