RE: Spotted: Renaultsport Megane R26.R
Discussion
Threads on this usually go the same way ("what's the point?", "just buy a RWD car" etc etc), oddly enough many similar criticisms could be thrown at the Clio V6, which is equally impractical, heavily compromised etc etc, but the world is a much better place with machinery like this out there, especially from a mainstream manufacturer. Ironic, then, that the new RS Clio is being hammered for Renault playing it safe.
If I had the funds it would be my car of choice, RWD doesn't bother me (a shocking admission on PH, I appreciate), so a car with more ability than I will ever be able to exploit whilst still looking like a bog standard RS is right up my street.
If I had the funds it would be my car of choice, RWD doesn't bother me (a shocking admission on PH, I appreciate), so a car with more ability than I will ever be able to exploit whilst still looking like a bog standard RS is right up my street.
kambites said:
Maybe that's what I'm missing then - I suppose I didn't really realise anyone actually preferred "FWD handling".
There obviously isn't much of a market or someone would be producing an actual ground-up FWD drivers car, so I guess it makes sense to do the best they can with a hacked about hatchback.
As good as this car is, for me the inherently nose-lead handling and high polar moment of inertia brought on by having the engine slung out over the front axle will always be a down-side when compared to a sports car, not to mention the lack of traction.
Have you driven one? Lack of traction is definitely not an issue!There obviously isn't much of a market or someone would be producing an actual ground-up FWD drivers car, so I guess it makes sense to do the best they can with a hacked about hatchback.
As good as this car is, for me the inherently nose-lead handling and high polar moment of inertia brought on by having the engine slung out over the front axle will always be a down-side when compared to a sports car, not to mention the lack of traction.
kambites said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
It's a fast road/track car for people who like front wheel drive handling. What's hard to get?
Maybe that's what I'm missing then - I suppose I didn't really realise anyone actually preferred "FWD handling". There obviously isn't much of a market or someone would be producing an actual ground-up FWD drivers car, so I guess it makes sense to do the best they can with a hacked about hatchback.
As good as this car is, for me the inherently nose-lead handling and high polar moment of inertia brought on by having the engine slung out over the front axle will always be a down-side when compared to a sports car, not to mention the lack of traction.
Regarding the handling comments, have you driven one? If not at some point you really should, if for nothing else other than to see just how good front wheel drive can be. Of course it can be made to under steer if you're clumsy, but right up to the limit it's one of the most neutral handling cars there is, which of course is fantastic for your confidence leaving you to go faster & faster.
They have other options too, such as lift off oversteer if you like to feel the car four wheel drift, but readjust your driving style to what suits it best, & they are just devastatingly fast.
I think on the last spotted thread I linked I posted a video of mine on the ring, and I'm by no means a driving god & it was by no means my fastest ever lap, but it does show just how good they are (I think).
I'm actually trying to get my hands on another, when I do I'll be giving plenty of pax laps out just to show people what it can do, they're always incredibly surprised! If you do track days & see one there, ask for a lap, you might be amazed
StottyZr said:
..... I'd buy an R26 and strip it myself.
This is by far the cheapest way to enjoy the driving experience on the track from an initial outlay point of view, however the car you end up with will always end up being worth a grand total of next to fuggall.I also drove the new shape RS250 at Silverstone at the start of the year, and this will become a better day to day compromise once the values drop a bit more, and they'll inevitably become cheaper than an R26R
CarlT said:
Have you driven one? Lack of traction is definitely not an issue!
Not an R, admittedly, but I've never driven a FWD car which can get off the line properly. It's got a higher power to weight ratio than my car and takes a second longer to get to 60... now I know standing starts are hardly the be-all and end-all of a car, but it still shows a lack of low-speed traction. I know the car is very, very good for a FWD hatchback but for me it'd offer no significant extra practicality over my Elise and it ain't that good. If nothing else no FWD (or 4WD) car can ever match the steering purity of a really good RWD one.
I'm really glad that wonderfully silly cars like this exist, but I'd never want one.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 25th October 10:10
Utter wonderfulness - a mini touring car for the road. 
Amusing that people still don't get it and are moaning about lack of rear seats.
It's the little things like spending 5 mins doing up your harnesses instead of just clunk-clipping like any old car. That's makes it special and and experience.
Got to laugh at the 'it's FWD and french so must be kak' brigade.
There do seem to be a few people living under very large rocks.
Amusing that people still don't get it and are moaning about lack of rear seats.
It's the little things like spending 5 mins doing up your harnesses instead of just clunk-clipping like any old car. That's makes it special and and experience.
Got to laugh at the 'it's FWD and french so must be kak' brigade.
There do seem to be a few people living under very large rocks.LaurasOtherHalf said:
Regarding the handling comments, have you driven one? If not at some point you really should, if for nothing else other than to see just how good front wheel drive can be. Of course it can be made to under steer if you're clumsy, but right up to the limit it's one of the most neutral handling cars there is, which of course is fantastic for your confidence leaving you to go faster & faster.
I've driven an R26 but not an R. I appreciate that the R is better, though. When I said "nose lead" I certainly didn't mean understeery - I meant tending to rotate around a point near the front of the car.
Like many guys on here I have been lucky to drive and own lot's of desirable cars.
I currently own an E92 M3 and an R26.R. When my M3 was stolen from my drive I set off after the guys in he R26.R. I had no doubt that the Renault would have no trouble staying with them!
I liken a good drive in the Renault to catching a really good wave. It is amazing. Grip, handling, poise, pace and accuracy.
It's not even worth responding to the rear seat criticism.
The other prominent complaint regarding cost - well if cost is so important to you think about the lack of depreciation. That makes it really cheap as an overall ownership proposition. A little like the M3 CSL.
I currently own an E92 M3 and an R26.R. When my M3 was stolen from my drive I set off after the guys in he R26.R. I had no doubt that the Renault would have no trouble staying with them!
I liken a good drive in the Renault to catching a really good wave. It is amazing. Grip, handling, poise, pace and accuracy.
It's not even worth responding to the rear seat criticism.
The other prominent complaint regarding cost - well if cost is so important to you think about the lack of depreciation. That makes it really cheap as an overall ownership proposition. A little like the M3 CSL.
These constantly tempt me.
Manufacturers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I agree the new Clio looks awful and despite how good it may turn out to be I would never touch one. Many also seem to agree, but then when they do go balls out with cars like the 26.R people don't actually get it and don't buy them and say things like why not buy an e46. So of course they are going to start making 5 door paddle shift cars as their sporty options
I think regardless on what you think of the car Renault still deserve MASSIVE credit for builidng a car that came with a roll cage, bucket seats, harnesses, titanium exhaust and track tyres from the show room! Who else does this for cars at this sort of price point?
Manufacturers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I agree the new Clio looks awful and despite how good it may turn out to be I would never touch one. Many also seem to agree, but then when they do go balls out with cars like the 26.R people don't actually get it and don't buy them and say things like why not buy an e46. So of course they are going to start making 5 door paddle shift cars as their sporty options
I think regardless on what you think of the car Renault still deserve MASSIVE credit for builidng a car that came with a roll cage, bucket seats, harnesses, titanium exhaust and track tyres from the show room! Who else does this for cars at this sort of price point?
BaronVonVaderham said:
Utter wonderfulness - a mini touring car for the road.
Amusing that people still don't get it and are moaning about lack of rear seats.
It's the little things like spending 5 mins doing up your harnesses instead of just clunk-clipping like any old car. That's makes it special and and experience.
Got to laugh at the 'it's FWD and french so must be kak' brigade. There do seem to be a few people living under very large rocks.
That's what I'm saying. This is why it should be compared to cars like Caterhams and Elises - 2-seats, basic, light, driver focused, harnesses, special and an experience every time you drive it, available at the same price.Amusing that people still don't get it and are moaning about lack of rear seats.
It's the little things like spending 5 mins doing up your harnesses instead of just clunk-clipping like any old car. That's makes it special and and experience.
Got to laugh at the 'it's FWD and french so must be kak' brigade.
There do seem to be a few people living under very large rocks.I'm not moaning about the lack of rear seats, just saying that in my mind, that means it is competing with other 2-seaters rather than things like the Focus ST/RS.
mat205125 said:
This is by far the cheapest way to enjoy the driving experience on the track from an initial outlay point of view, however the car you end up with will always end up being worth a grand total of next to fuggall.
I also drove the new shape RS250 at Silverstone at the start of the year, and this will become a better day to day compromise once the values drop a bit more, and they'll inevitably become cheaper than an R26R
They're worth next to nothing anyway. Surely if you just kept all the bits in the garage you could always put them back and recoup some of your 3-4 grand?I also drove the new shape RS250 at Silverstone at the start of the year, and this will become a better day to day compromise once the values drop a bit more, and they'll inevitably become cheaper than an R26R
I thought I would just share this with you.
I bought this car brand new to replace my M3 sport evo, since then it has covered 11000 miles on the Nurburgring.
This Renault has been totally reliable, hugely entertaining and very fast. Only a very well driven GT3/GTR will pass you in the dry and never in the wet
When you get to grips with the front drive handling very few cars will match the speed of this car in a corner.
I have driven just about everything on the Ring and no car has been more fun, and most importantly on a track like this forgiving when you over do it.
I have so many races, overtakes, near misses and close calls over the last three years that I'm pretty sure if I had bought any other car I wouldn't be writing this today.
If this car was double the price it would be a bargain.
kambites said:
Not an R, admittedly, but I've never driven a FWD car which can get off the line properly. It's got a higher power to weight ratio than my car and takes a second longer to get to 60... now I know standing starts are hardly the be-all and end-all of a car, but it still shows a lack of low-speed traction.
I know the car is very, very good for a FWD hatchback but for me it'd offer no significant extra practicality over my Elise and it ain't that good. If nothing else no FWD (or 4WD) car can ever match the steering purity of a really good RWD one.
I'm really glad that wonderfully silly cars like this exist, but I'd never want one.
Having owned an Elise, I would honestly say the R26.R is the quicker car. Admittedly the 0-60 times don't reflect this, but on the road and track it is (IMHO). I know the car is very, very good for a FWD hatchback but for me it'd offer no significant extra practicality over my Elise and it ain't that good. If nothing else no FWD (or 4WD) car can ever match the steering purity of a really good RWD one.
I'm really glad that wonderfully silly cars like this exist, but I'd never want one.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 25th October 10:10
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