28.05.2009
Ford’s new Focus RS is the hot-hatch of the moment, 300+ bhp through its front wheels and a passing resemblance to the WRC Focus that Mikko Hirvonen drives. So it’s the king of the hill, right? Well let’s just see how it fares when compared with the much loved and absurdly talented Renaultsport Megane R26.R.
Plug in our trusty telemetry devices, bolt on the cameras and now let’s see which is quickest around Silverstone’s GP circuit.
Watch the video on DR TV.
Click the image below:
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68 Comments
Ragnotti
May 28, 2009WoW; R26-R it´s the best hot hatch ever.
Ragnotti
May 28, 2009WoW; R26-R it´s the best hot hatch ever.
Jack Wood
May 28, 2009Nice video.
Very nice of them to put some cones out to show you the way around, Jethro.
Is the rev limiter set very low in the Megane? You were clattering into it at every up-shift, or at least that’s what it sounded like as Darthe Vader gagged just before you changed gear!!
How many hot laps did you get out of the RS to set the 2:22 time compared to the R26.R? Could you have made more time on both, or was the RS as good as it was going to get?
Jack Wood
May 28, 2009Nice video.
Very nice of them to put some cones out to show you the way around, Jethro.
Is the rev limiter set very low in the Megane? You were clattering into it at every up-shift, or at least that’s what it sounded like as Darthe Vader gagged just before you changed gear!!
How many hot laps did you get out of the RS to set the 2:22 time compared to the R26.R? Could you have made more time on both, or was the RS as good as it was going to get?
JethroBovingdon
May 28, 2009The RS did 3 quick laps – all within 2 or 3/10ths of each other I think. Without the cones and with the option of using more kerb it’d go a bit quicker, but it does use its tyres so you only get 3 laps at full speed, I reckon.
The R26.R was frustrating! Kept getting traffic and then just one clear lap, and with a slightly compromised start leading onto the pit straight. It’d go quicker, definitely, And not hitting the limiter quite as much would help! Funny, always seems to happen on that car… something to do with that odd exhaust note disguising the rising revs maybe? Or I just need more practice… probably the latter!
JethroBovingdon
May 28, 2009The RS did 3 quick laps – all within 2 or 3/10ths of each other I think. Without the cones and with the option of using more kerb it’d go a bit quicker, but it does use its tyres so you only get 3 laps at full speed, I reckon.
The R26.R was frustrating! Kept getting traffic and then just one clear lap, and with a slightly compromised start leading onto the pit straight. It’d go quicker, definitely, And not hitting the limiter quite as much would help! Funny, always seems to happen on that car… something to do with that odd exhaust note disguising the rising revs maybe? Or I just need more practice… probably the latter!
Jack Wood
May 28, 2009Well from the videos it sounds like the induction noise overpowers the exhaust, and the induction noise is flat. It doesn’t rise in pitch or tone with the revs like an exhaust note does.
So maybe we’ll let you off that one, lol.
Just wap the cones next time. Chris doesn’t seem to have a problem with doing that in his vids
Not your cars, right?
Jack Wood
May 28, 2009Well from the videos it sounds like the induction noise overpowers the exhaust, and the induction noise is flat. It doesn’t rise in pitch or tone with the revs like an exhaust note does.
So maybe we’ll let you off that one, lol.
Just wap the cones next time. Chris doesn’t seem to have a problem with doing that in his vids
Not your cars, right?
Mark McTavish
May 28, 2009Tyres are bound to have a large effect on the outcome…would be interesting to see the RS on similar rubber to address the balance. Likewise it’d be interesting to see the Megane with 202bhp/tonne as in the Focus RS, A relatively cheap remap would no doubt unleash a few extra ponies making the Megane even more potent. Standard vs. standard I’m pleased to see the light weight car win. You only have to look at the dash board in each car during the video to get an idea that the Megane is paired down, that big hulk of silver media in the RS needs replaced with a single DIN CD player!
I’m quite excited to see what Renault will do with the new shape Megane. More power than the out going model and scope for similar kerb weight should they make another feather weight version…Ford will be playing catch up!
I was going to say playing catch up is something Honda should be considering. I just watched the FD2 Civic Type R lapping Silverstone again, 2.22.6 is not bad at all considering it’s quite a large vehicle and has ‘only’ ~240bhp and a thin spread of torque…in fact when you compare it to the Focus RS’ time it makes the Focus seem a lot less impressive! If Honda shed a few more kg’s (ahhh the glory days of the EK9 and DC2) and offered something more akin to the Mugen RR from the factory, then the Focus might be put firmly in the back seat! ….4 doors as well….food for thought.
Mark McTavish
May 28, 2009Tyres are bound to have a large effect on the outcome…would be interesting to see the RS on similar rubber to address the balance. Likewise it’d be interesting to see the Megane with 202bhp/tonne as in the Focus RS, A relatively cheap remap would no doubt unleash a few extra ponies making the Megane even more potent. Standard vs. standard I’m pleased to see the light weight car win. You only have to look at the dash board in each car during the video to get an idea that the Megane is paired down, that big hulk of silver media in the RS needs replaced with a single DIN CD player!
I’m quite excited to see what Renault will do with the new shape Megane. More power than the out going model and scope for similar kerb weight should they make another feather weight version…Ford will be playing catch up!
I was going to say playing catch up is something Honda should be considering. I just watched the FD2 Civic Type R lapping Silverstone again, 2.22.6 is not bad at all considering it’s quite a large vehicle and has ‘only’ ~240bhp and a thin spread of torque…in fact when you compare it to the Focus RS’ time it makes the Focus seem a lot less impressive! If Honda shed a few more kg’s (ahhh the glory days of the EK9 and DC2) and offered something more akin to the Mugen RR from the factory, then the Focus might be put firmly in the back seat! ….4 doors as well….food for thought.
JethroBovingdon
May 29, 2009Yep the Civic’s time is impressive. That too has very good tyres for track work. Shouldn’t take too much away from the RS. It’s a great road car and very, very entertaining on the circuit. I’ve never driven a more oversteery front-driver – a good thing! It only feels compromised when you’re going for a time, something that you shouldn’t and wouldn’t really do on a trackday. I was a bit of an RS cynic, but it’s definitely won me over. The R26.R is the hot hatch for track work, though… Funnily enough Dickie hadn’t driven the Megane before and absolutely loved it. We’re working out how a four-way ownership split might work!
JethroBovingdon
May 29, 2009Yep the Civic’s time is impressive. That too has very good tyres for track work. Shouldn’t take too much away from the RS. It’s a great road car and very, very entertaining on the circuit. I’ve never driven a more oversteery front-driver – a good thing! It only feels compromised when you’re going for a time, something that you shouldn’t and wouldn’t really do on a trackday. I was a bit of an RS cynic, but it’s definitely won me over. The R26.R is the hot hatch for track work, though… Funnily enough Dickie hadn’t driven the Megane before and absolutely loved it. We’re working out how a four-way ownership split might work!
Richard - DR
May 29, 2009Jethro’s right: I loved the Megane. I really enjoyed the RS too, but when you jump from the Ford to the Renault the sense of reduced mass is quite amazing. I also like the fact that you can drive the Megane really hard without any appreciable deterioration in the feel of the car. Brakes and tyres all feel as fresh after 4 or 5 laps as they do at the beginning. The Focus’s brakes are strong, but it relies so much on the tyres to disguise its relative bulk that they were utterly rooted by the end of our shoot. As we’d only done half a dozen quick laps plus another handful of 8/10ths laps for car-to-car video that’s quite a wear rate. When we get our long termer we’ll bung on a set of trackday rubber and see how it feels.
Richard - DR
May 29, 2009Jethro’s right: I loved the Megane. I really enjoyed the RS too, but when you jump from the Ford to the Renault the sense of reduced mass is quite amazing. I also like the fact that you can drive the Megane really hard without any appreciable deterioration in the feel of the car. Brakes and tyres all feel as fresh after 4 or 5 laps as they do at the beginning. The Focus’s brakes are strong, but it relies so much on the tyres to disguise its relative bulk that they were utterly rooted by the end of our shoot. As we’d only done half a dozen quick laps plus another handful of 8/10ths laps for car-to-car video that’s quite a wear rate. When we get our long termer we’ll bung on a set of trackday rubber and see how it feels.
Neville Contractor
May 29, 2009Interesting that Silverstone should suit the more powerful car, but I guess the Megane can carry so much more speed into and through corners that it’s already travelling faster by the exit.
Both looked fun though, the Megane for its precision speed around the circuit and the Focus for its oversteering antics.
Would love to see how the times compared at Knockhill!
Neville Contractor
May 29, 2009Interesting that Silverstone should suit the more powerful car, but I guess the Megane can carry so much more speed into and through corners that it’s already travelling faster by the exit.
Both looked fun though, the Megane for its precision speed around the circuit and the Focus for its oversteering antics.
Would love to see how the times compared at Knockhill!
jeremy
May 29, 2009Maybe this is a self-apparent question, but but….
Ever since I read Chris’s test about the winning RS I’ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.- AND wondering just why it won that test in Monte!!!
As the RS is apparently not a born track car, maybe you guys could drive it around regular roads?
Still remembering Jost’s words as the car was launched; “I believe front wheel drive makes for a better/more fun handling car than 4wd”….?
jeremy
May 29, 2009Maybe this is a self-apparent question, but but….
Ever since I read Chris’s test about the winning RS I’ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.- AND wondering just why it won that test in Monte!!!
As the RS is apparently not a born track car, maybe you guys could drive it around regular roads?
Still remembering Jost’s words as the car was launched; “I believe front wheel drive makes for a better/more fun handling car than 4wd”….?
jeremy
June 1, 2009“I’ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.
Wow, Insulting. Not even an answer, not a word from the team. No enthutisam to test these cars on road?
Why is that?
jeremy
June 1, 2009“I’ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.
Wow, Insulting. Not even an answer, not a word from the team. No enthutisam to test these cars on road?
Why is that?
JethroBovingdon
June 1, 2009The test on the road has been done – back when the RS was launched. Chris came down on the side of the RS, by a whisker. I suspect we’ll re-run the test in the UK at some point (no fixed dates as yet) and see if our peculiar roads change the result.
I drove them briefly back-to-back on the road on the day of the Silverstone video… and they’re pretty evenly matched. The Focus is a more indulgent car – it loves to slide even on the road, it eats straights more greedily than the Megane. But the Renault counters with more corner speed, better traction (the diff really hooks you into an apex, whereas the more powerful RS seems to understeer more suddenly when the full 300bhp hits) and an almost GT3-like sense of occasion. Both are terrific.
We get a FRS this week and I’ll do my best to get an R26.R for a more extensive UK road test in the near future.
JethroBovingdon
June 1, 2009The test on the road has been done – back when the RS was launched. Chris came down on the side of the RS, by a whisker. I suspect we’ll re-run the test in the UK at some point (no fixed dates as yet) and see if our peculiar roads change the result.
I drove them briefly back-to-back on the road on the day of the Silverstone video… and they’re pretty evenly matched. The Focus is a more indulgent car – it loves to slide even on the road, it eats straights more greedily than the Megane. But the Renault counters with more corner speed, better traction (the diff really hooks you into an apex, whereas the more powerful RS seems to understeer more suddenly when the full 300bhp hits) and an almost GT3-like sense of occasion. Both are terrific.
We get a FRS this week and I’ll do my best to get an R26.R for a more extensive UK road test in the near future.
jeremy
June 1, 2009“We get a FRS this week and I’ll do my best to get an R26.R for a more extensive UK road test in the near future. ”
THANK YOU. The only UK based comparison test that I’ve seen is Autocar’s comparison with a GT_R which I thought was done quite poorly. They hammered on about how the GT-R could not pull away from the RS due to its traction control stopping it, and when asked if they tried turning it off…no reply.
Indeed I think the RS was developed on UK roads and someone, alas!! it would seem (DR) will do such a test. Great.
I think theres more to the handling puzzle here….I think many would like to know how the RS shapes up as an all around drive- day to day on varying roads and in the wet…The RS a road car really- based on all track tests (excepting for the road course at Ford) its done not so well.
We know that on bumpy roads the R26R is prone to getting quite a bit of air, whereas the RS is more firmly planted- on less than smooth roads with sheep and walls on the other side (as Chris has pointed put many times- in his very good Hatch test) would a R26 with slicks and not so much wheel travel really be able to cope? I’m still siding with Chris on this, and indeed I do not agree with MD Davies that its because Chris likes a nice riding car. I think it really about pure chassis ability.
Also, I have heard from numerous owners and read twice in evo that the R26R really does not like standing water and can get quite heart-in-the-mouth in such situations…as such maybe you could test the R26R with its optional all weather tires? Indeed I think its unfair in in that respect as the RS has no slicks.
Anyway it would be nice to see certain basic parameters covered like,
a. Progression and Predictability on limit wet vs dry- like Richard likes to write about – note Richard’s Mitsubishi Evo X test where he talked about the Evo’s unpredictability- great work there Rich.
b. Ability to handle/place car on tight roads- like Chris wrote
c. Wheel travel and ability to cope vs RS on its UK designed home turf. I mean fords track was modeled after uk roads.
d. Steering feel does the RS have any? Evo (vivian said no)
e. the issue of torque steer and traction in the real! wet-(as opposed to damp sections) This is a HUGE question which no-one has covered about the RS-AND I don’t know why? Jost says its just as good as 4wd in this regard–and I think there are tens of thousands of us who seriously doubt him! Indeed if you test this it will be a world first. I think bringing along some sort of 4wd car (sti or prodrive sti) would also be epic as we could finally see if what Chris wrote in his Hatch test applies to the RS as he applied it to the Sti! Can Fwd really match the traction and all road ability of 4wd?
looking forward to it, and NOTE- if you did a video of it the RS vs R26R vs Sti I think it would be a hit on youtube! We all are dying to see such a thing. thank YOU, jeth-ro, insult reversed. JL
jeremy
June 1, 2009“We get a FRS this week and I’ll do my best to get an R26.R for a more extensive UK road test in the near future. ”
THANK YOU. The only UK based comparison test that I’ve seen is Autocar’s comparison with a GT_R which I thought was done quite poorly. They hammered on about how the GT-R could not pull away from the RS due to its traction control stopping it, and when asked if they tried turning it off…no reply.
Indeed I think the RS was developed on UK roads and someone, alas!! it would seem (DR) will do such a test. Great.
I think theres more to the handling puzzle here….I think many would like to know how the RS shapes up as an all around drive- day to day on varying roads and in the wet…The RS a road car really- based on all track tests (excepting for the road course at Ford) its done not so well.
We know that on bumpy roads the R26R is prone to getting quite a bit of air, whereas the RS is more firmly planted- on less than smooth roads with sheep and walls on the other side (as Chris has pointed put many times- in his very good Hatch test) would a R26 with slicks and not so much wheel travel really be able to cope? I’m still siding with Chris on this, and indeed I do not agree with MD Davies that its because Chris likes a nice riding car. I think it really about pure chassis ability.
Also, I have heard from numerous owners and read twice in evo that the R26R really does not like standing water and can get quite heart-in-the-mouth in such situations…as such maybe you could test the R26R with its optional all weather tires? Indeed I think its unfair in in that respect as the RS has no slicks.
Anyway it would be nice to see certain basic parameters covered like,
a. Progression and Predictability on limit wet vs dry- like Richard likes to write about – note Richard’s Mitsubishi Evo X test where he talked about the Evo’s unpredictability- great work there Rich.
b. Ability to handle/place car on tight roads- like Chris wrote
c. Wheel travel and ability to cope vs RS on its UK designed home turf. I mean fords track was modeled after uk roads.
d. Steering feel does the RS have any? Evo (vivian said no)
e. the issue of torque steer and traction in the real! wet-(as opposed to damp sections) This is a HUGE question which no-one has covered about the RS-AND I don’t know why? Jost says its just as good as 4wd in this regard–and I think there are tens of thousands of us who seriously doubt him! Indeed if you test this it will be a world first. I think bringing along some sort of 4wd car (sti or prodrive sti) would also be epic as we could finally see if what Chris wrote in his Hatch test applies to the RS as he applied it to the Sti! Can Fwd really match the traction and all road ability of 4wd?
looking forward to it, and NOTE- if you did a video of it the RS vs R26R vs Sti I think it would be a hit on youtube! We all are dying to see such a thing. thank YOU, jeth-ro, insult reversed. JL
JackWood
June 2, 2009Originally Posted By jeremy”Iâ��ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.
Wow, Insulting. Not even an answer, not a word from the team. No enthutisam to test these cars on road?
Why is that?
You posted at 10 minutes to 5 on a Friday aftenoon and wonder why you haven’t got a response by Monday?? Come on. And maybe they didn’t feel the need to justify an answer to a question when you were even QUOTING the road test they did in glorious technicolour for you the month before!!
JackWood
June 2, 2009Originally Posted By jeremy”Iâ��ve been dying to see
how the Megane and RS compare on-road.
Wow, Insulting. Not even an answer, not a word from the team. No enthutisam to test these cars on road?
Why is that?
You posted at 10 minutes to 5 on a Friday aftenoon and wonder why you haven’t got a response by Monday?? Come on. And maybe they didn’t feel the need to justify an answer to a question when you were even QUOTING the road test they did in glorious technicolour for you the month before!!
jeremy
June 2, 2009@JackWood -
Apologies to all for not giving it more time. However I’ve seen plenty of times when peoples direct questions are not answered at all.
And the Video from Monte was three months ago.
At every car enthusiast site I go to all people talk about is the RS. Everyone wants to know how it drives on an everyday basis through all roads and all conditions. They want to know if its truly an all day all weather car; and NO one has explored this beyond Monte Carlo. The cars are in the UK and they should be driven like they were designed to be. Everyone still waits a complete test, JL
jeremy
June 2, 2009@JackWood -
Apologies to all for not giving it more time. However I’ve seen plenty of times when peoples direct questions are not answered at all.
And the Video from Monte was three months ago.
At every car enthusiast site I go to all people talk about is the RS. Everyone wants to know how it drives on an everyday basis through all roads and all conditions. They want to know if its truly an all day all weather car; and NO one has explored this beyond Monte Carlo. The cars are in the UK and they should be driven like they were designed to be. Everyone still waits a complete test, JL
Mark McTavish
June 5, 2009Sounds like you want more of a scientific experiment than a road test. I’m not sure it warranted as the two cars, in my eyes at least, are marketed towards different buyers. Only die hard fans will settle with the compromises imposed on the R26.R.
You mentioned wheel travel a couple of times, I don’t think the Megane has any issues in this department given that the springs have been softened in response to the decrease in weight.
Putting the Megane on ‘regular’ road tyres would still provide you with an excellent car, the R26 is well revered, I can’t see the R26.R being anything other than better. Looking at it’s performance day-to-day is almost irrelevant.
It’d be interesting to compare STi/Evo/RS though, no doubt about that.
Mark McTavish
June 5, 2009Sounds like you want more of a scientific experiment than a road test. I’m not sure it warranted as the two cars, in my eyes at least, are marketed towards different buyers. Only die hard fans will settle with the compromises imposed on the R26.R.
You mentioned wheel travel a couple of times, I don’t think the Megane has any issues in this department given that the springs have been softened in response to the decrease in weight.
Putting the Megane on ‘regular’ road tyres would still provide you with an excellent car, the R26 is well revered, I can’t see the R26.R being anything other than better. Looking at it’s performance day-to-day is almost irrelevant.
It’d be interesting to compare STi/Evo/RS though, no doubt about that.
jeremy
June 5, 2009I believe the RS will do some things better than the R26r, for instance in conditions like Lotus used for their evora launch. Anyway…
Lets us leave it that we both would like to see a real world UK test of an RS- which no one has done yet. jl
jeremy
June 5, 2009I believe the RS will do some things better than the R26r, for instance in conditions like Lotus used for their evora launch. Anyway…
Lets us leave it that we both would like to see a real world UK test of an RS- which no one has done yet. jl
Notorious M.W.B
June 6, 2009This goes out to those who feel adoration for cars should not be hijacked by geeks with adenoidal issues…
Yo Jeremy,
You think your comments are valid and damn essential,
From horsepower, traction to quaife differentials,
They’re much too long, you can’t be busy,
And I’m about to break you down like my homeboy Dizzee…
Focus RS or hot Megane?
You probably couldn’t handle a Renault Safrane,
Your knowledge has come at huge expense,
When you open your mouth there go your friends,
Moaning and crying at a lack of discussion,
When you diss DR there are some repercussions,
Get gloved-up and grab your helmet,
But stay off the track, watch Tipping the Velvet,
Your essay included ‘Progression and predictability’,
Lay off the PC and shed your virginity,
This rhyme could go on, there’s too much material,
Now head to your garage and polish your Pluriel.
Word up
Notorious M.W.B
June 6, 2009This goes out to those who feel adoration for cars should not be hijacked by geeks with adenoidal issues…
Yo Jeremy,
You think your comments are valid and damn essential,
From horsepower, traction to quaife differentials,
They’re much too long, you can’t be busy,
And I’m about to break you down like my homeboy Dizzee…
Focus RS or hot Megane?
You probably couldn’t handle a Renault Safrane,
Your knowledge has come at huge expense,
When you open your mouth there go your friends,
Moaning and crying at a lack of discussion,
When you diss DR there are some repercussions,
Get gloved-up and grab your helmet,
But stay off the track, watch Tipping the Velvet,
Your essay included ‘Progression and predictability’,
Lay off the PC and shed your virginity,
This rhyme could go on, there’s too much material,
Now head to your garage and polish your Pluriel.
Word up
jeremy
June 6, 2009“When you diss DR there are some repercussions,”
What do you have in mind? JL
jeremy
June 6, 2009“When you diss DR there are some repercussions,”
What do you have in mind? JL
apex twin
June 6, 2009So.
Despite the RS gaining an honours degree in chav from the University of Questionable Car Design, and a PhD for FWD Power Transference, it just spunks all its power up the nearest available wall. In the meantime, the boys from RenaultSport sprinkle a little of their mass-reduction magic dust over the R26, and watch it dance a Dieppe jig over Dagenham.
Just as I suspected.
apex twin
June 6, 2009So.
Despite the RS gaining an honours degree in chav from the University of Questionable Car Design, and a PhD for FWD Power Transference, it just spunks all its power up the nearest available wall. In the meantime, the boys from RenaultSport sprinkle a little of their mass-reduction magic dust over the R26, and watch it dance a Dieppe jig over Dagenham.
Just as I suspected.
JethroBovingdon
June 7, 2009@apex twin – Not quite as clear cut as that! The Focus RS – love or hate its styling – is great fun on track and very quick and enjoyable on the road. It certainly doesn’t waste its power… but it is hobbled on track in relation to the Megane due to its extra mass. Both cars are brilliant fun, both cars are from mainstream manufacturers who are willing to put their enthusiasm and engineering ingenuity above concerns from bean counters and outside political pressures – so I reckon we should celebrate them both.
JethroBovingdon
June 7, 2009@apex twin – Not quite as clear cut as that! The Focus RS – love or hate its styling – is great fun on track and very quick and enjoyable on the road. It certainly doesn’t waste its power… but it is hobbled on track in relation to the Megane due to its extra mass. Both cars are brilliant fun, both cars are from mainstream manufacturers who are willing to put their enthusiasm and engineering ingenuity above concerns from bean counters and outside political pressures – so I reckon we should celebrate them both.
md
June 7, 2009It’s MIKKO Hirvonen, not MIKA!
md
June 7, 2009It’s MIKKO Hirvonen, not MIKA!
Steve
June 7, 2009Originally Posted By mdIt’s MIKKO Hirvonen, not MIKA!
You’re quite right – my bad! (now corrected)
Steve
June 7, 2009Originally Posted By mdIt’s MIKKO Hirvonen, not MIKA!
You’re quite right – my bad! (now corrected)
jeremy
June 7, 2009I think Jethro’s right. The RS has got skills….
People should also note that the RS lapped Fords test track faster than its own GT which had 550 hp and actually weighed less.
I predict the RS will have some attributes that people haven’t quite realized yet, like as Jethro calls it a slo-mo “matrix” sliding where the car although it may slide sooner than some… can be held and adjusted mid corner –on bumps or in rain. I think it may be more like its 4wd cousins (sti, evo x) than the R26 is.
And in some ways better the the 4wd’ers as it seems to have better steering and body control/poise- more like a old school P1. My only question is, was Jost doing a bit too much marketing than truth telling in his lead up to the launch– “revo makes 4wd not necessary? Eventually we’ll see.
jeremy
June 7, 2009I think Jethro’s right. The RS has got skills….
People should also note that the RS lapped Fords test track faster than its own GT which had 550 hp and actually weighed less.
I predict the RS will have some attributes that people haven’t quite realized yet, like as Jethro calls it a slo-mo “matrix” sliding where the car although it may slide sooner than some… can be held and adjusted mid corner –on bumps or in rain. I think it may be more like its 4wd cousins (sti, evo x) than the R26 is.
And in some ways better the the 4wd’ers as it seems to have better steering and body control/poise- more like a old school P1. My only question is, was Jost doing a bit too much marketing than truth telling in his lead up to the launch– “revo makes 4wd not necessary? Eventually we’ll see.
Björn
June 8, 2009Well, the Mégane is an outstanding hatch, no discussion needed. But i would expect any hatch with around 200bhp and semi slick tires (Toyo R888 here) to be quicker than the RS around silverstone. I guess the RS on R888´s would have beaten the Mégane clearly.
Regards,
Björn.
Björn
June 8, 2009Well, the Mégane is an outstanding hatch, no discussion needed. But i would expect any hatch with around 200bhp and semi slick tires (Toyo R888 here) to be quicker than the RS around silverstone. I guess the RS on R888´s would have beaten the Mégane clearly.
Regards,
Björn.
Scotty
June 8, 2009jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evo’s)
In said old EVO I noticed Jethro was an F1 cynic as well? When a truly remarkable car comes out F1, Veyron. GT-R etc. do you get sick of the constant eulogising and start harbouring unfavourable sentiment towards said car?
I really like the idea of the Focus, I wish it was a bit lighter but as all new cars are afflicted by the same problem its hardly fair to single out the RS. Perhaps in person its different but that Megane exhaust noise gives me the shits! Sounds like its got a busted exhaust manifold or something. The Focus on the other hand produces the aural equivalent of Angelina Jolie coated in honey.
Scotty
June 8, 2009jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evo’s)
In said old EVO I noticed Jethro was an F1 cynic as well? When a truly remarkable car comes out F1, Veyron. GT-R etc. do you get sick of the constant eulogising and start harbouring unfavourable sentiment towards said car?
I really like the idea of the Focus, I wish it was a bit lighter but as all new cars are afflicted by the same problem its hardly fair to single out the RS. Perhaps in person its different but that Megane exhaust noise gives me the shits! Sounds like its got a busted exhaust manifold or something. The Focus on the other hand produces the aural equivalent of Angelina Jolie coated in honey.
JethroBovingdon
June 8, 2009Well the F1 does have some seriously sycophantic stuff heaped upon it… but it is some car. I was cynical about the RS because the whole world goes mad when an RS is launched… and I never really enjoyed the old one.
JethroBovingdon
June 8, 2009Well the F1 does have some seriously sycophantic stuff heaped upon it… but it is some car. I was cynical about the RS because the whole world goes mad when an RS is launched… and I never really enjoyed the old one.
jeremy
June 8, 2009“jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evo’s)”
No. But I read about that too. Wonder if that guy wasn’t in league with the side that left evo? I read somewhere that apparently he got himself in the middle of barker’s and meaden’s apparent differences- to the point of a personal confrontation between the “stalker” and Metcafe? Plenty of behind the scenes stuff at evo I think.
jeremy
June 8, 2009“jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evo’s)”
No. But I read about that too. Wonder if that guy wasn’t in league with the side that left evo? I read somewhere that apparently he got himself in the middle of barker’s and meaden’s apparent differences- to the point of a personal confrontation between the “stalker” and Metcafe? Plenty of behind the scenes stuff at evo I think.
Guy
June 8, 2009If I had read DR in high school I probably would of gotten a 100 points higher on my SAT’s. Even the definition of Sycophantic required me to look up one of it’s defining words (obsequiously)! Love you guys!
Guy
June 8, 2009If I had read DR in high school I probably would of gotten a 100 points higher on my SAT’s. Even the definition of Sycophantic required me to look up one of it’s defining words (obsequiously)! Love you guys!
Mrs M
June 9, 2009Originally Posted By jeremy”jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evoâ��s)”
No. But I read about that too. Wonder if that guy wasn’t in league with the side that left evo? I read somewhere that apparently he got himself in the middle of barker’s and meaden’s apparent differences- to the point of a personal confrontation between the “stalker” and Metcafe? Plenty of behind the scenes stuff at evo I think.
You’re a strange man Jerry… Who are you today then?
Mrs M
June 9, 2009Originally Posted By jeremy”jeremy=Jerry Lieberman mk II?? (been reading old Evoâ��s)”
No. But I read about that too. Wonder if that guy wasn’t in league with the side that left evo? I read somewhere that apparently he got himself in the middle of barker’s and meaden’s apparent differences- to the point of a personal confrontation between the “stalker” and Metcafe? Plenty of behind the scenes stuff at evo I think.
You’re a strange man Jerry… Who are you today then?
Stig
June 9, 2009Apparently on a timed lap around Anglesey Circuit, the Focus RS lapped in 1m22.9s (Needell), with some evidence of understeer, while an Evo X FQ-300 recorded a time of 1m21.9s (Plato)…
…so Plato must be quicker!
Stig
June 9, 2009Apparently on a timed lap around Anglesey Circuit, the Focus RS lapped in 1m22.9s (Needell), with some evidence of understeer, while an Evo X FQ-300 recorded a time of 1m21.9s (Plato)…
…so Plato must be quicker!
Pete Wadsworth
June 9, 2009There’s a disturbing lack of ‘lollage’ for that poem.
Might be the best comment ever written on the intertubes. Well done Notorious.
Pete Wadsworth
June 9, 2009There’s a disturbing lack of ‘lollage’ for that poem.
Might be the best comment ever written on the intertubes. Well done Notorious.
Mark McTavish
July 14, 2009Pleased to see Hammond on TG was as affronted by the Focuses in car entertainment system as I was : )
Mark McTavish
July 14, 2009Pleased to see Hammond on TG was as affronted by the Focuses in car entertainment system as I was : )
Jonathan Prestidge
July 14, 2009Originally Posted By BjörnWell, the Mégane is an outstanding hatch, no discussion needed. But i would expect any hatch with around 200bhp and semi slick tires (Toyo R888 here) to be quicker than the RS around silverstone. I guess the RS on R888´s would have beaten the Mégane clearly.
Regards,
Björn.
List 1b tyres, like the R888, are worth about 2-3 seconds per lap at somewhere like Silverstone.
I have to say that I really don’t understand the appeal of the R26R; it has all of the impracticality of a track-orientated car, like the Exige, but with more weight and FWD. No doubt it’s quick for what it is, but then so is the R26 that a guy from my motor club has fitted with better suspension, a remap and list 1b tyres for considerably less money.
JP
Jonathan Prestidge
July 14, 2009Originally Posted By BjörnWell, the Mégane is an outstanding hatch, no discussion needed. But i would expect any hatch with around 200bhp and semi slick tires (Toyo R888 here) to be quicker than the RS around silverstone. I guess the RS on R888´s would have beaten the Mégane clearly.
Regards,
Björn.
List 1b tyres, like the R888, are worth about 2-3 seconds per lap at somewhere like Silverstone.
I have to say that I really don’t understand the appeal of the R26R; it has all of the impracticality of a track-orientated car, like the Exige, but with more weight and FWD. No doubt it’s quick for what it is, but then so is the R26 that a guy from my motor club has fitted with better suspension, a remap and list 1b tyres for considerably less money.
JP
Steve
July 14, 2009@Jonathan Prestidge – Jonathan, this fits within the context of an age-old discussion about the merits of track-focused manufacturer specials.
The R26R is really in the same ilk as the E46 M3 CSL, 911 GT3 RS or any number of Porsche RS models. In fact it’s surprising how many R26R owners who also have an RS Porsche tucked away in the garage.
It’s all about feel and balance and the finer dynamic qualities that take Renault’s engineers hundreds of hours to develop. One thing that struck me with the R26R is how special it feels even when being driven 20 yards in the car park.
To understand the appeal of an R26R you have to drive it, and unfortunately that will be difficult now as Renaultsport shift their focus to production of the new Megane 260.
Steve
July 14, 2009@Jonathan Prestidge – Jonathan, this fits within the context of an age-old discussion about the merits of track-focused manufacturer specials.
The R26R is really in the same ilk as the E46 M3 CSL, 911 GT3 RS or any number of Porsche RS models. In fact it’s surprising how many R26R owners who also have an RS Porsche tucked away in the garage.
It’s all about feel and balance and the finer dynamic qualities that take Renault’s engineers hundreds of hours to develop. One thing that struck me with the R26R is how special it feels even when being driven 20 yards in the car park.
To understand the appeal of an R26R you have to drive it, and unfortunately that will be difficult now as Renaultsport shift their focus to production of the new Megane 260.