RENAULT’S Megane small-car has been given a mid-life makeover with powertrain upgrades, a fresh face and more model choice that includes, at the top of the five-door hatch and wagon tree, a sporty GT220 that becomes a permanent fixture in the range.

The Megane line-up grows from 14 to 19 variants, including the recently released RS265 Cup and Cup Premium three-door coupe flagships. It now has more powertrain choices across diesel and petrol engines, including a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that, in league with the new dual-clutch automatic transmission, is expected to become the top seller.

The diminutive petrol engine is said to use 28 per cent less fuel than the old 2.0-litre unit it replaces as the entry level powertrain, and can be hooked up to the new Getrag dual-clutch automatic transmission that is standard with the 2.0-litre diesel engine.

Styling changes include a new nose that gains Renault’s latest design with a prominent chrome Renault badge front and centre, in the same fashion as the latest Clio.

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