Renault has released first pictures of the new, four generation Megane hatchback which will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

Exterior designer Franck Le Gall said: "On the highly competitive market of compact saloons, it was vital that New Mégane should stand out right from the first glance."

The company is also launching a GT trim level designed in association with Renaultsport, featuring 18" alloys, new grille design and a tweaked front bumper.

The new Megane goes on sale at the end of 2015. 

Addressing build quality concerns, Isabelle Marchand, director of perceived quality at Renault, told AutoExpress: "We wanted to place the new Megane at a very high level of quality. Quality starts at the beginning - it cannot be an afterthought.

"We started with the Clio and each model is a step-by-step progression. The Megane project has been on-going for more than three years."