Geneva 2009: RenaultSport Megane RS

The latest in a long line of Renault hot hatches, the new Renaultsport Megane RS is just exactly what you'd expect: a turbocharged, hard-edged, body-kitted performance variant of the regular Megane.

This is the first Renaultsport variant of the new Megane, which has been receiving relatively positive reviews in the press as of late.  It's based on the sleek-looking Megane Coupe, and features a revised motor plus some neat carryovers from the old Megane R.26R.

Under the hood is a 2.0L, 16v inline-four equipped with a quick-spooling twin scroll turbocharger.  This motor makes more power and torque than the previous Renaultsport motor, while boasting a wider powerband and improved drivability and response.  Power peaks at 250 horsepower at 5,500rpm, while the torque peak of 340nM( 250lb-ft) comes in at a low 3,000 rpm, with 80% of torque output available from just 1,900rpm.  It's still port-injected, but just on paper it should provide the Renaultsport Megane RS with the kind of killer powerband that makes these turbo hot-hatches so fun to drive.  The RS is fitted with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission to get the most out of those 250 horses.

The Megane RS will come in two different flavors, "Sport" and "Cup."  Cup is the slightly more hardcore model, fitted as standard with a limited-slip differential and additional chassis bracing for more precise handling.  It's not as extreme as the R.26R (which had Lexan windows, only two seats, and scaffolding for a cargo area), but Renaultsport knows how to tune a chassis - this should be an amusing car for sure.

The new RS inherits it's fully independent suspension from the old model, which is pretty good place to start.  The weighting on the electric power-assisted steering is heavier for better feel, and the stability control has been re calibrated to offer a large degree of slip before intervention.  Oh, and you can also turn it off.

Outside, the Megane gets enough visual cues to set it off from the shopping models, although I could do without the 'arrest me' yellow paint.  Black chrome 18" wheels, LED running lights, F1 style front diffuser, rear diffuser, side heat extraction vents on the front fenders, and a center exit exhaust lend an air of menace to the RS that's lacking on the regular Coupe.  Renault is definitely trying to emphasize the tie-in to their successful Formula 1 team with the RS, judging by the press photos...

The inside gets a minor revamp as well, although Renault didn't see fit to include pictures of the RS' interior in their press release.  Sports seats with heavier bolstering for lateral support, a contoured sport steering wheel, analogue rev-counter with a visual/auditory rev-limit warning (nice!), and some aluminum trim are there to spice up the Megane's interior a bit.

No pricing data or projected release date for the Renaultsport Megane RS yet, but if you're in the US - don't hold your breath!  Expect pricing to sit just below the 305bhp Focus RS in the Euro market.  It'll be interesting to see how Renault's entry does against Ford's epic RS Focus, but I doubt you could go wrong either way.