Renault South Africa is continuing the renewal of its flagship models with the launch of the comprehensively updated Mégane 2012 Collection.

Fresh styling is complemented by higher levels of technology, safety, quality and equipment. The model range has also been revised and expanded to offer greater value for money to make it even more appealing.

"The 2012 Mégane Collection leads Renault's philosophy of driving change through progress," says Fabien Payzan, marketing vice-president of Renault SA. "The range's modern styling, new technologies, efficient engines and advanced features give us an opportunity to gain a clear competitive edge in the compact vehicle market by exceeding the expectations of our customers.

"Renault is strategically positioning itself as a brand that drives progress, and the impressive new Mégane is a champion of this approach, appealing to those who crave progress, achievement and evolution."

The key styling changes to the front end include a new bumper with a revised air intake grille featuring a sleek new design to create an impression of greater substance. The colour palette has been enhanced for the 2012 Mégane range with the addition of the sophisticated Glazed Chestnut brown, majorelle blue and pearl white hues with malta blue exclusively on GT line.

The Mégane Hatch boasts a wider, more elegant lower grille that conveys an image of style and sophistication. Gloss black inserts and chrome fog lamp housings add a further touch of class.

The Coupé's front-end design is visually differentiated from the five-door variants with the adoption of a sportier, more dynamic bumper and grille, with bold integrated air intakes that are finished in either gloss black, or chromed on the range-topping model.

From the Dynamique level upwards, standard LED daytime running lights provide an eye-catching new lighting signature, while body-coloured side protective mouldings and door handles refine the car’s silhouette. The LED daytime running lights are also an option on the Coupé Expression.

The new bumpers have increased the front overhang and overall vehicle length by 8mm on the hatch and 17mm on the coupé versions respectively.

The GT Line is distinguished by extensive use of colour coding and contrasting dark grey accents, complemented by a uniquely sporty front bumper treatment that incorporates new, boomerang-shaped LED running lights in the fog light recesses. The GT Line models also get distinctive GT Line and unique Turbo badging.

As the performance flagship, the Mégane RenaultSport 265 receives a revised aerodynamic front skirt incorporating the new-look six-LED daytime running lights first seen on the new limited-edition Mégane RS Trophy. The Sport model also receives new Tibor 18-inch wheels, while the Cup and Trophy feature 19-inch Steev rims - the latter with red edging and high-performance Bridgestone RE050A tyres.

Several changes have been made to the interior of the Mégane model range in order to improve perceived quality at all levels of the line-up, including new trim for the Expression, Dynamique and GT Line models.

The Expression gains shiny chrome highlights on the door handles, gear lever and instrument dials, along with a dark carbon dashboard and trim panels. On the Dynamique, contrasting silver accents on the dashboard, vents and steering wheel enhance the upmarket look and feel.

The GT Line receives a sportier execution with carbon grey trim accents underlined in red, and shiny black finishes for the steering wheel, along with distinctive stitching on the steering wheel and gear lever gaiter. It also features a sporty new leather/fabric trim pack.

With its advanced range of engines, the 2012 Mégane offers a blend of environmental compatibility, efficiency and performance. New to the line-up is the high-tech 1.6-litre dCi 130 Energy turbodiesel engine first seen on the new Scénic, and now introduced on the new Mégane Hatch Dynamique.

As the headline act in Renault's new Energy engine range, the 1.6 dCi Energy features a particularly efficient design, based on a square architecture sourced from Renault's experience in Formula One. This powertrain is defined by its leading transfer and U-Flex technology, square architecture, and transversal coolant flow.

It combines driving enjoyment with superlative fuel efficiency, thanks to a raft of technologies, including cold-loop exhaust gas recirculation, thermal management technology, a variable displacement oil pump, variable swirl technology and a multi-injection system.

Delivering 96kW from a capacity of just 1598cc, this is the most powerful diesel engine for its size. With a generous 320Nm of torque - some 80 percent of which is available from 1500rpm - it provides crisp, responsive acceleration and genuine driving enjoyment.

Combined with the benefits of Renault's Stop & Start technology with braking/deceleration energy recovery, the 1.6 dCi Energy achieves a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption, compared to the previous 1.9 dCi, along with significantly lower emissions. It is credited with a combined cycle fuel consumption of 4 litres per 100km and a corresponding emissions rating of 104g of CO2/km. This derivative goes on sale in South Africa in September 2012.

Mégane Hatch and Coupé buyers also have the choice of the 1.4 Turbo Control Efficiency four-cylinder petrol engine, which is exclusive to the sophisticated GT Line variants. It produces 96kW at 5500rpm and a 190Nm from 2250rpm. Combined cycle consumption is rated at 6.3 litres per 100km.

The familiar 1598 cc 16-valve petrol engine is also on offer in conjunction with both the Expression and Dynamique specification levels. It develops 83kW at 6000rpm and 151Nm at 4250rpm, with a combined fuel consumption of 7.5 litres per 100km.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the revised Mégane RenaultSport range boasts the uprated 2.0-litre turbocharged engine introduced in May for the exclusive Mégane RS Trophy. All versions, including the Sport, Cup and Trophy now produce 195kW and 360Nm, adding to the pure exhilaration of this scintillating range.

A total of four hatchback, two coupé and three RenaultSport derivatives are on offer.

Pricing:

Mégane Hatch

1.6 Expression: R209 900
1.6 Dynamique: R219 900
1.6 dCi Dynamique: R269 900
1.4 Turbo GT Line: R249 900

Mégane Coupé

1.6 Expression: R209 900
1.4 Turbo GT Line: R249 900

Mégane RenaultSport

RS Sport 265: R359 900
RS Cup 265: R399 900
RS Trophy 265: R409 900

A five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan comes standard.