Used buying guide

Renault Sport turned the Mégane into a hot hatch that, in its day, was unequalled for driver thrills. Today, it’s still as cool, just even better value. John Evans is your guide

Renault Sport Méganes for £1.5k

It’s hard to imagine that back in 2009 Renault was having trouble shifting its hottest Renault Sportfettled Mégane – the stripped-out, limited-run R26.R. Hard, because today you’ll pay at least £18,000 for one, a figure not short of its new price. That’s 18 big ones for an eightyear-old Renault whose commitment to the noble cause of hot-hatchery is unlikely to be equalled.

For a start, it did without the regular car’s radio, rear seats, most of the airbags, much of the soundproofing, the rear wiper and the front foglights. The steel bonnet was replaced by one made of carbonfibre, and the glass rear and side windows by polycarbonate items. The 227bhp 2.0-litre turbo four powered the front wheels and there was a limited-slip differential.

The R26.R could do 0-62mph in less than 6.0sec but it came into its own on the optional, ultra-grippy Toyo track tyres. A development version broke the lap record for a front-wheel-drive car at the Nürburgring. The R26.R was a fitting sign-off for a sports hatch that, even in lesser guises, was a thrilling motor, at least once the launch wrinkles had been ironed out.

The Renault Sport Mégane’s mistake was to arrive in 2005, while applause for the acclaimed Clio Renault Sport 172, 182 and V6 was at its peak. Expectations were high, only to be dashed by the Mégane’s softer, more family friendly character. On paper, it looked competitive – 222bhp 2.0-litre turbo four, 0-62mph in 6.5sec – but it lacked conviction.

Equipment levels were high, though, with regular cars having half-leather trim, xenon lights and front Brembo brakes. The Lux trim level added full leather, 18in alloys and a rear spoiler.

Stung by the car’s lukewarm reception, Renault hit back with the three-door Trophy, featuring stiffer suspension and better grip, plus more communicative steering. Drivers loved it, so Renault rolled the tweaks out to the slightly lighter Cup version, boasting stronger Brembo brakes and meatier steering.

In 2006, the facelifted ‘Phase 2’ model arrived with a restyled nose and interior tweaks. There were regular and Lux versions plus a Cup-based Renault F1 Team special edition with uprated rear suspension, black alloys and Recaro seats.

However, it was the 227bhp F1 Team R26 that put the Mégane RS on the map. The additional power was welcome but it was its limited-slip diff that marked it out for greatness; that, plus the Cup chassis package, howling exhaust, Recaro front seats and inevitable suspension tweaks.

Like all RS Méganes, the R26 is tough and rust-resistant but with even more talent than the 222bhp Cup, Trophy and F1 Team cars. It has the same engine and limited-slip diff as the R26.R but there are many more to choose from priced from £4500 for a 2007 car with about 70,000 miles. In short, it’s a hot hatch must-have.