PARIS MOTOR SHOW 2002. For some reason, new products in the small family car, or C-segment, were thin on the ground at Paris this year. The niche, and the supermini, were kings.

Which kind of left the C-segment field to what is likely to be regarded as the bravest move of the year. The Renault Megane II. Due in Ireland in a very few short weeks.

Designer Patrick Le Quement has pushed out the envelope again, after his latest critical success with the Vel Satis, and the more material success of the Laguna II. And without doubt, there's a lot riding on this one.

Maybe it was because we've all seen the pictures, but our first view of the Megane II in the metal didn't surprise us as much as we might have been. Plus that we've been receiving pre-introduction 'jabs', so to speak, with the Vel Satis and the (not yet in Ireland) Avantime.

The details we saw at Paris are good. The front has distinction, the interior appears strong and interesting in design, and the back ...

Well, the back we will learn to love or to leave, and it is too soon to tell which. Certainly, it works quite well in the 3-door cars, and is one reason why that model will be marketed as a coupe. The other being that there is NO separate coupe as there was with Megane I.

When we get one on the road, we'll also be getting a hint of the performance of the platform which will carry the next Nissan Almera, as this is one of the platforms to be shared in the Renault/Nissan alliance.

At Paris, the engine choices detailed were 1.4 98bhp, 1.6 115bhp, 2.0 136bhp with a 6-speed gearbox, and four turbodiesel options involving 1.5 and 1.9-litre engines ranging in power outputs from 80-140bhp. We;ll know shortly which options will be available here.

The Megane II in ‘world’ specification also has 8-10 airbags, ESP dynamic driving control systems, and the coupe (3-door) will have Renault’s new anti-sliding airbags at least as an option. And while we only saw the saloon and the coupe, there will be no less than seven variants of the car, includinga brace of Scenics and an estate.

While we mention estates, one of the other main C-segment highlights was the Fiat Stilo wagon (above), and what we saw of that DID impress. In the metal, the car is very substantial-looking and has load capacity from 510-1,480 litres.

Engines showcased are 1.6 103bhp and 1.8 133bhp in petrol form and a brace of 1.9 JTDs outputting 80-115bhp.

Safety-wise, the SW has up to eight airbags, ABS with EBD, and many of the other usual suspects. It will also offer automatic lights. The car’s arrival in its native country is likely to boost Stilo sales, as up to half of cars sold in most main marques there are wagons.

Most other brands at the show were content to present mildly cosmeticised versions of their cars in this segment.