A shame the Cup chassis is not standard to make the R.S. a sharper drive.
May 2018
Megane R.S. launched
Powered by a 280PS + 390Nm turbocharged 1.8 engine opened for orders at a starting price of £27,495. Has choice of standard 6-speed manual or EDC ttransmission, 4Control 4 wheel steer and optional Cup chassis, normally a £1500 upgrade but offered FoC with May 2018 orders. First customer deliveries July 2018.
The 2018 Megane RS gets 4Control – Renault’s four-wheel steer system, re-engineered by Renault Sport for optimum performance. At speeds over 37mph (or 62mph in Race mode), the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction for increased stability. At speeds of less than 37mph (or at 62mph in Race mode), the front and rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to give increased agility, particularly through tight corners. 4Control helps drivers to position the car on the right line through corners in order to accelerate as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
Two chassis are available giving the option of either a Sport or Cup chassis. The Sport chassis is for drivers who like a sporty, but still refined, drive. The Cup chassis has revised springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bump stops and is 10 per cent stiffer. Its front and rear hydraulic compression stops provide a high level of chassis efficiency and its new Torsen mechanical limited slip differential provides different lock-up values under acceleration and deceleration for enhanced traction and higher cornering speeds.
Brembo bi-material brakes are available as an option with the Cup chassis. These aluminium/cast iron discs help reduce the weight per wheel by 1.8kg. Previously used on the Mégane III R.S., the Brembo braking system has been improved, offering drivers greater power, endurance and therefore confidence behind the wheel. The diameter of the front brake discs has been increased to 355mm. The brake pedal setting focuses on the accuracy of the pressure applied, enabling drivers to remain in complete control, especially on the track.
A six-speed EDC automatic transmission in place of the 6-speed manual is optional. The EDC has been considerably updated to withstand the 390Nm torque and was given new gear ratios and specific shift patterns. Comfort and Normal provide smooth gear changes for everyday driving around town. Sport provides quicker gear changes and an amplified engine noise. Race provides the quickest and most efficient gear changes with no compromise on comfort
The EDC transmission also has Multi-Change Down and Launch Control. Multi-Change Down drops several gears under braking by pressing and holding the left paddle. The best gear is then selected to exit the corner as efficiently as possible. Launch Control is available in Sport and Race modes when the clutch and turbo are preloaded, enabling an optimum standing start. When in Sport mode, Traction Control provides the driver with additional support.
The exterior styling of the 2018 Megane RS includes Gun Metal Grey F1-style blade and honeycomb front grille and rear bumper with functioning diffuser and central exhaust. A rear spoiler increases the sporting stance of the car. Standout R.S. Vision full LED lighting system in the style of a chequered flag. The Megane RS has Gun Metal Grey ‘Estoril’ 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 R18 92V tyres.
Standard technology such as rear parking sensors, Multi-Sense driving modes, seven-inch touchscreen with European mapping, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, handsfree keycard with automatic locking and welcome function, heated electric door mirrors, Hill Start Assist, ESC and ABS make All-New Mégane R.S. easy to live with on an everyday basis.
Other comforts and technologies such as an opening sunroof, 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen, alcantara seats and 8-speaker BOSE sound system, handsfree parking, rear parking camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, distance warning and automatic emergency braking are available as optional extras.
Version
|
Power
(hp @ rpm)
|
Torque
(Nm @ rpm)
|
0-62mph (sec)
|
Top speed (mph)
|
Megane RS 280
|
280 @ 6,000
|
390 @ 2400-4800
|
5.8
|
158
|
Megane RS 280 EDC
|
280 @ 6,000
|
390 @ 2400-4800
|
5.8
|
155
|
Version
|
CO 2 (g/km)
|
MPG (NEDC combined)
|
BIK
|
VED (Yr. 1)
|
Price (OTR)
|
Megane RS 280
|
161
|
39.7
|
32%
|
£515
|
£27,495
|
Megane RS 280 EDC
|
155
|
40.9
|
32%
|
£515
|
£29,195
|
July 2018
Megane R.S. Trophy launched
Powered by a brand-new version of the 1.8-litre turbo engine, delivering increased power output of 300PS and torque of 420Nm. This can be combined with a six-speed manual or six-speed EDC (Efficient dual-clutch) gearbox.
Together with the new power unit, a host of additional performance-focused features differentiate the Renault Megane RS Trophy from the standard Megane RS.
Based on the Cup chassis, which boasts stiffer suspension and a Torsen mechanical limited slip differential, the Renault Megane RS Trophy is further enhanced with bi-material front brake discs, specific 19-inch ‘Jerez’ alloy wheels and high performance Bridgestone tyres, which can be paired with new, exclusive lighter wheels that reduce total unsprung weight by 8kg.
For increased support, and also exclusive to the New Megane RS Trophy are optional new Recaro front seats, covered with Alcantara upholstery and positioned 20mm lower for a greater driver experience.
Available in the iconic Liquid Yellow that is synonymous with Trophy models, the New Mégane RS Trophy is further identified with Trophy stripes added to its F1-style front spoiler.
The most powerful RS ever benefits from the advanced technology and Renault Sport innovations that already exist in the Mégane RS, including the 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and four hydraulic bump stop shock absorbers.
December 2018
Megane R.S. Trophy orders open
Renault’s New Megane RS 300 Trophy is now on sale with deliveries starting from February 2019.
Pricing starts at £31,810 for the six-speed manual gearbox model. Equipped with the six-speed automatic EDC (efficient dual-clutch) gearbox, the new Megane RS 300 Trophy is £33,510.
July 2019
Megane R.S. Trophy-R announced
With a 130kg saving over the standard Megane R.S. Trophy, the Trophy-R features a powerful 300PS turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine and has set the production car lap record at the Nurburgring test track.
Further upgrades include a Torsen limited slip differential, optional carbon ceramic front brakes and a lightweight titanium Akrapovič exhaust.
Limited to just 500 examples with 30 right-hand-drive models coming to the UK, prices will be announced when orders open in August.
July 2019
Megane R.S. Trophy-R prices confirmed
Starts at £51,040 for the standard Megane R.S. Trophy-R, identified by its mother-of-pearl paint finish with red highlights as well as carbon composite bonnet, carbon rear diffuser and Fuji Light 19’’ alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres developed specifically for Renault Sport.
Inside is a stripped-out interior that features a pair of composite Sabelt one-piece seats, an Alcantara covered steering wheel and 7-inch R-LINK 2 infotainment complete with R.S. Monitor, which allows in-depth access to performance data and telemetry. The removal of the rear seats means the addition of a special luggage retention net that’s secured to the strengthening strut between the rear suspension towers. Under the skin is a totally bespoke suspension system featuring revised geometry and Ohlins adjustable dampers, bi-material front brakes and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust.
The £63,140 Carbon Wheel pack vehicle adds four Carbon Revolution 19-inch wheels in addition to the standard Fuji Light rims. These save an extra 2kg per wheel in unsprung mass. Secured in tailored storage bags and stored in a special cradle behind the front seats, these wheels have been designed to unlock even greater on track potential.
For the ultimate Mégane R.S. Trophy-R experience, the £72,140 Nürburgring Record Pack version brings the car up to the same specification as that driven by Renault Sport test driver Laurent Hurgon on his record-breaking laps.
In addition to the carbon wheels, customers also get a carbon ceramic front braking system - another first in this class. Featuring larger 390mm discs and gold finished Brembo calipers this set-up provides unrivalled stopping power. On top of this, there’s the dynamic air intake, which replaces the R.S. Vision 4 lighting in the lower bumper. Not only does this unit save 2kg in weight, it provides both better cooling and breathing for the engine.
All versions of the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R can additionally be specified with several R.S. Performance upgrades, including a lightweight lithium-ion battery that saves 4.5kg, six-point harnesses for the Sabelt seats and an accessory ducting pipe for the dynamic air intake that feeds straight into the engine’s intake system.
December 2019
Five year 100,000 mile factory warranty announced on all new Renaults The warranty applies to all new Renault cars registered from 18th December 2019 both retail and fleet cars and features an unlimited mileage limit during the first two years and up to 100,000 miles up to 5 years old.