Renault Megane 2013 @ led strip light

In between, three variants of the new Megane Wagon are now available, opening with the Dynamique at $26,490, which Renault says offers better value than direct rivals in the Holden Cruze Sportwagon, Opel Astra Sports Tourer, Hyundai i30 Tourer, Peugeot 308 Wagon and Volkswagen Golf Wagon.

Also fitted with a 2.0-litre petrol/CVT combination is the Megane Wagon GT-Line ($27,990), while the DCT-equipped 1.5-litre diesel Sportwagon GT-Line costs $30,490.

Topping Australia’s inaugural Megane wagon range at $36,990 is the new GT 220 Sport Wagon limited-edition, powered by a detuned 162kW/340Nm version of the three-door Megane RS 265 coupe’s F4R 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, matched with a six-speed manual. Just 220 examples will be available here from a global run of around 1000.

Cosmetic upgrades across the 2013 Megane hatch and wagon range include new-look front bumpers, revised headlights incorporating daytime running lights, new wheel designs ranging from 16- to 18-inch, chromed interior door-pulls and instrument bezels, new seat trims and new exterior paint colours including Capsicum Red and, for GT-Line models, Malta Blue.

All Meganes now also offer a new AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio interface with Bluetooth audio/phone streaming and USB/AUX sockets, plus one-touch lane-change indicators.

Expression models come standard with manual air-conditioning, cloth seat trim, power/folding body-coloured door mirrors, 16-inch Flex wheels, cruise control, speed-limiter, manual key card, height/lumbar-adjustable driver’s seat and a full-size spare wheel.

The same equipment is found in the entry-level Dynamique wagon, as well as dual-zone automatic climate-control with an air-quality sensor, an electric parking brake, hill-start assist, LED daytime running lights, front foglights, rear parking sensors, leather-trimmed gearshifter and steering wheel, 16-inch Kaleido alloy wheels and a luggage cover and net.

To this, mid-range GT-Line models add dual-zone climate-control, GT-Line chassis, GT-Line cloth seats, GT-Line badging, GT-Line bumpers, GT-Line dashboard design, grey door mirrors, RenaultSport speedo, auto headlights and wipers, boomerang-style LED DRLs, an electronic parking brake, rear parking sensors, leather-clad gearshifter and RenaultSport steering wheel, tinted rear/side glass, 17-inch Celsium alloy wheels, foglights, integrated satellite-navigation with new joystick control, keyless entry and starting and hill-start assist.

An optional Premium Pack adds $2500 to GT-Line petrol/diesel hatch and wagon model. It adds Cool Grey leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear armrest with cup-holders, a reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors and Renault’s Visio System.

Completing the Megane hatch range are top-shelf Privilege variants, which add 17-inch Sari alloy wheels, rear climate control air-vents, Charcoal leather seat trim with white piping and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The MY13 Megane Coupe-Convertible’s standard specifications line up with hatch at base level but add 17-inch Plenum alloys, auto headlights/wipers, dual-zone climate-control, foglights and a full folding glass roof, while GT-Line models add black leather trim and heated front seats and Privilege versions come with 18-inch Kanjara alloys, bi-xenon headlights and a wind deflector.

Apart from its upgraded engine and chassis, the GT 220 Sport Wagon comes standard with all of the GT-Line Wagon’s equipment, plus 18-inch Serdard gloss black alloy wheels with 245/40 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres, a gloss-black rear diffuser, red-themed RenaultSport interior, GT 220 badging and numbered plaque and an RS monitor -- in place of sat-nav.