All-new Renault Megane exposed

This is the all-new Renault Megane, which is due to make its debut at October's Paris motor show.

These images were supposed to have been kept under wraps for now, but in what's becoming an increasingly common occurrence, they've been prematurely leaked onto the web.

Immediately obvious is that the current Megane's J.Lo-esque bubble-butt has been banished, but the new model still carries a few interesting design elements. Note the elaborately contoured bonnet and pronounced flare over the front wheelarch.

Also noteworthy is the heavily tapered roofline, which mightn't do wonders for rear visibility or luggage space, but it does endow the car with a pleasingly sporty profile. Meanwhile, the headlights and face bring the Megane in line with the latest-gen Laguna.

Only the five-door model pictured here is expected to grace Renault's Paris motor show stand, with the three-door variant likely to surface over the coming months.

Euro sources suggest only the bonnet, rear bumper and headlights are shared across the two variants, which indicates the three-door model will be a distinctly more radical affair.

No word as yet on technical details or mechanical spec, but Renault's boffins are believed to have focussed intensely on improving build quality and drivetrain efficiency.

These are important criteria as electronic gremlins and annoying little faults have hampered the sales prospects of the existing Megane.

Also expect the new Megane to take a step forward in comfort and refinement, as the likes of the current Ford Focus have set a high standard in these areas. What's more, the Megane will also have to fend off the challenge of the soon-to-be-launched VW Golf Mk VI.

Renault Australia was full of bold sales predictions when it re-entered the local market at the start of the new millennium, but it's yet to deliver on its promises.

The French brand found just 2909 buyers (1116 of these bought Meganes) here last year -- well short of the 8807 sales notched up by compatriot Peugeot. So there's clearly ample scope for improvement...

To comment on this article click here