Renaultsport Megane 250

[mikeyb]

What is it?

You are looking at the all-new hot version of the all-new Renault Megane, tweaked by Renaultsport to produce 247bhp, 251lb ft and 0-62mph in 6.1sec. Plus, of course, the kind of handling precision to make mincemeat out of the average British B-road.


There are two subtly different versions, both of which are front-wheel-drive and share the same updated version of the venerable 2.0-litre turbocharged, four that has appeared in all previous hot Meganes.
The cheaper Cup model costs £21,995 and comes with less equipment but a lower riding, more aggressive chassis set up than the more lavishly equipped Sport (£22,995). You can, however, specify the Cup chassis with Sport equipment levels, and that’s the version we drove yesterday on the car’s international launch in southern Spain.


Renaltsport, as ever, has thrown the entire toolbox at the Megane 250 to make it as sharp as possible on the road, without denting the car’s basic refinement irrevocably, or so it claims.


The Cup chassis is some 15 per cent stiffer than that of the Sport, but both share the same strut (front), torsion beam (rear) suspension design, including Renault’s own version of a torque steer-reducing strut that pivots slightly under load, much like Ford’s RevoKnuckle system fitted to the Focus RS. It’s made from aluminum this time, thereby reducing unsprung weight where it matters most.


There is also a new multi-stage ESP system that allows a driver to select between three different driving modes. You can switch the system off completely, have it fully engaged or select a mid-way program that allows a small amount of slip before intervening and reducing the flow of torque to the front wheels.


In Sport guise the Megane 250 comes with 18in wheels and Dunlop SP Sport rubber, while the Cup version uses more aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, also 18in. And then there’s an optional 19in wheel that comes with a set of liquorice profile Continentals attached to the rims.
Inside, a number of upgrades distinguish the 250 above and beyond its more humble brethren. In either guise it has a pair suitably hip-hugging seats up front, and unlike the previous generation R26R it also has proper rear seats.


The steering wheel is unique to the 250 and has been designed not just to feel better in the hands but also generate less inertia in use. The rev counter is a not so delicate shade of yellow, which helps lift the otherwise high quality feeling but fairly plain looking interior.
What’s it like?


Anyone expecting the raw and decidedly racy thrills of the previous geberation R26 models is going to be somewhat surprised by what they find with the new Megane 250. Even in Cup form it’s a much more refined, grown up car than its predecessors. It feels and sounds like a more expensive kind of hot hatch, and although it accelerates with even more vim than the R26 on paper, in reality it doesn’t feel quite as quick as the old timer. Or as dramatic.


Mostly this is a welcome realisation. Torque steer has been all but eradicated this time round, and even with the three stage ESP system switched off there is rarely any wheelspin once you are out of first gear. And the body control is deeply impressive, across a whole range of surfaces. It’s now the sort of hot hatch that imbues confidence in its driver, rather than one that asks occasionally awkward questions of them.
It rides much better than the R26, too, and that’s a big step in the right direction, one that elevates the 250 clear of opposition such as the Astra VXR and Mazda 3 MPS.


Yet despite its obvious and various improvements, there is just a mild sense of disappointment on discovering that some of edge that so distinguished its predecessor has gone; has been deliberately – and understandably – removed from the formula. Renaultsport claims that the steering of the 250 is better than ever thanks to various modifications, both to the steering system itself and the front suspension. But in practice, although the steering feels more cultured, it also feels less incisive, less delicious.


And the same thing applies to handling in general. On most roads the 250RS feels more planted, grippier, safer and is very probably faster across the ground than its predecessor. But it’s also not as much of a riot to drive. Hussling this car is something that no longer seems appropriate, and that does seem something of a shame.


On the other hand, as a 365 day a year prospect the 250 comes across as a much higher quality product than its predecessor. It feels expensive, well made, well bred. And it’s more economical and cleaner to boot.


Should I buy one?


It looks dramatic, it drives in a far more mature way than its predecessor, the level of specification is near unbeatable at the money, and it’s quick enough to make a Focus RS driver think very hard indeed across country. So yes, for £22k the Megane 250 RS seems like a lot of car for the money.


But if you are expecting the same giggle factor that was at the centre of the R26, you may be somewhat disappointed. Not that this means the 250 is anything other than a very good hot hatch. Such is the shape of progress nowadays, even at Renaultsport, so it would seem.


[autocar]

[mikeyb]

find this review way off the mark because the RS 250 is not supposed to compete with the extreme R26.R. The new RS Megane 250 is meant to follow up the RS Megane 225 and 225 Cup, which are softer than the R26.R.


To refresh your memory, here is the 225 Cup:
http://www.carenthusiast.com/r....html


Renault has gone on record to say they will probably release an R26.R follow-up towards the end of this Megane's lifecycle. Then it's appropriate to make all the R26.R comparisons.

[Kymerik]

eh, the undisputed hot hatch in euroland is still the focus we americans can only dream of

[mikeyb]

It’s been a big year for hot hatches, with the Golf GTI, Focus RS and Scirocco R fighting it out to name but three. Renault’s last-gen Megane R26R is still a match for them all despite its age, and now the French hot hatch expert is piling on the pressure with this, the all-new Megane 250.
What are the headline changes?

Well, the basics remain the same as last time around, with a 2.0-litre turbo four channelling over 200bhp through a six-speed manual gearbox and the front wheels alone. However, the gearbox is all-new, and the familiar engine gets new intake ports and sodium-cooled exhaust valves, stronger pistons and con-rods, new intercooler and oil coolers and new piston ring carriers along with a power hike to 247bhp.
Is there a Cup version this time?

There are two models, Cup and Sport. The Sport costs more because of its higher standard equipment (climate control, electric leather seats, automatic lights and wipers and more), but the lighter Cup with its more aggressive chassis setup is the one for trackday regulars – and its lesser spec means it’s £1000 cheaper at £21,995. And, as ever, you can spec the Cup chassis on the 250 Sport at extra cost.
How does it drive?

It’s a corker. The electrically assisted steering is much nicer than the previous generation Megane's, having a more progressive build in weight away from the straight ahead, seamlessly increasing its resistance in proportion to your efforts. The gearchange, too, is much improved. It still feels fairly long of throw, but the engagement feels tighter.

The standard 250 Sport comes without the CUp's limited slip differential, but its grip and the way it powers through turns could fool you into thinking otherwise – you can get on the power stupidly early, and the more power you feed in, the more keenly it pulls through the bend.
The engine lacks character (its just a flat roar of boost), and it takes a good 2500rpm to properly get into its stride, but it is still tractable from down low and it charges to its 6500rpm with impressive eagerness. That said, this chassis could easily cope with more.


Statistics

How much?	£21,995
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	1998cc 16v 4cyl turbo, 247bhp @ 5500rpm, 251lb ft @ 3000rpm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance:	1387kg/steel
How heavy / made of?	4299/1848/1435
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	6.1sec 0-62mph, 156mph, 33.6mpg, 195g/km

CAR's rating


Handling

Performance

Usability

Feelgood factor

Readers' rating



How do the two versions compare on the road?

We’re yet to drive both models on UK roads, but the Sport feels impressively compliant, and certainly a lot smoother than the Focus RS. However, that does impact on the connection between driver and tarmac, and its responses – while highly impressive in isolation – feel a little warmer and fuzzier than the ultra-sharp Cup's. Even smooth Spanish roads had the Cup – 35% firmer front springs, 38% rear – jigging around, but it pays you back with its directness and even sharper steering. The Cup brakes, too, feel stronger, especially in the initial centimetre of travel – its discs are grooved and, more relevant to pedal feel, its servo is 11 percent more powerful. And then there’s its standard LSD, which helps to quell wheelspin through second-gear hairpins.
Verdict

Another top drawer effort from Renaultsport. The Megane 250 offers more excitement than the Golf GTI, is more rounded than the Focus RS and significantly undercuts the Scirocco R. The way it steers, grips and turns is particularly impressive, especially in Cup trim, but we suspect the softer Sport is the best option for UK roads.




[carmagazine]

[Kymerik]

that thing's got a weird lookin butt...