New-gen Renault Megane RS poised to steal hot-hatch crown

BLENDING sportscar performance with real-world practicality, the hot hatch is arguably the best class of car available in the motoring world right now.

With perennial favourites including the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS on offer, as well as the Peugeot 308 GTi, Suzuki Swift Sport and Audi RS3 Sportback, there is a hot hatch to suit nearly every budget.

The aforementioned cohort better watch their backs however, because the Renault Megane RS is making its comeback this year to try and snatch the hot hatch crown.

Powered by a 205kW/390Nm 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine means the Renault Megane RS will have the brawn to go toe-to-toe with some of the best hot hatches on the market.

With a pricetag of $44,990 before on-roads, the six-speed manual Renault Megane RS splits the middle between the likes of the circa-$40,000 Hyundai i30 N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST and the higher-performing $50,000-plus Volkswagen Golf R, Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R.

If the French hot hatch’s pricing makes it difficult to line up a clear competitor, well its performance blurs the lines even more.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, Megane RS drivers have 205kW/390Nm under their right foot for a zero to 100km/h sprint time of less than six seconds.

Starting things off is the base six-speed manual Renault Megane RS for $44,990 before on-roads, splitting the difference between the likes of the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R.

Power outputs put the Megane RS close to the 202kW/353Nm Hyundai i30 N, but the torque and acceleration time put it right up there with the 228kW/400Nm Honda Civic Type R.

Take into account the fact that the previous-generation Megane RS was arguably the best front-drive chassis in the world at the time, and the new one should easily eclipse its predecessor’s performance.

As the only hot hatch to feature four-wheel steering for high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, expect to see the new Megane RS break more than a few records at racetracks around the world.

Although the new Megane RS is a front-drive-only affair, its four-wheel steering system is expected to give it an edge against some of its all-paw competitors.

What the new Megane RS offers that few others can though, is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic option for another $2500 to make it a little easier to live with around town.

But the options don’t stop there. As standard, the Megane RS is offered in Sport trim, but for those buying the three-pedal version, a Cup pack can be added for $1490 that bundles a stiffer suspension set-up, red-painted Brembo callipers, 19-inch alloys and – most importantly – a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential.

But wait, there’s more. A Trophy version is also set for release in the second half of next year that raises outputs to 220kW and either 400Nm in the manual or 410Nm in the automatic.

For those that think the standard Megane RS is not enough though, buyers can also option up to the Trophy spec that raises performance to 220kW/400Nm.

To achieve the lift in performance, Renault has fitted a new turbocharger with technology derived from its Formula One experience, while a reworked bi-modal exhaust is also fitted.

Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres are also fitted at each corner, wrapped around 19-inch wheels, while the rest of the Cup pack upgrades also carry over.

Inside, the Trophy grade gains Recaro bucket seats as an option that sit 20mm lower than the previous model, as well as lashings of Alcantara throughout the cabin.

The Renault Megane RS Trophy will land in Australian showrooms next year wearing an expected circa-$50,000 before on-road costs pricetag as the flagship of the French hot hatch range.

Pricing is yet to be revealed, but expect to see the Trophy fall in line with other top-spec hot hatches at around the $50,000 mark.

Across the Megane RS line-up though, expect to see an 8.7-inch infotainment system, perforated leather steering wheel and shifter, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, heated door mirrors, six airbags, and front and rear parking sensors.

The new Megane RS hot hatch will carry the torch from the outgoing version that was based on the third-generation French small car, which was lauded at the time for its strong dynamic characteristics.

Available from 2010-2017, the second-generation Renault Megane RS was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that could produce as much as 202kW/360Nm in 275 Trophy form.

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre F4RT (no, really that’s the engine code) four cylinder, the Megane RS 250 produced 184kW (250PS hence the name) of power and 340Nm of torque.

Updated iterations, including the RS 265, RS 275 Trophy and RS 275 Trophy-R, made as much as 202kW/460Nm, but this generation Megane RS was all about the handling thanks to a wonderful limited-slip differential and front-drive suspension set-up.

The first-ever Megane RS though, was released in 2004 and based on the second-generation Megane and its protruding derriere that would make even a Kardashian jealous.

The first-generation Renault Megane RS competed against the Honda Civic Type R and Mazda3 MPS with a 165kW/300Nm turbo-petrol engine, but many could not look past its bulbous rear end.

With a 165kW/300Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre in tow, the original Megane RS could accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h in only 6.2s, making it a formidable performance hatchback nearly 15 years ago.

However, Renault upped the ante on newer variants include a range-topping RS R26.R version with 170kW as well as a track-only Trophy powered by a 243kW/390Nm 3.5-litre V6 engine derived from the Nissan 350Z.

The new Megane RS has lofty expectations then, but if the brand’s past hot hatches are anything to go by, the latest Renault Sport street machine will also be its greatest.

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