Renault based an entire ad campaign on the previous Mégane's backside. Shaking that ass became a motoring anthem, based on the fact the quirky hatch had a large and sexy J-Lo rear end.

But like Jennifer Lopez's derriere, that's all so yesterday, as they say. J-Lo slimmed down and lost those womanly curves, and the New Mégane has followed suit.

In fact New Mégane couldn't be less like its old namesake if it tried. It has been transformed into a truly exotic, coupe-like hatchback that is svelte, elegant and highly desirable.

Seen at its best in gorgeous profile, New Mégane is a little stunner with a shapely bonnet, squinting, tapered headlamps,a sweeping front airdam and sweetly rounded rear window. Looked at from any angle, it's a piece of automotive art.

Renault is just as imaginative inside and Mégane buyers are treated to a cabin that feels as if it could have been crafted by the Germans – a huge improvement on the old model.

A low-lying, slabby dashboard is chunky on the passenger side, with a big swoosh of curve and stylised inset and there's a central hooded digital info panel. Main dials feature a futuristic speedo with constantly moving digital numbers on a white background – luckily this can be dimmed at night to avoid glare.

A card slot and start-stop button is equally adventurous, with keyless entry, and the main centre stack area is simple to understand and identify, with a use-friendly CD-tuner on board.

The only anomalies  appear to be the short, stubby handbrake and strarter button, both sited rather awkwardly on the passenger side of the console.

New Mégane isn't a particularly spectacular space-maker, with low headroom, a slightly cramped cockpit and only average rear legroom, although there's bags of width.

But Renault wins some points back by creating versatile and easily accessible rear luggage space. Back seats drop and tumble to create an almost perfectly flat rear load platform, with plenty of width and a generous cutaway area so that large items can be accommodated easily.

Passengers are also well served for oddments space with a low-level centre box, a cup-holder on centre console and slim doorbins with bottle space inserts.

On the move, the Mégane is everything you hope it might be - Renault's traditionally outstanding ride comfort, genuinely involving steering, tight control and sweet balance.

The 1.6-litre petrol model I tested was an excellent motorway cruiser, if a little boomy at top speeds, with impressive acceleration and   an enjoyably engaging, slick and easy six-speed manual gearbox featuring silent, well-damped changes.

It's the most efficient petrol engine in the range, delivering 42.2mpg and slipping to the VED Band D, thanks to its 159 g/km CO2 emissions.

Mégane lives up to expectations on seating and the test car boasted big, thick, well padded ones with supportive wings, long cushions and spot-on revolving wheel adjustment for precise rake angle.

Like all recent Renaults, the Mégane has been designed to be up there with the best in terms of safety, with an amazing eight airbags, plus two airbags fitted within the two front seats. Attention has also been paid to make the hatch and Coupe more aborbent in a pedestrian impact, with an energy-absorbing bonnet, bumpers and wings.

Now Renault has ditched the big-butt look, more motorists are likely to truly admire its shapely new form and Mégane is at last truly a beauty in its own right, rather than a fat-assed funster.

Fast facts:

• New Mégane Hatch and Mégane Coupé from £14,150-£19,150.


• Lower ride height and powerful lines, but without sacrificing interior roominess.


• Engineered for strong dynamic performance, ride comfort and driving pleasure with re-engineered MacPherson front suspension and rear torsion beam.


• High quality fit and finish inside and out.


• Three trim levels for both New Mégane Hatch and Mégane Coupé – Expression, Dynamique and Privilège.


• Air conditioning, keyless car with Renault card, new-generation variable power assisted steering and heated electrically adjustable door mirrors included as core features on all models.


• Premium equipment features include leather upholstery, automatic headlamps and wipers and dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and Arkamys 3D Sound audio system.


• Exceptional active and passive safety systems: all models equipped as standard with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with ASR (Anti-Skid Regulation) and CSV understeer control, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).


• Four petrol and three diesel engines available at launch, including new high-efficiency 2.0 TCe 180 turbocharged petrol unit and new 1.9 dCi 130.


• All dCi diesel engines meet Renault eco2 environmental standards for performance and manufacturing, with CO2 emissions from just 118g/km (dCi 86).