Renault Australia has served up its Megane GT sporting entrée priced from $38,990 plus on-roads around a year before the fourth-generation max-sports main Megane RS is due.

Although technically a ‘warm’ hatchback, the Megane GT’s 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder still produces 151kW and 280Nm – only 4kW short of a pre-2013 Mk6 Golf GTI.

It shares the basics of its engine with its Clio RS sibling, and likewise singularly mates to an Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission but with an extra gear now tallying seven. A portly 1392kg kerb weight does, however, restrict its 0-100km/h to 7.1 seconds.

Renault megane GT rear side

Renault Sport has thankfully tuned the spring and damper rates, gearbox modes and electronic stability control (ESC) calibration for the five-door-only Megane GT, which in Australian specification also gets no shortage of kit.

Standard are 18-inch alloy wheels, twin sports exhaust, front and rear parking sensors with automatic park assist, rear camera, auto keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, 7.0-inch touchscreen with nav and digital radio and front sports seats with cloth/Alcantara trim.

Renault megane GT interior

At that price the Renault eclipses a certain other French model, the Peugeot 308 GT at $41,990 (plus orc), which matches the Megane GT in more than just the name.

Renault megane GT front

It may not make an RS of itself but the Megane GT looks to make sporting promise enough on paper – and a wagon joins this hatchback from early next year.