RENAULT MÉGANE 97 kw TURBO GT-LINE

Ever an also-ran in the compact-hatch class, the new Mégane is ready to shoulder its way onto the podium

R339 900

T11,03 sec 97 kw/205 N.m 198 km/h HE previous-generation Mégane, launched in 2008, simply couldn’t cut it in the competitive C-segment. Its failings were too apparent for buyers to ignore – lacklustre drive, cramped cabin and subpar resale value chief among them – and the competition too accomplished.

The third generation in a series that was rst launched to critical acclaim back in 1995, Renault’s mid-size hatch quickly faded into the background … and that’s where it stayed for eight years until recently, when it was replaced with the new vehicle on these pages. And what an about-turn it is. Without wholly giving away the conclusion of 6,36 L/100 km 119 g/km this test, the fourth-generation Mégane is a world removed from its predecessor.

Let’s take a step back, though. On paper, Mégane 4.0 has it all to lose. Running on the Renault Nissan Alliance’s box-fresh Common Module Family platform that also underpins the Kadjar (and its twin, Nissan’s Qashqai), the compact hatch has a brandnew interior with a freshly developed R-link 2 infotainment system functioning through a rst-in-its-class tablet-like 8,7-inch touchscreen. It boasts Renault’s latest bold design language under the guidance of Laurens van den Acker that thrusts it rmly into the spotlight, and customisable dynamics via the new Multi-sense system.

And Renault South Africa has kept up its side of the bargain. Standard speci cation is as generous as it gets in this class – all models have satellite navigation, climate control and parking guidance, for example – and pricing starts at a reasonable R279 900 for the 85 kw/156 N.m 1,6-litre Dynamique model.

We’re testing the mid-spec 97 kw Gt-line tted with a six-