- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
Renault Megane RS. Best hot hatchback according to Top Gear
The Renault Megane RS is a powerful hatchback version of the popular Megane model, which has been produced since September 2004. RS stands for Renault Sport. Apart from its commercial success, the Megane RS has also received prestigious awards from automotive magazines. For example: ‘The Best Hot Hatchback’ by the British magazine ‘What Car’ (2010-2014), ‘The Best Non-Supercar’ in the annual competition of the British magazine ‘Evo’, ‘The Car of the Year 2011’ and ‘The Best Hot Hatch’ from BBC Top Gear.
First generation
Renault Sport first built a sports car based on the small Megane family model in 2004. The first Megane RS was available in 3- and 5-door hatchback versions with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine boosted to 225-230 hp, and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The car was able to accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the top speed reached 240 km/h. Remarkably, the engine was already producing 90% of torque at 2,000 rpm and the twin-scroll turbocharger minimized turbocharger lag. Renault’s car also turned out to be fuel-efficient: consumption was 8.8 liters per 100 km.
The hot hatch was richly equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a double sunroof, eight airbags and xenon headlights. The equipment list included Brembo brake discs, ABS with EBD and electronic stability control. The higher versions had a tire pressure sensor, air conditioning, leather interior and a modern car radio. There were also special versions: a lightened Renault Sport 225 Cup (2005-2009), a racing mid-engined Renault Sport Megane Trophy with a 3.5-liter V6 engine developing 325 hp.
In 2006, the Megane RS was updated. The car became safer and more attractive, with new headlights, redesigned grille and bumpers, and translucent taillights.
Second generation
It was produced from 2010 to 2016. The second Megane RS was produced only in the 3-door version. The turbocharged engine was the same, but already developed 250 hp at 5,500 rpm and 340 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm. It was paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the standard models, the sporty RS was distinguished by Brembo front brakes, a front splitter, flared sills and wheel arches, a rear diffuser with a single centrally located exhaust pipe and 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40R18 tires. The interior had aluminum pedals, a sports steering wheel and sports seats with side support. The car had LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights.
The Renault Megane RS has won BBC Top Gear’s “Best Hot Hatch” award
The 250 Cup version received a 2.0-litre engine from RS, but boosted to 265 hp, stiffer chassis, track-tuned suspension, limited-slip differential and reduced weight. Visually, it was distinguished by the red painted brake calipers. The new RS Trophy version (2011), the production of which was limited to only 500 units, showed a lap time at the Nürburgring of 8 minutes and 8 seconds. The Trophy, similar to the Megane in terms of appearance and name, technically had nothing to do with it, the car participated in the European racing series and was used by private racing teams. It was still a super powerful, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive car with a lightweight composite body. The engine remained the same: a 3.5-liter V6 with a capacity of 331 hp and 390 Nm. It was installed in tandem with a 6-speed sequential transmission. The dry weight of the car was 980 kg.
The restyling in 2016 was insignificant, since the engine was not changed. The exterior of the restyled Renault Megane RS 2016 has become a little different due to the new grille, other bumpers and optics. The interior received a new multimedia system called Renault R-Link, which was criticized for its joystick control.
Third generation
It was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017. The new Renault Megane RS is now available only in 5-door body and comes in 3 trim levels: 280-Sport, 280-Cup and 300-Trophy. All versions feature a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine and an all-wheel-steered chassis. This system is called ‘4Control’, it is standard and ‘knows’ how to turn the rear wheels 2.7 degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels, or turn the rear wheels up to 1 degree in the same direction as the front wheels. The sporty car has five drive modes to choose from: Comfort, Neutral, Sport, Race and Personal, which can be customized. In Israel, the car is represented by a 300 horsepower version with an EDC box.
- The 280-Sport is equipped with a torque vectoring system that brakes the inside wheels when cornering to improve handling. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 5.8 seconds.
- The 280-Cup features an additional Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential on the front axle, along with stiffer suspension and 19-inch wheels. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 5.8 seconds.
- The 300-Trophy is similar to the 280cup, but has an even stiffer suspension and, through tuning, a more powerful engine. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 5.7 seconds.
The engine of the new Renault Megane RS develops 280 hp and 390 Nm, a 6-speed manual gearbox or a double-clutch EDC robotic gearbox. The gearbox is equipped with paddle shifters and launch control. The car is front-wheel drive, with McPherson strut suspension up front and a torsion beam at the rear.
The exterior of the sporty Megane is distinguished by LED fog lights in the front bumper, reminiscent of the logo of the Renault Sport division. The model is 4,372 mm long, 1,847 mm wide and 1,445 mm high. The wheelbase is 2,669 mm. The equipment includes air conditioning and a multimedia system with an 8.7-inch screen diagonal, automatic braking assistance and lane keeping assistance systems, adaptive cruise control and parking assistance.
