LARA DE MATOS

Y FIRST trip to the City of Lights in 2003 (there have been many more croissantand-beret adventures since), I found myself mesmerised – not by Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower or any other of the typical Parisian landmarks, but by the sight of an odd little vehicle that looked as though a lumberjack had hacked into its rear. Judging by the sheer number on the streets, however, the said peculiar car proved to be quite popular with French folk.

I am, of course, referring to the Renault Megane II, which became an icon in car design circles and even won European Car of the Year during that period. That said, personally, I remained unconvinced by that “bum”.

Flash-forward 10-plus years and you’ll now find me sitting squarely in the Megane’s corner. Who wouldn’t, after getting up-close and personal with the sheer automobile artistry that is the fourth-generation Renault Megane GT line?

From the sleek metallic exterior and striking interior styling that includes sporty bucket seats, an overall well-laidout cabin (though the ergonomics of the arm-rest-to-gear-control ratio felt somewhat awkward) and a multimedia Info-tainment system with smartphonelike “pinch-and-zoom” capabilities that make it simple to master, the Megan’s GT screams “sexy – but fierce!”

And that’s not even to speak of its performance! That it boasts a 1.6-litre turbo engine should, in and of itself,

Moffer some indication of the power it elicits when you put the proverbial pedal to the medal. Throw in 17-inch alloy wheels, Renault Sport-tuned suspension and the brand’s newfangled “4Control” 4-wheel steering (same as the system in the Porsche 911 GT3) allows for fast-paced, but nimble manoeuvring, and a turn in this beauty will leave the Stig looking like