This is a review of the Renault Megane GT Line ,the latest entry in the C segment from the french manufacturer.

It comes equipped with a set of 17 inches grey rims and a set of 205/50 R17 tires that look quite good on this model. It is visually almost identical to the well-known Megane hatchback family model. The only differences are the grey mirrors and door handles, the grey plastic insertions on the front bumper along with the glossy black plastic that houses the “GT Line” badge. The headlights have also received a slight treatment in the form of a grayish tint. At the back of the car, Renault has placed a false grey plastic rear diffuser that serves no aerodynamic purpose but rather an aesthetic one. Overall the car has a fresh look to it without having any sport aspirations. It is a rather understated design that has become a little bit stale over the years but it is by no means an ugly looking car. The luggage compartment has a big opening and it is one of the more spacious ones in the compact class. Underneath the floor mat there is a full sized spare tire, a rare sight these days, especially in the compact class. The key is a typical Renault card-key. Because it is an intelligent key,it can be inserted in the specially designed slot on the dashboard or simply be kept in a pocket. All the driver has to do is press the clutch pedal and the Start button and the car will come to life. The interior of the car can be considered up to date but without excelling in any way. The steering wheel, gearshift knob and handbrake leaver are all covered in leather. The seats have a sports aspect and the headrests are inscribed with the “GT Line” logo. And those are about the only things that stand out compared to a regular Megane model. There is nothing out of the ordinary and nothing exceptional about the interior. Instead , all the little touches and inscriptions tend to give it a more sportier feel, without really offering any real sport features. It is not about the luxury but rather the good ergonomics and friendly atmosphere that this car has to offer. The seating position is good , all the buttons and controls are relatively easy to reach and the space is quite generous in the front seats. The back seats do not offer the most enjoyable of the rides but there is decent room for 2 persons. The 5th passenger however will suffer a bit on longer trips due to the modest space. It does not have a strong character but nonetheless it will appeal to younger drivers who have a tight budget but still apreciate such small details that make the interior stand out a little bit compared to the standard models.

As far as the engine goes, the car is set in motion by a 1.4 liter engine that runs on petrol. It is an engine that has some really strong points and some equally weak ones. It is a small engine that will bode well with taxes and insurances. According to Renault it is able to output 130 bhp but be mindful, that power does come at pretty high rpms. In traffic it has an interesting effect : it tempers any itching that the driver might have in his right foot. While certainly not lacking in power, it delivers it in slices. It is not a sensation like a rush of adrenaline but rather a progressive feel. The car will almost never loose traction unless you push the revs to about 5000 rpms which is not something that the Megane is built for in the first place, so the burnouts amateurs should take notice. The gearbox is a 6 speed model that manages smooth accelerations without loosing any grip, putting all the power where it is needed: to the wheels.

You might think that it was built with fuel economy in mind but this is not always the case. It manages some very quick shifts from the 1st all the way to the 4th gear. The 5th and 6th offer good gearshifts too but it nearly makes no difference as by the time you shift into the last gears, the car is already at cruise speed. Driving in the city the gearbox feels well balanced managing some good accelerations. The torque is a bit on the small side (150 foot pounds) and you do need to build the revs quite a bit in the 1st in order to manage a good launch from a standing position but by the time you hit the 2nd gear, the car settles down and runs smoothly into the 3rd and 4th. One of the downsides of the engine is the fuel economy. In urban conditions and a brisker style of driving the car barely manages 15mpg. This is usually the risk with a car like the Megane that is not the lightest in its class. At times it feels like it could have done better with a bigger engine.In order to reach all the 130bhp, the car revs quite alot and that is a bad thing for fuel economy. On an upside, it is a quiet and quite refined little engine and you will rarely hear it in everyday traffic conditions. As a matter of fact, the soundproofing of the car is above average and it gives a really nice sensation when driving. The suspensions are well adapted to the city traffic and the car goes over the potholes without the slightest discomfort or any squeakiness.

Overall it is a car that does not have a lot of features and it certainly does not have a wow factor. Even so, it will attract its share of customers, mainly young drivers that do not have a lot of money to spend but still want a bit of performance in traffic. Driven by a more settled down driver that has learned how the engine works, it might even be possible to increase to mileage to around 20. It is not a must buy car for everyone but for the Renault fans that want a different take on the Megane, it might be a tempting deal.