The New Renault Megane R.S. - The Best in Everyday Madness

With its expertise in Formula 1, as an engine constructor, Renault makes no attempt to hide its motorsport pedigree. The new Megane R.S. sets a new benchmark, and we can see that the compact hot hatch segment is “hotting” up! The new Megane R.S. boasts a whole list of technological innovations, like its class-leading 4CONTROL technology, a four-wheel steering system which provides easy manoeuvrability at low speeds, allowing the you to steer it around in confined spaces, just like a car with a shorter wheelbase, while providing a high degree of stability at high speeds… all this without any compromise on ride comfort.

OneShift Editorial Team

14 Sep 2018

Upping their game, the new car gets hydraulic compression stops to all four of its shock absorbers, which is rally-inspired technology. Basically a shock absorber within the actual shock absorber, which aids in dissipating the energy without transferring it over to the wheel – as a traditional bump stop would; helping to keep the wheels well-planted for the best contact to the ground, and without the pendulum effects and rebound you would traditionally get.

Under the hood, the new Megane R. S. gets a stonking 1.8 litre twin scroll turbocharged engine, which benefits from Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) for the valve lifters… one of the technologies borrowed from the high-tech world of motor racing. The Megane R. S. pushes out an untamed 280hp, and 390Nm of torque, and is front-driven by way of a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) gearbox… a transmission already proven in several models within the Renault range. For its application in the Megane R.S., the where higher torque is present, the transmission has been strengthened to withstand greater performance demands.

The Megane R.S. clocks in at 5.8 seconds for its century sprint, but with all of this superb performance, the Megane R.S. is still able to manage an impressive 7.0 litres/100km, and more good news, the car has been awarded a VES “B” rating.

Thanks to five drive modes, including the all-important race mode, the new Megane R.S. can deliver track-ready performance or just simply a comfortable drive to the mall.

Renault has also maximised the use of its 8.7” portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system. The new Megane R.S. displays an array of intuitive driving information, where drivers can keep tabs on their lap times, and other important bits of driver information.

With its high performance, the Megane R.S. is equipped with some lovely kit. A wide air intake in its front bumper incorporates the F1-style front blade, one of the hallmarks of Renault Sport styling, reflecting the brand’s Formula One involvement. The car also benefits from sculpted LED C-shaped daytime-running lights, which feature distinct built-in directional indicators.

The Megane R.S. also features the R.S. Vision multi-reflector LED lighting system, first seen in the Clio R.S. as standard equipment, and meets the demands of more powerful lighting, in-line with the higher performance features offered by the new car. The signature chequered flag design lights are integrated in the front bumper, on the side of the F1-style blade.

Its new 19” “Interlagos” Diamond-effect alloy rims, house Brembo calipers in-front, while its wing-mounted air extractors optimises air flow through the wheel arches. At the rear, a central exhaust outlet epitomises the All-New Renault Megane R.S..

At launch, Renault’s showpiece Megane R.S. was revealed in their unique Tonic Orange, a colour which Renault revealed takes a longer time to apply, with only three per day leaving their paint shop.

The All-New Renault Megane R.S. retails for just a shade below $170,000!

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