Hot Mégane's D-day

The all-new Renaultsport Mégane dCi 175 marks the company's entry into the popular hot hatch oil-burner market.

Under the bonnet, the car has a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 173bhp. This drives the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and can take the Mégane from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds and on to 137mph - yet returns an average 43.5mpg.

The model has 17-inch alloys, a beefy bodykit and sports seats, plus uprated suspension and Brembo brakes. It will be offered as both a three and five-door with prices from £18,950 - that's £490 more than the recently revised petrol Renaultsport Mégane 225. A more extreme Cup version will be available with even stiffer dampers and an ESP stability system that can be switched off.

Meanwhile, Mégane buyers who want hot hatch looks without the performance can purchase a new range of accessories, including sports seats and aluminium pedals and gearlevers. The kit is also available for the Clio, but no prices have been confirmed.