Renault Megane RS

Overview

The claim of ‘motorsports in its genes’ may sound a bit extravagant and unnecessary vaunting at first instance, but rest assured, Megane RS would not let any expectations down when enquired thoroughly. Megane RS is a hot hatch model manufactured by the French automaker Renault. The company launched the fourth generation of RS in 2007 in a couple of trims, namely RS Sport and RS Cup. There are fewer things to differentiate between the two trims and both come with a capable powertrain and elegant outfit. Apart from a few complains, it houses all advisable features into it.

The company introduced another trim of the range in 2008, named ‘Trophy’, which offers more power output than the Sport and Cup and a few new styling cues.

Interior & Features

Ingressing inside, the first noticeable change is the portrait infotainment screen flanked by two rotatory gauges at its bottom and the buyer has the option to choose the spectrum of the interior ambient lighting. The steering wheel is wrapped with Alcantara and the seats give a velvet-type sense and offer great comfort. Behind the steering, there is a digital information console. Moreover, the infotainment system also integrated support for Apple CarPlay. The entire dashboard looks good and feels premium and the entire interior is dark with accents of other colours on the gear lever, steering wheel and on the stitching of the seats.

The two-wheeler also gets features like air quality control, heater, adjustable seats, and cruise control. However, the absence of rear AC vents and power control for rear windows are clearly a substantial compromise.

Exterior

Megane RS is one of the sportiest looking cars in its segment. Front face to tail, it has got all modules to make anyone cadge to test its might. At the front, it features a narrow metal grille with its centre entirely composed on the brand’s logo and flanked by LED headlights on sides. A lengthy strip of daytime running lights run all along the edges of beak-shaped LED units. To the bottom, there are eye-catching signature foglamps, followed by the front bumper. Moving up, the bonnet receives a number of strikes to make the vehicle’s anterior more expressive.

The side profiles get characteristic body cuts and narrow wheel wells. There is a chrome lining on the bottom edge of the window panels that runs along from the front window to rear, leaving the spectator to the bold rear.

At its back, it flaunts large LED taillights, which have more than half of its part on the tailgate. The rear windshield also gets a wiper and its top edge ends to the rear spoiler that looks like a wing of the vehicle.

Ride & Handling

Not something extraordinary, but also not mere ordinary, the four-wheeler equips a fair suspension layout. A MacPherson Strut unit works at the front, while the rear gets a torsion beam suspension. Both the units have coil spring type shock absorbers and the entire mechanism manages to offer enough comfort for a bum free drive.

A tiltable and telescopic-adjustable power steering rules the 18-inch alloy wheels and proffers overall fair handling.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Both the variants of Megane RS gets 1,998cc DOHC 1.8-litre turbocharged engine as their powerhouse. The mill churns out a maximum power of 265 hp and a peak torque of 360 Nm. The drive is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission gearbox, while a six-speed EDC dual-clutch is also an available option. The torque is decent and adequate enough to make the vehicle sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.0 seconds before attaining the electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. Furthermore, the coaster has an average fuel economy, with a figure of around 8.8 kmpl in cities and 15.3 kmpl on highways.

Braking & Safety

Megane RS draws the stopping power from ventilated disc brakes at the front and regular discs at the rear. These are further backed by Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to efficiently manage braking at high speeds.

For the driver’s and passenger’s safety, it gets a number of airbags, parking sensors, crash sensors, child safety lock and traction control as standard. Other safety features include smart access card entry, central locking, and anti-theft alarm.

Verdict

Renault Megane RS is a competent vehicle both on the part of power delivery and comfort. Though not exceptional or something to amaze, it fits a surfeit of necessary features and safety modules. It looks like the vehicle expresses more than it has with it, thanks to the exquisite exterior.