18.02.2009
Renault has just put a new website up with a teaser pic of the new hot Megane and a countdown to the Geneva Motor Show.
Read the FULL ARTICLE in First Look
Then let us know your thoughts
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36 Comments
Richard - DR
February 18, 2009The Focus RS vs Megane RS battle is certainly going to intensify once this is launched. We’ll be sure to have a good poke around it at Geneva in a few weeks time.
It seems wrong to speculate on an ‘.R’ version before the standard Renaultsport Megane has been released, but it’s impossible not to given how good the R26.R is. Here’s hoping the RS guys are already working on a prototype in Dieppe…
Richard - DR
February 18, 2009The Focus RS vs Megane RS battle is certainly going to intensify once this is launched. We’ll be sure to have a good poke around it at Geneva in a few weeks time.
It seems wrong to speculate on an ‘.R’ version before the standard Renaultsport Megane has been released, but it’s impossible not to given how good the R26.R is. Here’s hoping the RS guys are already working on a prototype in Dieppe…
Scotty
February 18, 2009Reminds me of the old Megane WRC Kit Car. Lets hope the “R” version is appropriately mental!!
Scotty
February 18, 2009Reminds me of the old Megane WRC Kit Car. Lets hope the “R” version is appropriately mental!!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
February 18, 2009One thing is for sure: showing this first image clearly indicates they’re after the focus RS, as it was first shown in the same way!
I believe they’ll probably do a ‘lower’ version to match the Focus ST power output and an hardcore version to keep up with the 300 bhp Focus.
Pure speculative thought, but it seems reasonable to me!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
February 18, 2009One thing is for sure: showing this first image clearly indicates they’re after the focus RS, as it was first shown in the same way!
I believe they’ll probably do a ‘lower’ version to match the Focus ST power output and an hardcore version to keep up with the 300 bhp Focus.
Pure speculative thought, but it seems reasonable to me!
Richard - DR
February 18, 2009That’s a good point, although I would expect RenaultSport’s ST equivalent to have a more hard-edged chassis than the somewhat softcore Focus. I’m looking forward to Geneva more and more…
I don’t know about you, but I’m really loving the current hot hatch revival. There are some great cars right across the power and price ranges, from the sub-150bhp class right up to these 300bhp monsters. With SEAT joining the fight later this year with hot Leon and the Ibiza Bocanegra things are really getting exciting.
When it comes to fast, affordable drivers’ cars I don’t think we’ve ever had it so good.
Richard - DR
February 18, 2009That’s a good point, although I would expect RenaultSport’s ST equivalent to have a more hard-edged chassis than the somewhat softcore Focus. I’m looking forward to Geneva more and more…
I don’t know about you, but I’m really loving the current hot hatch revival. There are some great cars right across the power and price ranges, from the sub-150bhp class right up to these 300bhp monsters. With SEAT joining the fight later this year with hot Leon and the Ibiza Bocanegra things are really getting exciting.
When it comes to fast, affordable drivers’ cars I don’t think we’ve ever had it so good.
Pete Wadsworth
February 18, 2009The best thing about all this stuff for the paupers like me who can’t afford them at the price they are new is that all these cars (except maybe the Focus RS and Megane R26.R) will be MEGA-cheap in a few years time.
These are the future performance bargains, I think. Roll-on 2014!
Pete Wadsworth
February 18, 2009The best thing about all this stuff for the paupers like me who can’t afford them at the price they are new is that all these cars (except maybe the Focus RS and Megane R26.R) will be MEGA-cheap in a few years time.
These are the future performance bargains, I think. Roll-on 2014!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
February 18, 2009@Richard – DR -
I replyed that same thought in a portuguese forum regarding to the currently availlable hot hatches!!
These days you can see the mainstream manufacturers offering a range from “eco” to “sport”. It’s good to see, and in some cases, great to drive!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
February 18, 2009@Richard – DR -
I replyed that same thought in a portuguese forum regarding to the currently availlable hot hatches!!
These days you can see the mainstream manufacturers offering a range from “eco” to “sport”. It’s good to see, and in some cases, great to drive!
jl123
February 20, 2009I’ve just seen the pics of this car (on the CAR site) testing at the n’ring. What saddens me was looking at this new car side by side with the old. That is, the current R26 has a low waist-line and great rear visibility that allows for pin-point placement of the car on any road. I mean thats one of the greatest assets a driver can have; the capability of seeing out it in all directions- inch perfect sight lines. In a word that is a good part of what always made the ‘hot-hatch’ so special.
How many accidents are caused by drivers who can’t quite see whats around them. And now this new ‘coupe’ fine as it may be to drive- though it may very well not be, comes and we have slits for windows and about as poor visibility about the rear as can be- due to the same design as every other Nissan at the moment: a c-pillar that is a triangle pointing up faced up against a triangle facing it downward. The cheapest way to get the best rigidity.
I wish someone could build a hot hatch (well the Sti is sort of there?) built to Porsche spec, that would be something. JL
jl123
February 20, 2009I’ve just seen the pics of this car (on the CAR site) testing at the n’ring. What saddens me was looking at this new car side by side with the old. That is, the current R26 has a low waist-line and great rear visibility that allows for pin-point placement of the car on any road. I mean thats one of the greatest assets a driver can have; the capability of seeing out it in all directions- inch perfect sight lines. In a word that is a good part of what always made the ‘hot-hatch’ so special.
How many accidents are caused by drivers who can’t quite see whats around them. And now this new ‘coupe’ fine as it may be to drive- though it may very well not be, comes and we have slits for windows and about as poor visibility about the rear as can be- due to the same design as every other Nissan at the moment: a c-pillar that is a triangle pointing up faced up against a triangle facing it downward. The cheapest way to get the best rigidity.
I wish someone could build a hot hatch (well the Sti is sort of there?) built to Porsche spec, that would be something. JL
jl123
February 20, 2009Heres the link for the pics of old against new….
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Renaultsport-Megane-2009-hot-hach-the-spy-photos/?content-block=1
jl123
February 20, 2009Heres the link for the pics of old against new….
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Renaultsport-Megane-2009-hot-hach-the-spy-photos/?content-block=1
David Sandost
February 20, 2009Scirocco Mk2….
David Sandost
February 20, 2009Actually, Mk3 thinking about it!….
David Sandost
February 20, 2009Scirocco Mk2….
David Sandost
February 20, 2009Actually, Mk3 thinking about it!….
darren monk
February 20, 2009I believe the RS will not be a direct competitior to the RS Focus.The RS Megane is most likely to compete with the Focus ST,Golf GTI,Astra VRX.
In order for Renault to compete with the STI,EVO X and RS Focus it has to produce a higher performing Megane than the RS version.
darren monk
February 20, 2009I believe the RS will not be a direct competitior to the RS Focus.The RS Megane is most likely to compete with the Focus ST,Golf GTI,Astra VRX.
In order for Renault to compete with the STI,EVO X and RS Focus it has to produce a higher performing Megane than the RS version.
Poobah
February 21, 2009To be honest l’m not expecting the new RS Megane to compete with the Focus RS immediately. Looking at what Renault has always done with their performance line up, they usually opt to release the initial slightly soft introductory model and then gradually tweak, fettle and polish it into a finished hardcore performer. Looking the evolution of the 225 to Trophy to F1 to R26 to R26R l think its safe to say that this new RS Megane will only be a fairly steady benchmark from which they can build.
I’m just hoping they’ve managed to keep the kerb weight relatively low and gone any heavier. The new Focus RS is very powerful certainly, but its a bit of a porker too when you look at the stats.
Poobah
February 21, 2009To be honest l’m not expecting the new RS Megane to compete with the Focus RS immediately. Looking at what Renault has always done with their performance line up, they usually opt to release the initial slightly soft introductory model and then gradually tweak, fettle and polish it into a finished hardcore performer. Looking the evolution of the 225 to Trophy to F1 to R26 to R26R l think its safe to say that this new RS Megane will only be a fairly steady benchmark from which they can build.
I’m just hoping they’ve managed to keep the kerb weight relatively low and gone any heavier. The new Focus RS is very powerful certainly, but its a bit of a porker too when you look at the stats.
Richard - DR
February 21, 2009I’ve heard a whisper (from the inevitable ‘informed source’) that the RS motor is capable of producing ‘much more power’ thanks to a stronger block. Obviously this could all be nonsense, but it would make sense, as you’d hardly accuse Renaultsport of lacking commitment when it comes to building hardcore hatchbacks. Besides, a 250bhp Megane hardly sounds like a bad starting point, especially as it will doubtless have a more sporting chassis set-up than the excellent but soft-edged Focus ST.
If this is true then there no reason why the Megane RS won’t be followed by a full-on model at some stage. Whether it’s as foucussed as the R26.R remains to be seen.
As for weight I remember a conversation with Jean Antoine Petit, who is the head of Renaultsport’s dynamic programme, and he said that they now worked hand in hand with the factory on the design and engineering of future models, with the specific goal of achieving lighter and more rigid volume production cars.
Obviously it’s hard to gauge just how successful this partnership is, as every new generation model seems to be a bit bigger and a bit safer than the last, but at least there seems to be a sentiment that weight-saving is now a priority (if only in the quest for reduced CO2/improved fuel economy). Ironic that we could soon benefit – albeit indirectly – from the Green lobby, for as we all know, lighter cars are better to drive.
Richard - DR
February 21, 2009I’ve heard a whisper (from the inevitable ‘informed source’) that the RS motor is capable of producing ‘much more power’ thanks to a stronger block. Obviously this could all be nonsense, but it would make sense, as you’d hardly accuse Renaultsport of lacking commitment when it comes to building hardcore hatchbacks. Besides, a 250bhp Megane hardly sounds like a bad starting point, especially as it will doubtless have a more sporting chassis set-up than the excellent but soft-edged Focus ST.
If this is true then there no reason why the Megane RS won’t be followed by a full-on model at some stage. Whether it’s as foucussed as the R26.R remains to be seen.
As for weight I remember a conversation with Jean Antoine Petit, who is the head of Renaultsport’s dynamic programme, and he said that they now worked hand in hand with the factory on the design and engineering of future models, with the specific goal of achieving lighter and more rigid volume production cars.
Obviously it’s hard to gauge just how successful this partnership is, as every new generation model seems to be a bit bigger and a bit safer than the last, but at least there seems to be a sentiment that weight-saving is now a priority (if only in the quest for reduced CO2/improved fuel economy). Ironic that we could soon benefit – albeit indirectly – from the Green lobby, for as we all know, lighter cars are better to drive.
JethroBovingdon
February 21, 2009I’ve been told that RenaultSport have gone straight for the kill this time – in fact the simple truth is that the more hardcore they go, the more units they sell (for example the early 225 sold very modestly, but the subsequent Trophy, Cup and R26 models got more and more popular with every evolution – clearly the mental R26.R is outside of this equation!). It will have a diff, it will be a ‘step on’ from the R26… and I reckon it could be closer to the Focus RS in terms of real world pace than Ford would feel comfortable with. Time will tell.
JethroBovingdon
February 21, 2009I’ve been told that RenaultSport have gone straight for the kill this time – in fact the simple truth is that the more hardcore they go, the more units they sell (for example the early 225 sold very modestly, but the subsequent Trophy, Cup and R26 models got more and more popular with every evolution – clearly the mental R26.R is outside of this equation!). It will have a diff, it will be a ‘step on’ from the R26… and I reckon it could be closer to the Focus RS in terms of real world pace than Ford would feel comfortable with. Time will tell.
will_968
February 23, 2009If hot hatches go the way of German Uber Saloons and start a power battle, then the more hardcore car enthusiasts with the more refined palette for finer things in the motoring world, will loose out.
We all know we can’t really deploy the abilities of a 300bhp car on the road much more than a 250bhp car in anything other than a straight line blast between traffic lights. If we’re into “willy waving” then perhaps you need the extra inches the additional 50bhp gives you, but if not, I don’t think more power adds much to the game.
And I don’t buy into an idea that either of these cars are really for track days either. Sure – some will do one or two days, but this isn’t what you buy it track days are your thing. However, based upon the manufacturers recent form, my expectation is that the less potent Megane to be quicker around most circuits than for Focus.
However, both the above points are purely academic. The power output that the top tier Megane will have has more to do with marketing than driving. Hence we can be confident that Renault’s plan is not to send it’s best effort out into the school yard with only 6″, when all the other boys have 7″. Even if the other boys don’t know how to use theirs properly.
will_968
February 23, 2009If hot hatches go the way of German Uber Saloons and start a power battle, then the more hardcore car enthusiasts with the more refined palette for finer things in the motoring world, will loose out.
We all know we can’t really deploy the abilities of a 300bhp car on the road much more than a 250bhp car in anything other than a straight line blast between traffic lights. If we’re into “willy waving” then perhaps you need the extra inches the additional 50bhp gives you, but if not, I don’t think more power adds much to the game.
And I don’t buy into an idea that either of these cars are really for track days either. Sure – some will do one or two days, but this isn’t what you buy it track days are your thing. However, based upon the manufacturers recent form, my expectation is that the less potent Megane to be quicker around most circuits than for Focus.
However, both the above points are purely academic. The power output that the top tier Megane will have has more to do with marketing than driving. Hence we can be confident that Renault’s plan is not to send it’s best effort out into the school yard with only 6″, when all the other boys have 7″. Even if the other boys don’t know how to use theirs properly.
Steve
February 23, 2009@will_968 – Very well said. Up until recently my very favourite hot hatch was the Clio Cup 197 and that feels relatively flacid in terms of engine performance, the Megane R26.R pipped the Clio Cup (just), but with such recent provenance (and hearing from Steve Marvin how much time Renault have spent developing this new Megane RS) I’m expecting this new Renaultsport to be a cracker.
Steve
February 23, 2009@will_968 – Very well said. Up until recently my very favourite hot hatch was the Clio Cup 197 and that feels relatively flacid in terms of engine performance, the Megane R26.R pipped the Clio Cup (just), but with such recent provenance (and hearing from Steve Marvin how much time Renault have spent developing this new Megane RS) I’m expecting this new Renaultsport to be a cracker.
Djivy
February 24, 2009Pics (from a session at Paul Ricard) & info (apparently from the badly protected teaser-website) have surfaced.
http://drivr.be/2009/02/24/alle-details-renault-megane-iii-rs/
Sadly the info is in French (which I’ve translated to Dutch), but it boils down to this:
- 250bhp & 340Nm
- well-known Cup-Chassis option (at least in France & Belgium) which also adds a limited-slip diff
- choice of 18 & 19-inch wheels
- 340mm Brembos up front
- analogue clocks in stead of the digital speed-readout of the standard Mégane
- and something Renault calls the Renault Sport Display which monitors vital engine-components and doubles as a sort of driftbox with lap-timer etc.
Moreover, it could give drivers the possibility to somehow tune the dynamics of their car to the weather and surface etc.
At least that’s what one surfer was able to copy from the Mégane RS website which was unprotected for a certain time.
JUST ONE QUESTION LEFT: will Renault add 4WS to the Mégane RS at some stage?
(PS: Sorry about the wrong weight-indictaion on the Twingo RS a couple of months ago. Renault Benelux seem to quote weight with fluids and some fuel in it because of some convention. Still have to get to the bottom of it, but that’s where the 1145kgs came from. Hope I’ve got my facts right this time;)
Djivy
February 24, 2009Pics (from a session at Paul Ricard) & info (apparently from the badly protected teaser-website) have surfaced.
http://drivr.be/2009/02/24/alle-details-renault-megane-iii-rs/
Sadly the info is in French (which I’ve translated to Dutch), but it boils down to this:
- 250bhp & 340Nm
- well-known Cup-Chassis option (at least in France & Belgium) which also adds a limited-slip diff
- choice of 18 & 19-inch wheels
- 340mm Brembos up front
- analogue clocks in stead of the digital speed-readout of the standard Mégane
- and something Renault calls the Renault Sport Display which monitors vital engine-components and doubles as a sort of driftbox with lap-timer etc.
Moreover, it could give drivers the possibility to somehow tune the dynamics of their car to the weather and surface etc.
At least that’s what one surfer was able to copy from the Mégane RS website which was unprotected for a certain time.
JUST ONE QUESTION LEFT: will Renault add 4WS to the Mégane RS at some stage?
(PS: Sorry about the wrong weight-indictaion on the Twingo RS a couple of months ago. Renault Benelux seem to quote weight with fluids and some fuel in it because of some convention. Still have to get to the bottom of it, but that’s where the 1145kgs came from. Hope I’ve got my facts right this time;)
Clio 172
February 26, 2009It looks a lot more slippery than the current car. I wonder if they will implement any of the technology from the Clio 197 on this version? Would be interesting to see if they use a flat floor & venturi, as well as the arch venting. I am especially interested to see if they start to duct the braking system better.
/y0z
Clio 172
February 26, 2009It looks a lot more slippery than the current car. I wonder if they will implement any of the technology from the Clio 197 on this version? Would be interesting to see if they use a flat floor & venturi, as well as the arch venting. I am especially interested to see if they start to duct the braking system better.
/y0z