It seems Renault never tires of making sporty versions of their hatchbacks, and it seems we never tire of reporting on them. Mégane buyers looking for something a little spicy, but not quite as scorching as the Renaultsport versions, now have another choice: the Mégane GT.
Whereas the latest Renaultsport Mégane packs 230 chevaux, the GT offers either the turbo 2-liter with 165 hp or Renault-Nissan’s latest 2-liter dCi diesel with 150. Compared with its more plebian stablemates, the GT version gets a sporty body kit including revised front end, side skirts, more pronounced wheels arches and rear lip spoiler. Also part of the package are twin chrome-tipped exhausts exiting close to the center with a chrome plate, lowered ride height, chrome around the front grille, honeycomb filling the front airdam and 17″ rims.
The model applies the same sort of treatment from the Laguna GT to the sportier hatchback, available in three-door or five and priced to sell. The gas-powered version will hit sixty in 8.3 on the way to a top speed of 137 and returning 36.7 mpg, while the diesel takes 8.7 seconds, tops out at 130 and gives you an impressive 51.4 mpg.
All around the Mégane GT seems to present a well-rounded package with quirky French styling that almost makes us want to move across the pond. Almost, but not quite.
Having firmly established its Renaultsport models as some of the finest hot hatches around, Renault has now applied some of their unique performance and styling DNA to its Mégane hatchback models with the launch of a new GT range, to fit between the regular and Renaultsport versions.
Realising that some of its customers may not require the complete performance package of a Mégane Renaultsport yet still hanker after a more dynamic drive and sportier looks, Renault’s new three- and five-door GT range offers both without a hefty price tag. The new GT range sits between the Dynamique and Renaultsport models with prices starting at £16,170 for the Sport Hatch GT 2.0 Turbo 165.
The GT range was first introduced by Renault on the Laguna range last year and a similarly thorough make-over as applied then has now been given to Mégane. Befitting a model with the GT badge, this new sporty Mégane range has a distinctly sporting air, with full sport bodykit with front, side and rear spoilers, plus twin chrome sports exhaust and 10mm lower and stiffened suspension. Giving the car an even more menacing look, particularly at the front, as well as ensuring that the new range is easily distinguishable from other Méganes, the GT features a chrome effect front grille and prominent honeycomb-style air dam. At the rear, a GT badge appears on the chrome effect plate between the twin exhaust pipes, both of which confirm the car’s sporting credentials.
The sporting theme continues on the inside with front sport seats, leather sport steering wheel and silver/grey seat belts. The Mégane GT features an extensive equipment list including 17″ ‘Jarsalle’ alloys, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, electric heated door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, ESP with ASR traction and CSV understeer control.
Power for the new GT range comes via either the proven 2.0 Turbo 165 engine or the latest Renault-Nissan Alliance developed diesel engine – the 2.0 dCi 150, both of which are now reserved only for the GT range and the luxurious top-of-the-range Hatch Privilège. The two-litre turbo 165hp petrol dispatches 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds before going onto a top speed of 137mph, with impressive fuel economy of 36.7mpg on a combined cycle. Customers seeking similar power but fewer visits to the pumps can opt for the new flagship 2.0 dCi 150 6-speed which delivers maximum torque of 340Nm@2000rpm, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, top speed of 130mph and 51.4mpg.
