Ahead of the imminent Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault has given us a first peek at its striking new, fourth-generation Mégane C-segment hatchback.
On sale for more than 20 years, during which time more than 6.5 million Méganes have found homes, this is a vitally important car for Renault and it features the company's new styling language - most clearly in the front end, which has the same sort of grille and large vertical 'Diamond' badge arrangement as the Clio.
What really marks the new Mégane out are the lights, with C-shaped signatures at the front and great, wide lamp clusters at the rear - the latter designed to accentuate the car's width. The MkIV Mégane sits 25mm lower than the old model, with front and rear track widths up by 47- and 39mm respectively. The wheelbase has grown by 28mm, while the overhangs are now shorter than on the outgoing Mégane.
Chrome is used to pick out the belt line, grille, side badges and door handles, presumably to add a premium air to proceedings, and the car's exterior designer, Franck Le Gall, said: "On the highly competitive market of compact saloons, it was vital that the new Mégane should stand out right from the first glance. The precise, taut lines, which draw the whole design towards the front, are part of the side surfaces. In combination with the sculpted shoulders, these lines give Mégane dynamism and character."
Anything else?
We won't have to wait for a hot - well, warm - Mégane, as from launch there will be a GT version. It has a sportier front bumper, wider air intake and honeycomb grille, it sits on 18-inch aluminium alloys, while at the back are twin chromed tailpipes and a spoiler. It also proudly wears Renaultsport badging, although a full-blown RS model should be coming soon after the car hits the market. The GT can be specified in Iron Blue paint with Dark Metal highlights.
Frankfurt IAA runs from September 15-27 this year and at the show, the car will be fully revealed, interior and mechanical details too.