ONCE in a while a car maker achieves the ultimate Goldilocks effect.

Sporty, but not overly flashy, powerful, but not unmanageable, supremely practical and not too costly - the beautifully balanced Renault Mégane GT package is just right.

Renault has taken some of the performance and styling elements of the pure Renaultsport version and blended them seamlessly to create a supremely attractive five-seater unit.

The result is an upmarket, easy-to-drive hatchback, which delivers a more dynamic drive and sportier looks, without sacrificing any creature comforts.

The new three- and five-door GT range, which numbers the Golf GT and Peugeot 307 among its rivals, sits between the Dynamique and Renaultsport models, with prices starting at £16,170 for the Sport Hatch GT 2.0 Turbo 165.

The GT badge delivers, as you might expect, full sport body kit, with front, side and rear spoilers, twin chrome sports exhaust and sports suspension that has been lowered by a centimetre.

Giving the car an even sharper look, the GT has a chrome-effect front grille and prominent honeycomb-style air dam.

Technical tweaks, which give the car even greater driver involvement and handling, include specially-calibrated shock absorbers and for improved rear axle tracking, the substructure linkage also uses specially hardened parts.

The chassis has also been tweaked, with a lower body, and stiffer front and rear springs and dampers. Special settings have been dialled into the electric power steering system to improve front axle precision.

The sporting theme continues on the inside with front sport seats, leather sport steering wheel with GT badge, silver/grey seat belts and aluminium footrest and pedals.

A range of equipment includes chunky 17-inch alloy wheels and an electronic stability programme with anti-slip traction and understeer control.

Power for the new GT range comes via either the proven 2.0 Turbo 165 horsepower engine or the latest Renault-Nissan- developed diesel engine - the 2.0 dCi 150, both of which are reserved only for the GT range and the luxurious top-of-the-range Hatch Privilège.

Renault is confident the two new models will have no shortage of potential customers, as the market in Western European for compact cars offering between 140 horsepower and 160 horsepower has increased considerably in the last four years.

This combination of style, comfort and sporty performance should prove a real winner.

Auto facts Renault Mégane GT 2.0 Turbo 165 5dr

  • Price: £16,495
  • Ins group: 12
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 36.7mpg
  • Top speed: 137mph
  • Length: 420.9cm/165.7in
  • Width: 177.7cm/70in
  • Luggage capacity: 11.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 184g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles