Renault Megane 2016 | new car sales price

Fourth-generation Renault Megane goes on sale with prices starting at $22,490.

We first laid eyes on the new Megane small hatch at the Frankfurt motor show last year, and have had two tastes of European-spec models since. Now Renault has finally announced price and spec for the Australian-spec version that hits showrooms next week.

From launch the Megane range will consist of four variants, the ‘Life', ‘Zen', ‘GT-Line', and ‘GT', while its powertrain offerings comprise of a 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.

While the 'Life', 'Zen', and 'GT-Line' variants comes powered by Renault's 1.2-litre Energy TCe130 engine, producing 97kW and 205Nm of torque, the range-topping ‘GT' is the sole variant with the 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre Energy TCe205 engine.

The 'Life' is the only variant in the Megane line-up that comes with a six-speed manual, whereas the seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic is a $2,500 extra for the ‘Life' and comes as standard across the rest of the range.

Interestingly, despite lacking an extra clutch and gear ratio Renault claims that the manual-equipped variant is the more efficient of the two ‘Life' variants, with a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.5L/100km, versus 5.6L/100km with the EDC transmission paired to the TCe130 engine.

As for the EDC-equipped TCe205 engine on the GT variant, Renault claims that it would be able to return an official fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km.

When it comes to equipment, the entry-level Life variants already come equipped with the fitment of six airbags, dual-zone climate control, LED daytime running lights, auto headlights and windscreen wipers, front and rear 12V power outlets, reverse camera, R-Link2 seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system, leather steering wheel, two USB ports with an auxiliary jack, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Moving up the range, the Zen variant brings R-Link2 with navigation, front parking sensors, 16-inch alloy rims, Edge LED daytime running lights, and an electric parking brake.

Furthermore the Zen can be specified with an Electric Sunroof Pack factory-fitted option, which adds an electric sunroof, sun visor with fitted lighting, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The GT-Line further expands the list of features with the addition of blind sport warning, easy park assist, side parking sensors, Alcantara leather upholstery, Nappa leather steering wheel, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, Multi-Sense system with five driving modes, 17-inch wheels, heated front seats, and rear privacy glass.

While the Electric Sunroof Pack is standard on the GT-Line, customers can also specify it with the optional Premium Pack that adds Pure Vision LED headlights and an 8.7-inch multimedia system with a Bose sound system, and optional 18-inch Grand Tour wheels.

Not just the most powerful in the range, the GT variant comes peppered with extras to sharpen up its handling. Key to that is the addition of a 4Control four-wheel steering system along with the standard fitment of a Renault Sport tuned suspension system and brakes. The GT also features launch control, which should help drivers hit the GT's claimed 0 to 100km/h time of 7.1 seconds.

Visually the GT variant stands out from the rest of the range with the fitment of a GT bodykit with a rear diffuser and 18-inch Magny Cours wheels. Meanwhile, on the inside the GT comes fitted with a RS Drive sport mode button, configurable sound engine synthesizer, and a Renault Sport style paddle shifters that allows multiple downshifts.

On top of that the GT can also be specified with the optional Premium Pack and Electric Sunroof Pack.