Overall rating:

Revised for 2012 the Renault Mégane range not only benefits from improved styling, more standard equipment and upgraded cabin quality, but new engines as well. Star of the show is this down-sized 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that promises diesel-like economy and efficiency while retaining the former's driveability and refinement.

Key Facts

Model tested: Renault Mégane 1.2 TCE GT Line
Pricing: Ł19,825
Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Focus EcoBoost, Skoda Octavia TSI, Volkswagen Golf TSI
CO₂ emissions: 119g/km
Combined economy: 53.3mpg
Top speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 10.9 seconds
Power: 115hp at 4,500rpm
Torque: 190Nm at 2,000rpm

In the Metal:

The five-door hatchback is probably the least aesthetically pleasing of the Renault Mégane range, the Coupé looking much more lithe and the Sport Tourer more balanced. Still, the latest revisions to the line-up have improved the look with LED running lights, gloss black and chrome trim as well as new alloy wheel designs.

The cabin has always been a visual highlight though, with neat design (save for the infuriating digital speedometer on some models) and decent if not class-leading plastics. There's now a range of new interior trims, and the GT Line models benefit from red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel - as well as an analogue speedometer from the Renaultsport versions.

Driving it:

The trend for downsizing is rife in the industry right now, and this 1.2-litre TCE four-cylinder turbo is Renault's attempt at making its Mégane more efficient than ever. It's a relation of the unit seen in the Clio, but despite its rather lowly origins it manages to shift the Mégane's bulk with considerable ease - though like all small capacity units that may not ring true with a fully-loaded car.

Still, it's remarkably smooth and refined, all the way to the redline, though extending the revs that far does little but increase the noise of the tiny unit. Much better is to make use of the decent mid-range punch and the well-spaced gears to make progress. If only the gearshift wasn't quite as notch-like.

It's not all rosy with the steering either, which remains too light and lacking in feedback - especially frustrating since the lightweight engine makes the TCE more nimble than the nose-heavy diesel powered models. And fundamentally it's obvious the Mégane still has a decent chassis, always feeling light on its feet.

What you get for your Money:

At nearly Ł20,000 the Renault Mégane 1.2 TCE GT Line hatchback isn't especially cheap, but it does come well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, sports chassis and TomTom satnav all fitted as standard. Combined economy of over 50mpg and sub-120g/km CO₂ emissions mean running costs should be low too. And with the firm's Four+ package taking care of servicing, roadside recovery and warranty it promises to be trouble and hassle free as well.

Worth Noting

The 1.2-litre TCE engine is the first petrol unit from the firm to feature direct injection and turbocharging, and the results are power and torque figures comparable to the 1.6-litre that it is set to replace. Said to offer the flexibility (and economy) of a diesel the unit also makes use of variable valve timing, an integrated turbo manifold and an efficient stop-start system that carefully injects fuel into the most favourably placed cylinder for quick starting.

Summary

With four cylinders this new engine isn't the game-changer Ford's three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is, but that doesn't make it any less impressive or relevant. Smooth, refined and impressively economical, it proves a package to be reckoned with. Fitted to the revised Renault Mégane it makes for a car that is not without considerable appeal in the family car segment.