Wednesday 21st November 2012

220hp Megane estate... but not for us

New GT220 would have joined Focus ST in the emerging market for small, fast estates

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Before this year, it had been a while since we’d seen a small, sporty estate car from a mainstream manufacturer. We’ve been chatting about it here at PH Towers, and the last we could remember was the Focus ST170, but since that model was axed in 2004, there’s been very little to replace it.

While premium manufacturers have continued to churn out large, fast estate models – Audi’s RS4 and RS6 are two that spring to mind – the appetite lower down the price listings for an estate car that can please the driver as much as the family pooch has, seemingly, been lacking.

Fortunately, the arrival of the ST170’s spiritual successor, the Focus ST, remedied the situation, and the news today that Renault will be joining the fray with a sporty Megane parts-hauler suggests that there’s an increasing desire by manufacturers to get involved with this niche. There are even rumours Honda will do a Type R version of its new Civic estate...

There's a catch, though: the new Renault, dubbed the GT 220 Sport Tourer, won't make it to our shores, as it doesn't fit with Renault's aim to keep its range simple in the UK, apparently. Bah, and indeed, humbug.

We're actually quite gutted about that, as in terms of performance, it'd neatly fill the gap between the ST Estate and its lowlier Zetec S sibling, and with 220hp on offer it should provide enough poke to make it an entertaining steer.

That power, which comes from a detuned version of the RenaultSport 265’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, will be matched to a solid 251lb ft of torque, and while no performance figures have yet been released, you can expect a 0-62 time around the low-to-mid 7s. Under the skin, stiffer suspension, a tweaked power steering system, improved brakes and high-performance tyres will mean the GT220 should be a pretty competent driver’s car. And of course, there’s a smattering of cosmetic upgrades to set it apart from the standard Sport Tourer, not least of which are the black 18in alloys.

All of which makes us less than impressed that we're going to miss out. All we can do is look pleadingly in Renault's general direction and hope for a change of heart - or, better still, a RenaultSport version of the Tourer.

We reckon it's got the potential to be a commendable rival to Focus, and will allow the more family-oriented hot hatch fan to get his or her fix. But what do you reckon? Is Renault right to keep this particular Megane from us, or is it disappointing that we're to be denied?

[MrGeoff]

nice ripspeed alloys...

[treetops]

Not a pretty estate at all.

Thankfully not for us.

[CatScan]

My Fabia VRs is a small sporty estate car, 0-60 in low to mid 7's.

Shame we're not getting this, love a fast estate.

[Ferosferio]

treetops said:

Not a pretty estate at all.

Thankfully not for us.

Indeed.

Also, this is a limited run, is it not?

[Snowman23]

'Before this year, it had been a while since we’d seen a small, sporty estate car from a mainstream manufacturer. We’ve been chatting about it here at PH Towers, and the last we could remember was the Focus ST170, but since that model was axed in 2004, there’s been very little to replace it'

Would the Octavia vRS Estate not fall into this category, I appreciate it is a big bigger, but price wise, pretty comparable?

[A Scotsman]

I still miss my Subaru Legacy GTB tourer... Well apart from its fuel consumption.. I don't miss that at all.. But, the market could do with a smallish tourer.. Not sure it's this Megane though.

[Gingerbenny]

Impreza WRX Sportback, or even Volvo V40/V50 T5?

[Sivraj]

That’s bloody ugly but Renault is missing a trick not selling them over here.
I think there would be a good market for a reasonably priced performance estate.

[Blown2CV]

the demise and gradual withdrawal of renault from the UK gives me a little pleasure being a my ex's Dad was a Renault dealer and quite a of a man. At 19 he made me feel about 5, and a lot of his bad traits had been passed on to the offspring! I couldn't stand the fked and I hope this means he's gone bust. off topic but thought i'd share to break up the "oo that's nice" "that's rubbish" footfall.

[Whiters]

Don't think it's any better or worse looking than the ST estate. What I do like is proper roof bars. An estate always looks better with them IMO. The ST has them but they're hardly noticeable.

[Garlick]

Blown2CV said:

the demise and gradual withdrawal of renault from the UK gives me a little pleasure being a my ex's Dad was a Renault dealer and quite a of a man. At 19 he made me feel about 5, and a lot of his bad traits had been passed on to the offspring! I couldn't stand the fked and I hope this means he's gone bust. off topic but thought i'd share to break up the "oo that's nice" "that's rubbish" footfall.

At least you're over it now.

Oh...

[HTP99]

Sivraj said:

That’s bloody ugly but Renault is missing a trick not selling them over here.
I think there would be a good market for a reasonably priced performance estate.

Disagree on both counts, it is a good looking car in the flesh that photo/rendering does make it look a bit odd though.

If it came over here it would flop.

[Dave Hedgehog]

sod the megane, wheres the M3 touring !!!

[scubadude]

Current Megane looks awful after the simplicity of the previous model.

Skoda also did a hot diesel of the Octavia, was abit of a hoot but I was put off by the stupid boot floor (no good for dive gear)

[vrsmxtb]

"Before this year, it had been a while since we’d seen a small, sporty estate car from a mainstream manufacturer"

Skoda Fabia VRS estate launched in 2010. 1.4TSI 180bhp.

Just googled ST170 estate, really never knew they had made that!!

[Butter Face]

treetops said:

Not a pretty estate at all.

Thankfully not for us.

They look fantastic in the 'flesh', also they have gret spec and handle pretty well.

This would have been a brilliant car for the UK.

Edited by Butter Face on Wednesday 21st November 13:53

[Codswallop]

Dave Hedgehog said:

sod the megane, wheres the M3 touring !!!

Somewhere in a BMW storage building, sadly. Looks absolutely perfect imo.

[CYMR0]

In the old Renault world of ten years ago (when they admittedly never made a fast Megane estate) we would have bought more of these than anybody.

It shows how far they've gone down in the world.

[KarlMac]

Is this the start of the new trends and desire to be frugal? People moving away from SUVs/SUV crossovers and back to estates? Always love a good dog carrier/shooting brake/estate so fingers crossed this fashion takes off.

[HTP99]

Butter Face said:

treetops said:

Not a pretty estate at all.

Thankfully not for us.

They look fantastic in the 'flesh', also they have gret spec and handle pretty well.

This would have been a brilliant car for the UK.

Edited by Butter Face on Wednesday 21st November 13:53

No way, that would have bombed over here, no one wants high powered petrol Megane's, Renault struggle to shift the diesel ones even though they are good cars.

Edited by HTP99 on Wednesday 21st November 14:03