Lid is lifted on Mégane C-C

The new Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is set to raise the roof – and there’s going to be a hot GT version, too! Due for launch at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, the stylish drop-top has the Volkswagen Eos in its sights – and Auto Express can bring you the first official pictures.

Bosses want the latest version of the folding hard-top coupé to be a serious driver’s car, and have asked the Renaultsport division to come up with a performance flagship. This will wear the GT badge, and feature a 178bhp 2.0-litre engine – giving a 0-60mph time of under eight seconds.

The new C-C is smoother and more sophisticated than the outgoing model, with a stylish dark roof. To sharpen the handling, the body is 80 per cent stiffer than before. The lid, meanwhile, drops in 21 seconds, and the open-air experience is improved as the windscreen edge is 10cm further forward than on the original C-C.

A fixed glass wind deflector keeps four occupants free from buffeting at up to 56mph. There’s an additional mesh set-up for when only the front seats are occupied – this prevents draughts at any speed. Automatic pop-up rollover hoops ensure maximum safety.

Inside, the cabin boasts three trim choices ranging from dark charcoal and light beige to the charcoal and red two-tone finish shown here. The seats have more lateral support, too. On the outside, the nose is taken from the three and five-door, while dark LED lights wrap over the rear end to disguise the length of the tail.

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of 108bhp, 128bhp or 158bhp diesel units. These are joined by 128bhp 1.4 turbo and 138bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines. Renault’s six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) auto box will be available for the first time – initially on the 108bhp diesel only. All other variants get a six-speed manual, with a new CVT auto an option on the 2.0 petrol.

Prices have yet to be revealed, but when it hits showrooms in June, the Mégane C-C should rival the Peugeot 308 CC, with a starting figure of £20,000.