Renault’s Megane R.S. 300 refines the hot hatch experience
The Renault Megane R.S. is one of those classic hot hatches that people often reference as the ideal ‘daily’ performance car. Needless to say, Renault isn’t planning on letting the Megane rest on its laurels, which is why it’s given it a little mid-life lift.
The exterior has been sharpened, while the option of a manual gearbox has been ditched in favour of a sole automatic choice as a result of stricter emissions-based tax rules in the car’s native France. What else does it have to offer? Let’s take a look.
Though many purists will be sad to see the manual gearbox depart, they have been compensated by a boost in power from the car’s 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The track-orientated Cup chassis is now reserved only for the range-topping Trophy version, so this ‘regular’ R.S. makes do with the more pliant Sport version. For everyday drivers, however, this is likely to come as a benefit.
You still get four-wheel-steering as before, while inside the Megane benefits from Renault’s latest infotainment setup. It’s far from a comprehensive set of changes, but it’s enough to keep the R.S. feeling fresh.
The R.S. uses the same size engine as before – a 1.8-litre...