Renault Megane
RS
In
the increasingly competitive hot hatch arena, the Megane
RS offers a French twist to the theme
What's
New
Renault has been churning out hot hatches for ages now and,
arguably, if you're in the market for something that handles
but doesn't come with the typically attendant bone-shattering
ride, then look no further.
Renault's
Megane hatchback was released in 2002 to substantial acclaim,
also garnering a coveted five-star rating during crash tests
conducted by EuroNCAP, one of the most influential independent
crash safety organisations in the world. The RS version,
or to give it its very full name, the Renault Megane RenaultSport
225, was launched at last year's Geneva Motor Show.
The
visual differences over the standard hatchback are fairly
subtle, but they do lend a welcome aggressiveness to the
proceedings. You get a new front bumper with an angrier-looking
lower air intake, and integral foglamps housed in quirky
looking nacelles on either side of the bumper. You also
get 17-inch alloys that hide beefy-looking Brembo brakes
and a resculpted rear bumper that sports a pair of centre
exit exhausts.
Inside,
the cabin gets special RenaultSport attention, which amounts
to body-hugging sports seats upholstered in black leather
with an orange underlay, visible through the thousands of
ventilation holes, as well as orange stitching. It's an
attractive effect overall, and helps to make the cabin feel
special. You also get piano-black paint on various surfaces
like the instrument bezels and gearlever surround.
How
it Performs
Powering the RS is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that
pumps out the eponymous 225bhp. In reality, it feels much,
much quicker than the on-paper figures suggest. The RS supposedly
dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds but the delicate
accelerometers in our bottoms suggest otherwise.
The
engine is pretty explosive, it hits considerably harder
than, say, the turbocharged unit in the new Golf GTI for
example, and pulls strongly all the way to the redline.
The only niggles are the slightly innocuous engine and exhaust
notes, not exactly fitting considering how punchy the engine
actually is.
On
the road, the RS is comfortable enough to function as a
perfectly competent long-distance cruiser, it's also pretty
refined, with wind and tyre noise kept well in check. While
body control is commendable, the steering, however, is curiously
light and lacking in feel.
Renault
has given the RS a special front axle that supposedly minimises
torque steer. Accurate as it is, unfortunately it's minimised
steering feel as well. Unfortunately, the quality of the
gearchange follows the steering's lead, it's a bit too vague
and rubbery for a car like this.
How
it Stacks Up
The Megane RS retails for $133,888 with COE. That might
seem a bit steep for a hot hatch, especially as the very
capable Volkswagen Golf GTI undercuts the RS by about seven
grand. The RS does have more of a long distance cruiser's
mien and it's focused as much on offering a comfortable
drive as it is a sporty one, so that distinguishes it from
the stiffer and more unyielding VW.
The
faults mentioned above aren't critical, you should be able
to get used to them pretty sharpish, actually. The fact
remains that as a package the RS has plenty to recommend
itself, it's very, very quick, and you won't have to be
on first name terms with the chiropractor.
| Technical Specifications |
|
MODEL
Renault Megane RS
ENGINE
Engine: 1,998cc turbocharged in-line 4
Max Power: 225bhp @ 5,500rpm
Max Torque: 300Nm @ 3,000rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
TOP SPEED
236 kmh
0-100km/h
6.5s
|
