Review of the new Renault Megane GT

You can almost see the waves of self-satisfaction emanating from Renault at the moment and the source of this smugness surplus is the French manufacturer's Renaultsport performance brand. Fast Renault hatchbacks are nothing new but they've never enjoyed quite the level of critical acclaim that today's Renaultsport range is basking in and gleefully rubbing in the faces its rivals. The only downside is that cars as specialised as the Megane Renaultsport 250 are never going to sell in really big numbers. To get around this, Renault fashioned the GT range to offer customers some of the acclaimed Renaultsport flavour at a more realistic price.

Consensus is a rare thing in the debate over which is the best hot hatchback. The leading contenders go about the task of going fast in subtly different ways and inevitably, different judges are going to favour different approaches. Despite this, the Renaultsport Megane 250 is almost universally accepted as one of the very finest exponents of the art, its coupe-like looks and beautifully supple suspension figuring amongst the highlights of the package.

Like the other leading performance hatchbacks however, a Renaultsport Megane isn't cheap. Buying and running one of these extreme machines will be beyond the means of many who would dearly love to own one. The Megane GT range is Renault's solution, combining the looks and sporty feel of a Renaultsport Megane with more affordable purchase and running costs. Better still, it's available in all of the Megane bodystyles for a wider range of choice.

A couple of engine options are made available to Megane GT buyers, though neither can quite match the drama of the 250bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine in the Renaultsport model. The petrol option is a 180bhp version of the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine badged TCe and the diesel is a 2.0-litre dCi unit with 160bhp at its disposal. Both have a lively turn of speed. The petrol can cover the 0-60mph sprint in 7.8s, a time that would have put this car at the head of the hot hatch class just a few years ago, and reach a 142mph top speed. The diesel is slower with an 8.5s 0-60mph time but has 380Nm or torque at 2,000rpm (80Nm more than the petrol) and will feel very strong through the middle of the rev-range as a result.

"The GT trim level is Renault's attempt to capitalise on the runaway success of its Renaultsport Megane flagship"

The genius of the Megane Renaultsport is primarily in its chassis and the GT models aim to replicate some of the agility and grip with a sports suspension package of their own. It's a less focused set-up and many of the advanced components that give the Renaultsport model its edge are missing but fun should definitely be on the cards in the GT.

Looking the part is half the battle in the hot hatchback class and to the untrained eye, a Megane GT Coupe will be hard to differentiate from a full-blown Renaultsport 250 model. As well as the 3-door Coupe bodystyle, the five-door hatch, Sport Tourer estate and Coupe-Cabriolet convertible models can also be specified in GT trim but these will look less like the genuine article. As well as the lowered sports suspension, all models get special GT front and rear bumpers along with 18" alloy wheels that do a fine job of packing out the wheelarches.

Inside, the sports seats are very similar to those in the Renaultsport 250 with plenty of side support for those brisk cornering manoeuvres. There's also a sports steering wheel, an aluminium pedal set and special polished carbon trim inserts to give the Megane cabin a racier feel. General build quality inside the Megane is impressive with the extensive use of soft-touch plastics and rubberised switchgear. Space in the back of the Coupe isn't particularly generous but there's a 372-litre boot which is competitive for the class. Both the Hatch and the Sport Tourer offer better rear-seat accommodation.

The plan is for these GT models to translate the plaudits being sent the way of the Megane Renaultsport into higher sales but the engines being offered mean they easily qualify as fast hatchbacks in their own right. The prices reflect this and the saving over a proper Renaultsport Megane isn't as large as some buyers may have been hoping. The alternative is the GT Line package which can be added to the Megane's Dynamique trim level where there's a choice of less powerful engines. The GT Line pack includes the GT bumpers, sports seats and 17" wheels and is available for a premium of around £1,300.

The running costs of a Megane GT don't differ according bodystyle you choose and most buyers will be pleasantly surprised by the fuel economy returns of the two engines. The 180bhp TCe petrol unit offers 37mpg combined cycle fuel consumption and 178g/km emissions. Go for the diesel option and there's an extremely creditable 48mpg and emissions of 155g/km. Insurance costs will also be more manageable than they would if you upgraded to a Renaultsport model.

Just a few short years ago, the Renault Megane GT models would have been right up amongst the fastest hot hatchbacks on the market. Today, the pace of change in the automotive industry is such that they aren't even the top dogs in the Renault Megane range. The GT trim level is Renault's attempt to capitalise on the runaway success of its Renaultsport Megane flagship. It represents a more affordable way to get the look and feel of the top gun model and although prices aren't dramatically lower, it's likely to prove popular with buyers.