At long last, Australia finally receives the much anticipated Renault Megane RS. This all-new version based on the 4th-generation Megane hatch, packs a much more rounded spread of abilities over its predecessor but also takes raw performance and agility a couple notches up as well.
It’s been nearly exactly a year since this all-new Megane RS was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017, underlining just how long the rest of us have had to wait for what is arguably the most controversial, but undeniably talented iteration of the French hot hatch yet.
Renault Australia have not seen stellar success with the 5-door Megane as the majority of buyers opt for (slightly) more practical crossovers instead. Of the Meganes currently available, the majority of buyers choose the car in sportier its GT spec, the closest yet buyers here have at the RS but equipped with a less powerful 1.6 turbo-petrol lifted from the Clio RS.
Therefore, it won’t be long until Renault’s local portfolio of hatchbacks will only comprise of products from their performance division, Renault Sport. That said, this new Megane is expected to sell in much healthier numbers than the car it replaces.
With two more doors, more luxurious interior appointments - leather and Alcantara upholstery, an 8.7-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, Bose stereo - and even an optional automatic transmission, the RS has certainly grown into a more versatile vehicle, though also means it’s more expensive, arriving with a starting price of $44,990.
Under the bonnet lives a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 205kW and 390Nm, which it shares with the Alpine A110 that uses it in a mid-engine configuration. It sends drive to exclusively the front wheels via either a 6-speed manual or Renault’s EDC dual-clutch transmission, the latter being $47,490. Apparently, the more hardcore Megane RS Trophy is due to its Down Under debut in the latter half of 2019.
As before, each Megane can be optioned with the more track-focused Cup chassis that offers sharper handling at the expense of a more uncompromising ride. However, every example will be fitted with a limited slip front differential and the new 4Control rear-wheel steering system.
The Megane RS 280 can launch from 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds should it be chosen with the quicker-shifting dual-clutch transmission. Additionally, buyers of the Cup package will receive a mechanical limited slip front differential as well as stronger and more lightweight Brembo brakes.
On the safety and driver assist front, each Megane RS comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, and all-round parking sensors as standard.
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