“With the dCi 130 it is quite torquey, so it is very pleasant to drive and at the end of the day a fleet car needs to be very CO2 efficient and those engines are – especially the dCi 110 which is 95g/km for both the manual and auto versions. So whichever version you go for, there’s no penalty for going for the auto transmission.”

• With the GT Line trim, do you think it’s going to be a key specification for the UK market?

“It has proven to work with the current range and attract a different audience – younger people. It’s the fun trim of the range – the GT Line sits perfectly between the standard and performance GT ranges. It’s a lead-in to the GT range basically.”

• We’re still a long way off from launch, but can you give me any idea of indicative pricing for the new Megane?

“The high-spec diesel, as you’ve driven it, will roughly be £23,000 on the road. The GT, well it will start at £25,000. For the entry-level with the 130 petrol – the same as the Kadjar, we are looking at something like £18,000.”

• Do you think sales of the new Renault Megane are going to come from core Renault buyers? Or are you expecting a lot of conquest sales?

“We have a bank of customers that are currently driving Megane and are happy with the car because it works well. So we can talk to those customers first about the new Megane. Then we’re looking at conquest, you have to conquest to get market share in the C-segment.

“There is a good opportunity for the Megane in the UK. We have to get the prices and specs right to get a decent residual value. Then if the RV is good enough, we’ll be able to offer low rate finance and then you sell. If we don’t get a good RV, we won’t be competitive. It’s like box ticking, but every box is important.

“I think the product is right, the design is right, we just need to get the range right, then we need to define the pricing and how the new Megane sits in the market.

“I think there’s enough content in the new car to get people interested, it’s quite impressive to see the progression from the current model.”

• For our first impressions of the new Megane, see Renault Megane 205 GT review: Sportiest new Megane GT focuses on the fun factor.