Renault Megane GT arrives to challenge the A-Class and V40

PETALING JAYA: The hot hatch segment has got a boost with this new entry.

Here comes a contender for the hot hatch crown now that the Mercedes A-Class is starting to lose its sales shine and the VW Golf GTI seems to be missing from the VW sales lienup.

This dynamic and striking new Renault Megane GT is currently on showcase at the Malaysia Autoshow 2017, which is taking place from 9-12 November.

Created in collaboration with Renault Sport Technologies, the new Renault Megane GT seeks to open up a whole new world of driving thrills and sportiness to as many motorists and car enthusiasts as possible.

It represents an intermediate performance road car offering to the all-out high performance credentials of the iconic Megane R.S..

The new Renault Megane GT’s distinctive appeal comes from a perfect blend of expertise and technologies from Renault Sport, combined with its striking looks and sporty interior including signature Renault Sport cues.

Equipped with 4CONTROL technology – a first in the C segment, combined with a finely-tuned suspension, the new Renault Megane GT delivers a genuinely spirited ride that is still comfortable and perfectly suited to everyday motoring.

Performance and superior handling, inspired by Megane R.S.

Under the bonnet of the new Megane GT is the Energy TCe 205 petrol engine, mated to a 7-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission to provide powerful driving performance while optimising efficiency and fuel consumption.

Delivering maximum power of up to 205 PS at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 280 Nm from as low as 2,400 rpm, the new Megane GT is capable of achieving a century sprint in 7.1 seconds while offering fuel efficiency of up to 6L/100km[1].

Developed with the special know-how that only Renault Sport Technologies can provide, the new Megane GT draws inspiration from Megane R.S. and incorporates technical solutions that have been adopted to ensure a perfect balance between driving enjoyment and comfort.

The new Megane GT features the bespoke chassis and is the first vehicle in its segment to employ the 4CONTROL system with four-wheel steering, specially calibrated by engineers from Renault Sport.

The 4CONTROL system is a Renault innovation that controls the alignment of the rear wheels, providing exceptional driving enjoyment and combining sporting responsiveness with safety.

At speeds of less than 80km/h in Sport mode and 60km/h in other modes, the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions, by up to 2.7 degrees at the back, giving the new Megane GT the manoeuvrability of a shorter-wheelbase vehicle.

At higher speeds, the front and rear wheels steer in the same direction, turning by up to one degree at the back, for greater stability.

4CONTROL calculates the angle of the rear wheels 100 times a second and adjusts them as necessary.

Rounding up the chassis package is a special set of calibrations (for dampers, springs, ESP, brakes, etc.) that maintains the same high levels of comfort and versatility.

The suspension of the new Renault Megane GT has also been fine-tuned by Renault Sport engineers.

The new Megane GT also incorporates new technologies specially developed by Renault Sport, namely Multi Change Down, which enables rapid downshifting, as well as Launch Control for a much more efficient getaway from a standing start.

Dynamic lines and exterior styling

The new Renault Megane GT’s assertive stance is founded on well-balanced proportions – 4356 mm long, 1814 mm wide, with wider tracks and a wheelbase of 2670 mm that is longer than rival models.

Thanks to its strongly sculpted shoulders, the new Megane GT radiates the sensuality embedded in the design genes of the Renault brand.

Taut and precisely defined lines along the lower part of the body and bonnet align towards the front to enhance the dynamic poise of the car.

It features Renault’s frontal identity, including a large, upright diamond logo and a broad grille, while quality chrome trim has been employed both at the front and along the sides (window surrounds, side badging and door handles).

Two chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes echo the style of the twin air scoops at the front to provide a sense of symmetry. These tailpipes flank a diffuser that takes its inspiration from the world of Formula 1.

To further reinforce the brand’s visual identity, the new Renault Megane GT features a distinctive lighting signature both at the front and rear, by day as well as by night.

At the front, Pure Vision full LED headlamps with daytime running lights provide a C-shaped signature that extends down to the bumper to assert the car’s frontal identity while delivering a significant improvement in night-time vision compared with halogen lighting systems.

The rear LED light unit feature tail lights that are permanently illuminated.

This novel horizontal signature helps accentuate the car’s width.

Thanks to new Edge Light technology, it provides a slender 3D brush stroke effect that emits a deep red light.

‘GT’ badging on the front grille, ‘GT’ and ‘Renault Sport’ badging on the tailgate as well as 17-inch alloy wheels complete the dynamic looks of this performance hatchback.

Driver-oriented and refined cockpit-style interior

Particular attention has been paid to the finishing and quality of materials in order to ensure enhanced travelling comfort aboard the new Renault Megane GT.

A suite of high-tech features clustered around the driver picks up on the idea of the L-shaped cockpit.

The dashboard features a seven-inch colour TFT instrument display, plus a portrait-format seven-inch R-LINK 2 touchscreen within easy reach on the centre console.

Special focus has been placed on the quality and harmony of the cabin environment.

The centre console is broad and tall and incorporates a fore/aft adjustable armrest.

The soft-touch high density foam selected for the dashboard extends in a continuous sweep to the door beams.

It also extends from the lower edge of the dashboard to the centre console.

Carefully sculpted genuine ‘haute couture’ seats – a segment best – envelope occupants, with optimum comfort and support ensured by the use of dual density foam.

The new Renault Megane GT also features MULTI-SENSE technology, which allows users to further personalise their driving experience.

It does this by modifying accelerator pedal and engine response, adjusting the speed of the gearshifts performed by the EDC automatic transmission and controlling the cabin lighting environment.

It is easily accessible via the R-LINK 2 interface, which provides instant access to four different driving modes – Sport, Neutral, Comfort, Perso, with customisable interior lighting of red, sepia, blue and purple.

There is also an R.S. Drive button, which activates the Sport Mode for even more spirited driving enjoyment.

Elegant real satin-finish chrome detailing throughout the interior, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifts, GT black and blue upholstery, ‘GT’ badging on the dashboard trim strip and front head rests as well as ‘Renault Sport’ branding on the door sills complete the carefully-appointed interior of the new Megane GT.

Packed with innovations and features for enhanced convenience and safety

The new Renault Megane GT is equipped with a standard kit of features and driving aid technologies including:

Renault R-LINK 2 multimedia system with USB connectivity and hands-free Bluetooth kit with music playback
3D sound by Arkamys with 8 speakers
Hands-free card that offers keyless entry with start, stop and walkaway lock functions
Automatic wipers and headlights
Follow-me-home lighting
Reverse camera
Automatic dual zone air conditioning
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with ASR (traction control)
Six airbags (driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger chest-level, front and rear head level curtain airbags)
Hill Start Assist
Cruise control & speed limiter
Paddle shift
Aluminium accelerator and brake pedals
7-inch TFT colour instrument display
Idle Start Stop