IT'S coming up for two years since Renault launched its new Megane and shocked the public with its bold styling.
The outrageously angled lines, combined with a curve or two, could have resulted in a visual disaster but I liked what I saw. Yet it was a gamble and I always felt it would take quite some time for people to get used to it - if they ever would.
So I was intrigued, to say the least, at what sort of reaction my latest road-test car - the diesel Megane - would provoke.
Unfortunately for Renault, it appears that its radical design policy has again - remember the ill-fated Avantime - failed to capture the hearts of the general public.
"Ugly", "not convinced" and "too weird" were the sort of comments being made by friends, colleagues and members of the public when I asked them about the Megane last week.
I think such a reaction is very harsh and applaud the French car company for daring to be different.
But then again, the customer is always right and Renault is going to have to decide whether such design gambles are worth taking in the future.
For the present, the Megane is a welcome addition to the family car sector.
As you will have already gathered, I like the look of the hatchback. I also liked the way the diesel performed, even if the stats don't excite too much.
The 100bhp, 1.5-litre engine takes the Megane from 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds, but trust me - it feels much quicker.
It offers a nimble drive and is equally at home in the city, on the motorway and on winding country roads. Economy figures are very good, too, at more than 60mpg combined.
The interior is comfortable, spacious and well equipped and there is only minimal engine noise infiltrating the cabin.
And I really like the Renault Card. This electronic gadget does away with the need for a key - it automatically unlocks the vehicle and also fires up the engine.
The hands-free card works without leaving a pocket, wallet or handbag thanks to proximity sensors that detect its presence.
My message to Renault is: carry on being innovative. Such different designs may not be everybody's cup of tea - but they are a breath of fresh air in an age when there are some truly dull-looking vehicles out there.
FAST FACTS
Renault Megane 1.5 dCi 100 Expression
Price: £13,490
Mechanical: 100bhp, 1,461cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 12.8 secs
Combined mpg: 62.8
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint