New Megane

	The Mégane will be based on the same flexible underpinnings that can already be found under the skin of the Qashqai and latest X-Trail

The Mégane is well known for shaking its round rear, but exclusive spy images in this week's mag reveal the most famous rump in motoring has undergone major surger! The mag's spies captured the first-ever shots of Renault’s next-generation compact family hatchback at a special unveiling – and the big news is that the tail-end styling has been dramatically altered.

In fact, the newcomer marks a truly radical evolution of the family hatchback, which was first launched back in 1995. Leaving almost all of the current Mégane design cues behind, the next-generation car is set to look to the smaller Clio for inspiration when it finally goes on sale in 2009.

And that’s because the firm’s stylists believe the current car’s once-bold appearance is showing its age. They reckon that the compact design of the Clio, matched by the adventurous detailing of the latest Laguna, represents the best way forward.

This comes as no great surprise, as the supermini has always enjoyed great sales success, while the Mégane has generally struggled to break the stronghold of Ford’s Focus in the family car market.

As a result, the new Mégane’s front end will become much more distinctive, with upswept headlamps and a unique grille. In profile, the Clio’s bulging wheelarches and sharp rising waistline have been adapted for the new model’s more detailed, and much fuller, bodywork.

Alloy wheels inspired by the firm’s latest concept cars add to the stylish appearance, but it’s at the rear the new design is most controversial. While the current trademark tail has been shunned in favour of a more angular shape, the results here are no less dramatic. The model snapped by our spies has Renaultsport style twin exhaust pipes and a deep rear bumper for a sporty look.

So far, we have only seen the five-door version – but in typical Renault fashion, company insiders are hinting that the three-door variant is likely to be even more impressive. It’s this version that will be reserved for hot hatch makeovers, and will be engineered specifically to take the performance title from Honda’s Civic Type R.

Estate and folding hard-top CC variants will also form part of the fresh-faced range – although replacements for the Scenic and Grand Scenic models will take longer.

Inside, the changes promise to be just as radical. When the latest Mégane debuted in 2002, all it took was an aircraft-style handbrake to get noticed, but today’s cabins need to be much more imaginative. So we are likely to see sweeping lines on the dashboard, making room for the latest hard-disc-based satellite navigation system and Ren-ault’s next-generation keyless start set-up.

Under the bonnet, the emphasis will be on maximum performance from minimum capacity. Using technology from the Twingo’s 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, the new Megane’s powerplants promise plenty of pace without big fuel and insurance bills.

Taking advantage of the Renault Nissan Alliance, which sees the two manufacturers share design and engineering expertise, the Mégane will be based on the same flexible underpinnings that can already be found under the skin of the Qashqai and latest X-Trail. Although a four-wheel-drive version of the French hatchback is still to be confirmed, Nissan’s versatile architecture is expected to help the new model to establish itself as a serious driver’s car.

This is aided by the fact that the chassis is not only very stiff, but allows engineers to place the wheels at the very edges of the platform. That will mean virtually all of the vehicle’s weight can be distributed within the wheelbase, helping to ensure the car is responsive and well balanced.

However, Renault insiders have suggested that we will have to wait before putting it to the test. Despite making a very early debut courtesy of Auto Express, it will be several months before the Mégane is officially revealed. The limelight at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show will be reserved for the new Laguna, so it won’t be until one of next year’s major expos that we get to see the fresh-faced hatchback in the metal.