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TO GT OR NOT TO GT?: Don’t let the GT billing fool you, this is nothing but a standard 1.4 TCe coupe with some fancy styling.
If you seek legendary Renault hot-hatch performance but don’t wish to go all-out for one of the Renaultsport cars, then the GT-line compromise has found its way back into the South African market.
Renowned for its fairly swift performance, courtesy of a detuned Renaultsport turbo engine, and characteristic Malta Blue hue, the GT-moniker became a popular alternative for buyers seeking to balance performance with practicality.
As very much a thinking petrolhead’s purchase, the GT helped to fill a gap between the radical R26 second-generation Megane hot hatches and their more sedate range siblings.
The new Megane GT is not quite the performance bargain its predecessor was; available in both three and five-door configuration, it’s more of a stylized Megane 1.4 TCe than anything else.
GT LOOK, WITHOUT THE GO
Powered by an unmodified version of the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Megane GT's 96kW and 190Nm are a substantial 24kW and 80Nm short of the second-generation GT.
Despite the regression in terms of performance, these new GT models do have some fancy styling add-ons. The bumper has been remoulded and underscores a redesigned grille that bears a pseudo RS-type black gloss centre insert.
Framing the restyled front are black headlight backgrounds, there are dark-metal recesses for the fog lights and anthracite-grey mirror housings to enhance the overall colour contrast. Around its rump the GT models gain a diffuser; allegedly to stabilise airflow but without additional performance over 1.4 TCe Megane siblings it’s rather hard to see the point...
Rolling in the wheel arches are 17" alloys shod with 205/50 rubber. The wheels feature an interesting design, with nine spokes of which four are split.
CALIBRATED UNDERSTEER
Although there is no extra straight-line performance to be had, the Megane GT does ride 12mm lower than its 1.4-litre Coupe siblings (thanks to new springs); therefore, in combination with the low-profile rubber, it should offer slightly higher levels of grip and better stability during high-speed changes of direction.
Bizarrely, a specially calibrated understeer control function is an optional upgrade from the standard electronic stability control for those potential GT customers who like to drive on the limit most of the time.
Inside, new Megane GT has Renault’s comprehensive Dynamique trim: Carminat TomTom integrated satnav, dual-zone climate control and cruise control are standard. Distinguishing the GT from lesser Megane Coupes are its shapelier front seats (lifted from the Megane RS), aluminium pedals, analogue speedometer and a scattering of GT badges around the cabin.
So, if you like the idea of hunkering down behind the wheel of a Megane coupe in semi-bucket seats, yet don’t really require the performance of those outrageous two-litre RS-specification engines, the GT will do quite nicely.
PRICES
Hatch - R249 900
Coupé - R259 900
Renowned for its fairly swift performance, courtesy of a detuned Renaultsport turbo engine, and characteristic Malta Blue hue, the GT-moniker became a popular alternative for buyers seeking to balance performance with practicality.
As very much a thinking petrolhead’s purchase, the GT helped to fill a gap between the radical R26 second-generation Megane hot hatches and their more sedate range siblings.
The new Megane GT is not quite the performance bargain its predecessor was; available in both three and five-door configuration, it’s more of a stylized Megane 1.4 TCe than anything else.
GT LOOK, WITHOUT THE GO
Powered by an unmodified version of the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Megane GT's 96kW and 190Nm are a substantial 24kW and 80Nm short of the second-generation GT.
Despite the regression in terms of performance, these new GT models do have some fancy styling add-ons. The bumper has been remoulded and underscores a redesigned grille that bears a pseudo RS-type black gloss centre insert.
Framing the restyled front are black headlight backgrounds, there are dark-metal recesses for the fog lights and anthracite-grey mirror housings to enhance the overall colour contrast. Around its rump the GT models gain a diffuser; allegedly to stabilise airflow but without additional performance over 1.4 TCe Megane siblings it’s rather hard to see the point...
Rolling in the wheel arches are 17" alloys shod with 205/50 rubber. The wheels feature an interesting design, with nine spokes of which four are split.
CALIBRATED UNDERSTEER
Although there is no extra straight-line performance to be had, the Megane GT does ride 12mm lower than its 1.4-litre Coupe siblings (thanks to new springs); therefore, in combination with the low-profile rubber, it should offer slightly higher levels of grip and better stability during high-speed changes of direction.
Bizarrely, a specially calibrated understeer control function is an optional upgrade from the standard electronic stability control for those potential GT customers who like to drive on the limit most of the time.
Inside, new Megane GT has Renault’s comprehensive Dynamique trim: Carminat TomTom integrated satnav, dual-zone climate control and cruise control are standard. Distinguishing the GT from lesser Megane Coupes are its shapelier front seats (lifted from the Megane RS), aluminium pedals, analogue speedometer and a scattering of GT badges around the cabin.
So, if you like the idea of hunkering down behind the wheel of a Megane coupe in semi-bucket seats, yet don’t really require the performance of those outrageous two-litre RS-specification engines, the GT will do quite nicely.
PRICES
Hatch - R249 900
Coupé - R259 900
