With the Ford Focus RS heralding the arrival of a new breed of über hot hatches, it was just a matter of time before a segment stalwart like Renault stepped up its game – and the recently-launched third generation Mégane proved the perfect platform for Renault Sport magic.
Continuing the long line of successful hot hatches Renault’s produced over the last two decades, the Mégane RS is touted as being the brand’s ultimate representation of style, performance and street credibility.
"The exciting new Mégane RS is the flag bearer of the Renault Sport range, and represents the pinnacle of the brand's sporting identity. It combines the latest in design and technology, much of which is entirely new to this segment. The Mégane RS also offers the unique proposition of the Sport chassis for everyday driving, or the exceptional Cup chassis, which is targeted at the true sports car enthusiast." says Renault SA managing director, Xavier Gobille.
Based on the Mégane Coupe, RS and RS Cup models are even more distinguishable thanks to a wider air intake with trademark gloss-black finish and air splitter on the front bumper, wider fender flares, 18-inch alloys (19-inch Speedline wheels on the Cup model), central exhaust tailpipe and diffuser. What further sets the Renault Sport Méganes apart are the choice of colours – including Sport Yellow, Extreme Blue, Pearl Black, Glacier White, Mercury Silver, Oyster Grey and Capsicum Red.
The turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder powerplant used in the previous-generation Mégane F1 Team R26 has undergone extensive revisions (the use of a twin-scroll turbocharger, continuously-variable valve timing and revised mapping) to make it Euro 5 compliant, as well as more powerful.
Renault Sport engineers have eked out a maximum 184 kW at 5 500 r/min and 340 N.m of torque at 3 000 r/min – with 80 per cent of the maximum torque available from as low as 1 900 r/min. Using an improved version of the six-speed manual gearbox used in its lesser sibling, the Mégane RS sprints to 100 km/h from zero in 6,1 seconds, blitzes a standing kilometre in 25,7 seconds and is limited to a 250 km/h top speed.
Renault claims the RS is capable of a combined fuel consumption figure of 8,4 litres/100km and emits just 195 g/km of CO2.
The model designation determines the suspension package that comes with the model: Sport and Cup. The Sport package is standard with the RS and consists of springs 10mm lower than other Megané Coupés, with uprated damper and spring rates, while the Cup model gets a limited-slip differential, and stiffer overall set-up. The RS’s brakes are by Brembo and measure 340 mm up front and 290 mm in the rear. On the Cup, the discs are grooved and calipers printed red.
The interior also boast RS treatment, with dark carbon trim and yellow stitching on the steering wheel and Renault Sport leather seats (RS models get Recaro bucket-type seats). Furthermore, there’s aluminium trim on the footrest and pedals, as well as Renault Sport badges on the door sills, headrests, rev counter and facia.
Both models feature full climate control, LED daytime running lights, as well as the Renault transponder card for keyless entry/start. The driver is also able to choose between three degrees of intervention on the ESP system.
The standard Sport comes with an integrated Carminat Tom Tom navigation system, while the Cup model features Renault’s new Sport Monitor; displays useful data such as power, torque and turbo pressure, transverse and longitudinal acceleration – and includes a stopwatch and lap timer to measure 0-100 km/h sprints, 400 metre and 1000 metre standing start times.
PRICING
Mégane RS Sport R349 900
Mégane RS Cup R399 900
The price includes a five-years/100 000 km service plan, and five-years/150 000 km warranty. Service intervals are every 10 000 km.
