2017 Renault Megane pricing and specs: All-new hatch hits Australia

Revealed to the world almost exactly one year ago, the new Megane builds on the now familiar styling themes set out by head designer Laurens van den Acker, poached from Mazda way back in 2009.

The new Megane MkIV will replace the third-generation model that debuted in 2008 and gained a major facelift in 2014.

In Australia, the new model will be offered with two turbocharged petrol engines: a 97kW/205Nm 'TCe130' 1.2-litre unit in the Life, Zen and GT-Line models, while the sports-focused Megane GT will get a more powerful 151kW/280Nm 'TCe205' 1.6-litre mill. (See our review here.)

The smaller engine will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed 'Efficient Dual Clutch' (EDC) automatic transmissions, while the GT will dance with the seven-speed unit exclusively.

Fuel consumption for the 1.2 engine is listed and 5.5 and 5.6L/100km for the manual and EDC shifters respectively, stepping up to 6.0L/100km for the 1.6 unit in the GT.

The GT claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds, while the 1.2-litre models claim a 10.6-second run.

Although the GT is less powerful than the 162kW/340Nm GT220 it replaces, buyers deterred by the previous model's manual-only configuration should be interested in this new model. Those with a preference for manuals, however, will have to wait for the more expensive but far more powerful Megane RS expected to be revealed in the months ahead.

An 81kW/250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine has also been confirmed for Australia, although launch timing for that option is still to be revealed. Likewise, the five-door Megane hatch's wagon sibling will also come to Australia, but timing is again unclear.

The new range will kick off in Australia from $22,490 plus on-road costs, marking a small increase on the $22,000 price of the entry-level point in the outgoing range.

That opening price means the Megane remains a pricier proposition than key rivals like the $20,490 Mazda 3 Neo, while matching the $22,490 starting point of the Volkswagen Golf range.

The new Megane is 64mm longer (4359mm) and 25mm lower (1447mm) than the outgoing model. It has wider tracks and its wheelbase (+28mm) is longer than that of rival models. The rear overhang has been shortened, however, keeping the design sharp.

Rear storage is listed at 434 litres with the back seats out, outdoing the Golf's 380 litres and the Mazda 3's 308 litres.

Standard features in the new Megane range are listed below.

Megane Life:

ENERGY TCe130 turbo charged engine delivering 97 kilowatts of power and 205 Newton metres of torque
Choice of a manual or seven-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission
Fuel economy of 5.5 litres per 100km and 124 g/km CO2 for the manual transmission (combined cycle)
Fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km and 125 g/km CO2 for the EDC transmission (combined cycle)
Renault smart keycard
Rear camera and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring system
R-LINK2 multimedia system with 7.0-inch touch screen (landscape orientation) and digital radio
Two USB ports and auxiliary jack
12V power outlets in the front and rear (two in total)
Cloth trimmed upholstery
Leather steering wheel
Dual-zone climate control
Auto headlights and windscreen wipers
Front LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
16 inch steel wheels
Full size temporary spare wheel

Megane Zen adds:

Edge LED Daytime Running Lights
16 inch alloy wheels
R-LINK2 with navigation
Front parking sensors
Electric parking brake
Electric Sunroof Pack (factory fitted option): electric sunroof, sun visor with light and auto-dimming rearview mirror

Megane GT-Line adds:

Blind Sport Warning
Easy Park Assist
Electric sunroof
Side parking sensors
Seven inch colour TFT instrument panel with personalised settings
MULTI-SENSE system with five driving modes and customisable ambient lighting
Power heated mirrors
Alcantara leather trimmed upholstery
Nappa leather steering wheel and gear shift
Heated front seats
Integrated headrests
Rear privacy glass
17 inch alloy wheels
GT-Line badge
Premium Pack (factory fitted option): Pure Vision LED headlights, 8.7 inch portrait orientation multimedia system with Bose audio
Optional (factory fitted): 18 inch Grand Tour alloy wheels

Megane GT features:

ENERGY TCe205 turbo charged engine delivering 151 kilowatts and 280 Newton metres of torque
Seven-speed EDC transmission
Fuel economy of 6 litres/100km and 134g/km CO2 (combined cycle)
4CONTROL four-wheel steering
Launch Control
Renault Sport-tuned suspension and brakes
Dual chrome exhaust pipe
Renault Sport badging
GT bumper and rear diffuser
Sport mode button (R.S. Drive)
Configurable sound engine
Renault Sport-style paddle shifters with multi-downshift
Alloy pedals
Kick plate on driver door
Alcantara leather trimmed upholstery with blue highlights
Magny Cours 18 inch alloy wheels
Temporary spare wheel
Premium Pack (factory fitted option): Pure Vision LED headlights, 8.7 inch portrait orientation multimedia system with Bose audio
Optional (factory fitted): electric sunroof

NOTE: pricing for the factory-fitted options, including sunroof, wheels and larger infotainment display. CarAdvice has contacted Renault Australia and will update this article as details come through.

NOTE: Left-hand-drive GT preview model pictured. Australian-market right-hand-drive photos still to come.

2017 Renault Megane pricing (before on-road costs)

Life - Manual - $22,490
Life - EDC - $24,990

Zen - EDC - $27,490

GT-Line - EDC - $32,490

GT - EDC - $38,490

DRIVEN: 2017 Renault Megane Review - Australia
DRIVEN: 2017 Renault Megane Review - Portugal
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