Distinctive styling cues ensure the Mégane Sport stands out from the crowd. From the front, the lines of the Mégane II have been enhanced by a wide air intake grille and integrated front foglamps.

The rear bumper is cut away around the central twin-pipe exhaust outlet. A spoiler integrated with the upper part of the rear hatch improves aerodynamic characteristics and increases stability at high speed.

Huge 17-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches at each corner of the car, further strengthening the robust character suggested by the Mégane II.

Inside, the interior styling reflects the exterior design. The idea of “sporty driving” is expressed through the leather steering wheel, the aluminium pedal pads and footrest and the graphic treatment of the instrument dials.

The Mégane Sport is available in one configuration, the five-door hatch, and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed manual gearbox.

With 165 kilowatts and 300Nm of torque on tap, the Mégane Sport offers impressive performance and excellent flexibility across the rev-range.

The 2.0-litre turbo engine was jointly developed by Renault Sport Technologies and Renault’s Powertrain Engineering Department to create a high-performance unit which is also suitable for daily use.

An innovative front suspension, double axis strut system featuring an independent steering axis ensures precision of steering and handling.

Large diameter disc brakes utilise 4-pot calipers on the front for maximum performance and fade resistance. For additional assurance, particularly in the wet, the Mégane Sport is fitted with the latest-generation Bosch 8.0 ABS with EBD and brake assist.

Like the entire Mégane II range, the Mégane Sport benefits from innovative and superior equipment levels. The cruise control/speed limiter, 6-speaker CD audio system with handy satellite radio controls, climate control airconditioning, electrochromic interior mirror, automatic operation of the headlamps as well as the automatic variation of wiper speed form part of the standard kit.

An optional LX pack is available, adding a sunroof, six CD stacker and full leather trim.

The Renault Sport Mégane 225 is priced at $42,990* while the LX pack is available for an additional $4000.

The Mégane Sport offers the same safety features found in the Mégane II range which includes the first compact hatchback to achieve a maximum 5-star rating in the crash tests conducted by Euro-NCAP organisation.

Occupant protection has been optimised using the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection which has been fitted to all the group’s new models since 2001. For front seat occupants, the Mégane Sport has double volume dual front SRS airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags for protection and both front seatbelts are fitted with pretensioners and load limiters.

Rear seat passengers are also protected by the curtain airbags and both outboard passengers have 3-point inertia-reel safety belts with load limiters and pretensioners.

The Dieppe factory is responsible for the assembly of the Renault Sport Mégane 225, taking body shells from Renault’s production facility at Palencia in Spain. As with the Clio 2.0 16V and V6, the Mégane Sport benefits from the experience and know-how of a site dedicated to the manufacture of the group’s sporting cars.

According to Renault Australia’s director of operations, Rudi Koenig, the Renault Sport Mégane 225 offers buyers a stylish and practical performance vehicle.

“The Mégane Sport is a welcome addition to the Renault Sport range we are creating here in Australia. Our aim is to develop the Renault Sport name and to show buyers a more passionate side of the brand,” Mr Koenig said.

“The arrival of the new Mégane Renault Sport, together with the new Clio Renault Sport gives buyers two first class vehicles to choose from.”

*All prices quoted are recommend retail pricing and do not include dealer delivery and on-road costs.