Review: Renault Megane RS

This car offers pure performance for people who love to drive, writes Trish Whelan.

Renault's Megane RS C-segment hot hatch lives up to its promise of offering exhillerating driving. It can be a right howl to drive, or a well-mannered everyday car. 

But performance is the reason customers would want to buy a motor like this, and Renault have a long standing involvement in topflight motorsport and this third generation of the model is packed full of Renault Sport expertise and passion. 

My press car dazzled in its Volcanic Orange exterior paintwork that attracted appreciative, and envious looks wherever I drove it. And naturally I loved to show it off.

The stand out colour and special engine sound from a new version of the 1.8 direct injection turbo petrol engine delivering a sizzling 276bhp and 390Nm of torque, which blasts it from 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds, certainly turned heads during my time with this very special Megane variant from Renault Sport first revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show. 

When handed the keys, I couldn't wait to get behind the wheel and steer the car out on to the road. Oh! how I longed for big open spaces to put it to the test instead of having to use congested motorways to get home. But all the way, the big grin was a permanent fixture on my face. It would lift anyone’s day.  

This Megane RS may not the most powerful hot hatch on the road, but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun when you get the opportunity to give it its head and let loose, so to speak. All within the law, of course.

This car appealed to me for its striking good looks and pure driving enjoyment in equal measures. 

With bespoke lines, wider wings which have been extended by 60mm and 45mm at the front and rear respectively compared with Megane GT, it really stands out. The car's overall width has been increased and new 18- and 19-inch wheels provide a better stance and further help with the car's cornering performance.

Since the launch of the original Megane RS back in 2004, the model has carved out a strong reputation in the high-performance C-segment. 

Top speed is 255km/h where permitted. While my car didn't actually guzzle fuel (official fuel consumption is a claimed 6.9 L/100kms), I achieved far worse at 10.7 L/100kms. 

It is the first car in its segment to get 4CONTROL four-wheel steering that ensures stability at high speeds and agility at low speeds. It’s exclusive to the segment. At high speeds, the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction, limited to a one degree angle for the rear wheels and at low speeds, both sets of wheels turn in opposite directions up to a maximum angle of 2.7 degrees.

This technology delivers outstanding agility when you put it through tight turns and impressive cornering stability at higher speeds. Yet you can have everyday comfort for ordinary days when you just want to take things easier behind the wheel. The car proved to be very nimble and easy to park. 

Both 6-speed manual and 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch gearbox (EDC) are offered. The EDC is available for the first time. This was my review car. Having an auto gearbox in such a car as this came as quite a surprise. Purists would usually opt for a manual to have more control over gears, but this auto suited me perfectly. For that extra oomph, put it in Sport mode! 

Two types of chassis are available - Sport or Cup. The Sport chassis provides easy sporty driving (best in class efficiency) while the Cup one offers greater sports performance for track and fast road use. 

Megane RS is also more efficient than ever with 155g/km C02, so annual road tax is Band C of €390 p/a. 

This bombshell will cost €42,995 to get your mits on. With the options, my car shot up to €48,270 which is a lot for a Megane, but this car is special. 

Lest you forget what it is you're driving, the letters RS are embroidered all over the car.

The New Renault Megane RS has been designed by people who are passionate about cars for people who love to drive. The car’s versatility also makes it perfectly suited to everyday use.

Rivals include the Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus RS.

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