New Renault Mégane debuts in Paris

Renault chose its home show to reveal the new Mégane hatchback. The French firm promises improved reliability and better build quality, but there's no denying the new car lacks the character of its predecessor.

What's all the fuss about?

That's a good question, as Renault has gone a bit quiet on the styling front. All the talk of improved quality and reliability is all well and good, but the Mégane isn't quite the looker its predecessor was. As with its Laguna relative, Renault has played it safe with the Mégane's new style, and although it unquestionably looks better in the metal than in pictures, when it's at a show dripping in hot new production models and concepts it all looks a bit unexciting.

Anything that stands out?

Renault has managed to squeeze more space inside, making it a more practical contender in the class. Despite being bigger it is on average 8kg lighter like-for-like over the model it replaces. A broad range of engines gives it excellent economy and emissions too: four of the diesel powerplants return CO₂ emissions lower than or equal to 120g/km. Safety has long been a Renault mission statement and the Mégane promises to be among the very best in terms of crash protection for passengers.

When can I buy one?

The Mégane is on sale very soon, the five-door model that's on show in Paris due in showrooms before the end of the year. It's just a starter too, as Renault is set to expand the Mégane range with its new three-door 'coupé' model that's also shown for the first time in Paris.

Kyle Fortune