Road Test: Renault Megane 1.2 TCE GT Line TomTom 3dr EDC

In the world of petrol power, small is big. Ford is making engines that could fit on a sheet of A4. Many Fiats have just two cylinders. Even the new Bentley V8 rests half its capacity while cruising. And things aren’t much different at Renault. This updated Megane has a 1.2-litre where a 1.6 once lived. If carmakers want to survive the environmental revolution, such downsizing is essential. But so what? As CO2 comes down, so do running costs. And if engineers have to work a bit harder, the petrol engine as we know it might last a while yet.

Take this Megane. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol is 400cc smaller than the motor it replaces, but a lot smarter. Renault’s engineers borrowed computers and measuring tools from their F1 cousins, who know a thing or two about squeezing lots of power from little engines. They discussed thermodynamics. And friction reduction. The upshot is a 10kg cut from the 1.6, with a 5bhp gain. Changes include the use of an aluminium cylinder block, direct injection, ultralight camshafts, a variable capacity oil pump and a low friction timing chain. So it’s not some gasping minnow. It pulls fairly hard from 2,000rpm, and, when the mini turbo’s done, those light mechanicals help it spin tenaciously to the top of each gear.

There’s a real sense of fun here. It might not have the half-a-911 sound of Ford’s new 999cc three-cylinder petrol, but there’s a faint mechanical buzz as it whips up to speed. And listen carefully as you ease off the throttle – you’ll swear someone’s hidden a tiny owl in there. That’ll be the turbo exhaling unused air. The official numbers go like this: 115bhp, 140lb ft, 0–62mph in 10.9secs, 119g/km and 53.3mpg. Nothing to melt the mind, but not far off the Ford, and enough to deserve a nod of appreciation.

Throw in some styling updates including new bumpers with LED running lights, new alloys and optional roof graphics for the coupe, à la Citroen DS3. Inside, add a jazzier infotainment system, chrome instrument surrounds plus re-fashioned upholstery… and the Megane refresh feels like a job well done.