LATE April saw Renault's facelifted Megane Coupe arrive on the UK scene, no doubt intent on disturbing the relative calm enjoyed by the likes of the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Kia C'eed, et al.

The French car maker has put this latest Megane Coupe line up together intent on ensuring that there is a decent variety of choice in the three-model range.

Core features are pretty generous with the likes of six airbags, ABS with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, ASR traction control, cruise control, dead locking and immobiliser, LED daytime running lights, electronic stability control), while R.A.I.D. (Renault Anti Intruder Device) and automatic door locking is also a fine piece of safety kit.

Also on board are heated door mirrors with electric adjustment, double optic headlights with "see me home" function, height adjustable driver's seat, trip computer, height and reach adjust steering wheel plus electric windows all round.

Driven here is the range topping GT Line Tom Tom Megane Coupe which adds oceans of extra standard kit to the manifest, including the likes of 17-inch alloys, Arkamys 4 x 35W radio CD with fingertip remote control and AUX input, USB connection, automatic dual zone climate control, automatic headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, Carminat sat nav, electric door mirrors, front fogs, sport chassis with lowered suspension and two-tone seating upholstered in charcoal grey.

In a high quality interior the seating situation up front has been well thought through with driver and passenger enjoying supportively comfortable bucket seats and plenty of leg and shoulder room.

However, for occupants in the rear, while legroom is not bad, head and shoulder space are somewhat limited and, while the load area could perhaps have been a little more generous, those travelling light may perhaps be reasonably happy with a luggage space volume of 370 litres with all seats taken.

The Megane Coupe is kitted out with Renault's now legendary keyless entry system and includes a console mounted starter button.

In a neat and tidy dashboard the instrument cluster is easy to read and comprises an analog tachometer, a digital speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges, trip meter and, for those drivers who need the occasional reminder to change the slot there is a gear switch indicator.

Powered by the surprisingly quiet and staggeringly frugal 1.6-litre diesel engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Tom Tom GT Line Megane Coupe feels decidedly at home on the road.

The well set up sports suspension helps to deliver an enjoyably good ride and, with 0-62mph achieved in an agreeable sub 10 seconds.

Along with its svelte looks there is plenty of pull to enjoy from the 130bhp diesel and it also features a fuel saving stop/start system.

This helped to deliver some quite eye opening performance figures including 70.6mpg on average while a low CO2 emissions level of 104g/km features highly in the French car maker's green credentials.

However, it has to be said that my best fuel return was not quite up with the published figures although it was still a not unreasonable 62mpg.

Overall, I found this classy bit of French design certainly satisfied the head turning brigade with its graceful, svelte silhouette and I'm sure Renault deserves to do very well in a coupe scene beloved of aficianados of the breed.