What is it?

This is Renault's sporting Mégane - based on the new coupé body. Compared to the old Mégane R26 there is more power - now 250bhp. Under the skin it is a case of fine tuning rather than radical change with the same suspension and steering layout as the old car. The biggest change is to the 'skin' itself, which is less controversial than the old car but much more muscular and assertive than the standard Mégane Coupé. The Mégane Renaultsport 250 will go on sale later this year.

Why is it here?

When Renault launched the Mégane Coupé in Paris last year it was inevitable that a sporting version would follow. The styling benefits from pumped-up wheelarches, flared sills and a new 'face' with a front splitter inspired by Renault's R28 Formula 1 car. At the rear there is a diffuser and central exhaust.

Motorsport apparently inspired the interior too, with more supportive seats, aluminium pedals and a Renaultsport steering wheel. The analogue rev counter provides both visual and audible indication of when to change gear.

However, with eighty percent of the 251lb.ft peak torque available at 1,500rpm, changing gear should be optional rather than necessary. The turbocharged engine seems relatively low-revving with maximum power at 5,500rpm. No performance figures have been released but given the engine's output it shouldn't be disappointing.

The electric power steering has been revised to give more feedback and there is an ESP system that can be switched off. As with the Renaultsport Clio and Twingo, a Cup version of the Mégane is offered and comes with a limited-slip differential.

Show stopper or floor filler?

Painted a particularly eye-catching shade of yellow, the Mégane Renaultsport is hard to miss and the cosmetic changes of the performance model make for a great-looking car. It carries a heavy responsibility in replacing the outgoing R26 models and we can't wait to find out how it measures up.