250hp Renault Megane RS Unleashed (with video)

More power for the Megane RS

By Christopher Jackson
March 3, 2009 3:31 PM
Filed Under: European, Geneva Motor Show, Renault

To keep its hat firmly in the hot-hatch ring, Renault unveiled an updated Mégane Renaultsport 250 at Geneva today. It's not wearing an Alpine badge, but with an additional 25 horsepower under the hood and a choice of sport suspensions, it's unlikely that many enthusiasts will complain.

The Mégane Renaultsport 250 is set apart by a bodykit that includes a dramatic front splitter, LED daytime running lights, widened sills and eighteen-inch wheels. A motorsport influence is obvious on the interior, where the seats are heavily bolstered and the analog tachometer includes audible and visual shift indicators. A special Renaultsport steering wheel with thumb grips and aluminum pedals help to set the mood.

The 2.0 liter turbocharged 16-valve engine produces 250 horsepower and 340Nm torque, a twenty-horse boost over the Mégane R26.R. The responsive twin-scroll turbo provides a broad powerband, and power is routed through a six-speed manual gearbox. The engine note has also been tuned in an effort to get the perfect burble.

The suspension hasn't changed, but like the other Renaultsport models, the RS 250 is available with one of two sport suspensions. The standard sport chassis provides daily-driver responsiveness for enthusiast drivers, while the more extreme Cup suspension features a limited-slip differential. Both suspensions include revised electronic power steering and a stability control system that's easily disconnected for track days.

The new Mégane Renaultsport 250 goes on sale in the UK later this year.

Source: Renault

Press Release (Click to expand)

As the latest in a long line of Renault performance models, New Mégane Renaultsport 250 stands out through its exhilarating performance and handling. The fusion of its extra 25hp with unmistakable sporting coupé credentials and choice of two chassis settings (sport and Cup, the latter with a limited slip differential) is clear evidence that New Mégane Renaultsport has been honed to delight enthusiasts.

Coming after Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R, New Mégane Renaultsport 250 profits fully from Renault Sport Technologies' extensive experience when it comes to manufacturing performance models.

Powerful
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is powered by a new-generation two-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine which boasts maximum power of 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm. The sum of the different improvements made to this engine has produced a gain of 20hp and 40Nm over Mégane R26.R which itself emerged as the yardstick in the world of performance hatches. The Renaultsport engine's twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive, particularly at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1,900rpm. Its wide power band makes it a genuine joy to drive in everyday use, and the pleasure remains undiminished  all the way up to the rev-limiter whenever it is pushed a little harder. The engine of New Mégane Renaultsport 250 transmits its power through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Work has also gone into the acoustics of the Renaultsport engine to produce a tell-tale sporty note audible inside the cabin under acceleration.

Efficient
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current version. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling allied with great traction.

Like the Renaultsport versions of the Clio and Twingo ranges, New Mégane Renaultsport is available with a choice of two chassis: the standard sport chassis or the Cup chassis, which comes with a limited slip differential for even greater traction.

The electric power steering features specific calibration and benefits from the latest improvements seen on New Mégane aimed at achieving greater precision and even more feedback from the road.

New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is equipped with ESP which is fully disconnectable in order to enable owners to enjoy their car's full potential on a circuit.

Provocative
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 benefits from undeniably sporty looks. The front bumper incorporates the LED daytime running lights, as well as the splitter which recalls the low-slung nose of the R28 Formula 1 car. The dynamic looks are further emphasised by extended wheel arches and sills, 18-inch alloy wheels, central exhaust tailpipe and rear diffuser.

The interior design, too, recalls the world of motor sport, from the extra lateral support for the seats, to the analogue rev-counter with visual and audible gearshift indicator, the aluminium pedals and the Renaultsport steering wheel complete with thumb grips. The Renaultsport signature is also visible inside the car: on the headrests, rev-counter and dashboard.

Renault Sport Technologies has combined its experience of motor sport with its longstanding production expertise to develop a comprehensive range of sporting cars. The hallmarks of Renaultsport models are their pedigree engines and efficient chassis which together deliver an undeniably high level of sports performance, as testified by the reputation forged by Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R which were voted 'Sporting Car of the Year' in France in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

New Mégane Renaultsport 250 goes on sale in the UK later this year.

Comments

msinisa
March 3, 2009 3:56 PM
Dead ugly, copy of seat leon, I wish French could be at least half as good as Germans, take look at scirocco, it looks even more amazing live.

Bristol411S3
March 3, 2009 4:06 PM
Yes, it does look a bit like a Leon Cupra, but I look forward to hearing how this thing drives as the R26.R was sensational, apparently.

gorgonzola
March 3, 2009 4:09 PM
Indeed yes well go get a scirocco and wait till this passes you by in 3rd gear with 3 more to go.

msinisa
March 3, 2009 4:16 PM
I feel sorry for the people who buy renault.

trailer
March 3, 2009 4:30 PM
What an exact copy of Astra OPC, look at the tailpipe...:))))

gorgonzola
March 3, 2009 4:33 PM
Why cause they center mount an exhaust....damn...well look at that EXACT copy of the GTI exhausts just like the CLIO RS...man look at that copy!!!! wow....hey....

msinisa
March 3, 2009 4:38 PM
French are so "unique"

gorgonzola
March 3, 2009 5:02 PM
Rofl, look where that comment comes from? From a German camp u sure u want to say things like that? Where Audi terrorises its entire range with same light, door and window system? Pleaaaaasee pack your sh*t.

msinisa
March 3, 2009 5:10 PM
gorgonzola, I don't care about French and German nations, it's cars I care about, and the truth is, French cars have bad design, and bad reliability.

cezar
March 3, 2009 5:18 PM
it's so much better than the golf gti + this would be the hot hatch 2 buy by far

gorgonzola
March 3, 2009 5:23 PM
Roooooofflll......XD

Drazen
March 3, 2009 5:34 PM
In a world that was once domineered mainly by German manufacturers ... the Frenchies sure are making an impact and times are changing ... Can't wait to buy it, it's gonna kick ass! (current RS225 owner)

BritBoy
March 3, 2009 5:58 PM
Looks good, should be a good drive too. I wish they had stuck with the RenaultSport trademark twin tailpipes though.

ShinyG
March 3, 2009 6:26 PM
Don't mind the German fanbois, they're are frustrated because this car will probably own every European FWD sedan around the Nring...

gorgonzola
March 3, 2009 6:37 PM
hahhahah I dig the fanbois..... brilliant slap of a nick...fanboiiiis.....yuck!....well said mate.... cant wait to see this thing in its RSR guise....ooooo

Targa_Florio
March 3, 2009 8:24 PM
The previous one used to be the ugliest and fastest hot hatch on the track. It is still ugly, so it should still be fast :-)

However I've heard the standard Coupé with 180hp is rubbish on the road... Let's hope they won't mess up with the RS.

gorgonzola
March 4, 2009 12:38 AM
Where did u hear its rubbish? Cause if u read carefully, it out accelerates in gear scirocco by 3 seconds ! I am not sure what model they are referring too, thats certainly not rubbish and besides, u have to look at price for crying out loud. everything is relative.

Targa_Florio
March 4, 2009 10:16 AM
I'm talking about the 2.0 TCe Coupé with 180hp, which has a rubbish suspension setup for the road, and is barely more performant up to 180kph than the Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160hp.

msinisa
March 4, 2009 4:55 PM
In my opinion, cars are like women, they have to be reliable and beautifyl, who cares if some car accelerates second or 2 seconds faster, if it has bad brakes, suspension or reliability.

gorgonzola
March 4, 2009 6:20 PM
hahahahahah this is gettign funnier and funnier...... germanfanbois....indeed....really man your poor knowledge of cars is astonishingly embarrassing. Big claims need big proof. rubish rubish everything that is not german is rubish pitty you cant win a race....

msinisa
March 4, 2009 7:32 PM
gorgonzola, you are so frustrated person, why don't you try some medecine instead of internet?

mario206
March 13, 2009 12:55 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSqVJy1XVU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-fCiFeduSQ&feature=related

gorgonzola these might help you understand that german cars... are.... u know....

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