It could be a Lexus. But no Lexus I know has an ass like the Megane. In fact, no car in this market has such a rear end. And that’s probably why every advertising picture you see of it, movie or still, shows the new Megane’s butt.

There are those who suggest the designer is somewhat of a maverick bull in his ideas.

Not. Definitely. I’ve met him several times, and Patric Le Quement's Renault designs are winning all the serious awards, for product and for safety. He is probably not far from retiring, and when he does, it will be with the ultimate satisfaction that the car designs he has developed latterly have saved many lives.

But where does the Lexus come in? In the silence. Because in that respect, the Megane is a lamb. Quiet on the mountainside, or on the road, or wherever you find lambs. And Meganes.

There aren’t many in its class that travel Irish roads without mussing up a quiet programme on Lyric FM. Without being very audible about the potholes from Kerry to Kildare. Without one being made aware that a relatively small engine has to be worked to a buzz to achieve any appreciable headway.

And I’m writing this on the basis of a first date with the car, so to speak. I’ll probably have more to say after a longer courtship. Just now, though, I’m besotted. Courtships are like that.

It won the European Car of the Year 2003 after this particular date. It wasn’t here early enough to qualify for the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003. I suspect it would have won hands down if it had been in that particular list.

Here are the basics. Standard features across the Megane range include front, side and curtain airbags, with the intention of making the new car the safest in its class, as was the predecessor car, but it did even better. ABS with electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist is also standard, as are deadlocks, engine immobiliser and anti-intruder device.

The new Megane is available in three specification levels - Authentique, Sport and Dynamique, and engines immediately available are a 1.4-litre petrol outputting 98bhp and an 80bhp 1.5-litre diesel unit. Both of which rival their main competition in power and torque.

There is a 3-door (Coupe) and a 5-door (Hatch), the former more expensive because it is aimed at a more affluent younger market. That’s a clever reversal of the types that might, or might not, work here.

In the coming year, other derivatives which will be launched in Ireland include a saloon, an estate, and a pair of Scenic compact MPVs, the longer of which will be a 7-seater. And we’ll have a lot more choice in engines.

All in all, Megane II is playing hardball with its rivals. I’m told that the style of the upcoming derivatives is so good that even dealers brought to a very hush-hush preview were divested of their cameras before being allowed enter the sanctum sanctorum.

This is a first view. And the view is great. The seats on the Killarney-Kilcullen run proved superb in both comfort and support, not always the same thing.

A colleague says the car needs another 20bhp or so than the basic 1.4-litre gives. I can’t agree, putting myself in the driving seat of the ordinary driver, as I try to do. The basic car goes fine.

I found one glitch so far - even a considerable time after the rain has stopped, there’s a shower in store the first time you lift the rear door, until you learn where to stand.

Sure, I’ll probably find more. But this was a short acquaintance, though it was, for a change, in Irish conditions.

More, sometime after I’ve finished listening to Lyric. It is so far the best car in the class as its own concert hall while on the move.