A new cooking C-segment hatch from a French manufacturer with no hot hatch version yet confirmed? You might not think this merits a stop-off on the tour of Frankfurt's huge halls but further investigation - prompted by sight of a Renaultsport badge on the back - reveals a potentially interesting 'normal' car.
We'll skip the rest of the range and go straight to the GT model, which ships with a 205hp petrol engine and seven-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox we'll assume (unless corrected) is the same 1.6 turbo as used by the Clio Renaultsport. Interestingly it also gets 4Control four-wheel steering, previously seen on the Laguna Coupe and Laguna GT but entirely re-engineered for the new Megane plus bespoke Renaultsport chassis settings.
"At Renaultsport we poured all our know-how into ensuring the new Megane GT would be both comfortable and a joy to drive," says Renaultsport boss Patrice Ratti in the launch press release. "
The 4Control four-wheel steering system combines with a suspension specially tuned by Renaultsport engineers to deliver a unique experience on all types of road. With its 205hp engine, seven-speed EDC gearbox operated via steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, unique exterior styling and its sports-focused interior, the new Megane GT is the perfect solution for buyers looking for performance, excitement and enjoyment at the wheel!"
There's also an upgraded interior featuring an optional portrait format touchscreen over and above the standard seven-inch TFT display, seats with integrated headrests and various GT badging and detailing inside and out. Not a proper hot hatch then but an interesting and discreet alternative with enough power to quietly make progress and - hopefully - enough Renaultsport inspired agility to be an interesting steer. It looks good too, certainly fresh, clean and modern and distinctively different from the MQB-derived conservatism of the Golf-derived rivals.
And what of the Renaultsport version? Don't hold your breath, debate internally apparently focusing on whether it'll be EDC only like the Clio or have a manual option too. Confirmation of this GT does at least offer an idea of a baseline from which the hot version will be developed. In lieu of the new shape car the existing Megane Renaultsport, recently updated with new 275 Cup-S and Nav derivatives, will live on in parallel with the new car for at least a year.
