Renault Megane RS – A better

EVERYDAY HOT-HATCH: HARDCORE PERFORMANCE JUNKIES’ DREAM CAR GROWS UP

This more sensible RS can attract quite a few new buyers into the Renault camp.

Mark Jones

Before I even try and get started on what I think of the new Renault Megane RS, I think it is vitally important that you understand what the new car is all about.

Previous Megane RS cars appealed mostly to hardcore performance enthusiasts that were prepared to live with a very firm everyday ride for the sake of a hot hatch that outhandled almost any other hot hatch in the twisties or on the track. And Renault also offered an even more hardcore Cup version and then even more than that in the Trophy spec cars.

Even the ‘everyday’ RS was seriously focused on handling, and owners understood and loved that. What we have now, is a Megane RS that is a lot more refined for everyday use. A hot hatch that is a better all round, everyday package that will appeal to a wider base of potential customers.

So, the new Megane RS is not a Civic Type R or VW Clubsport S competitor, think more VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST and you will understand exactly where Renault has gone with this car. Some will see this as a bad and some will see it as a good move.

Before you judge the new car, remember that there is already a Cup version on the table, and a Trophy version should see the light of day before the end of the year. It is said it will run around 225kW and 400Nm, the Cup chassis, 19-inch wheels and bi-material brake discs as standard to cater for the out and out performance junkies.

All of that had to be said, because even I was caught a little unawares when I jumped in the new car and tackled the first mountain pass just outside Jerez in Spain. I was expecting the uncompromising, razor sharp, track based car of old but instead found a hot hatch that was happier to be pushed at seven tenths rather than nine or ten tenths, just like its GTI and ST rivals are.

Under the bonnet is an all-new 1.8-litre direct injection turbo engine boosting at 1.7 bar, which is good for 205kW of power at 6 000 rpm and a peak torque of 390Nm available from 2 400 to 4 800rpm. For South Africa’s market introduction at the end of July, we are only getting the much improved six-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox.

The box and related set-up was good, but it did have its quirks. I don’t like steering mounted paddle shifters that don’t move with the steering wheel, and at times, especially in tight corners, I found myself looking for the paddle. And for some strange reason, you can’t use the gear lever to manually shift gears.

Another little quirk was that when you had selected comfort mode, and then found yourself wanting to quickly overtake, you could floor the accelerator, but the car would still short shift at around 4 500 rpm and leave you a bit short of the urge you were looking for.

Other than that, Sport and Race modes did what they should. And of course there is a launch control function.

Talking of Sport and Race modes brings me to the handling and the 4Control technology on the new Megane RS. Fitted as standard on the Sport and Cup chassis, this four-wheel steering system is a world first in the compact sports car segment.