Tuesday 15th September 2009
Megane Renaultsport 250
More power and coupe styling for next hot Megane
Renault has announced details of the new Megane Renaultsport 250, the replacement for the much loved 225 based on the latest generation of its family hatch.
This time the hot Megane is based on the coupe variant, and looks purposeful (if rather oddly proportioned). Similarly purposeful is the revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged lump, packing a 20bhp power upgrade and additional 30 lb ft of torque. This brings headline figures to 250bhp, and 251 lb ft at 3000rpm. Perhaps the most impressive stat Renault has released is that 80% of torque is available from just 1900rpm, which should make the car very tractable through its six-speed manual 'box.
As we've come to expect from hot Renaults there are 2 main chassis options to choose from, the standard 'Sport' version that will be tuned mainly for road use, and the harder, more track day-focused 'Cup' chassis. Either way, you'll get the clever 'PerfoHub' independent steering axis front suspension system that keeps the steering and suspension functions separate, so hopefully the same keen handling from the 225 will be evident here.
Of course, there are some toys. When you're pushing hard (and in moments of talent-deficit), 'Renaultsport Dynamic Management' is there to keep things kosher. There's a default 'On' setting for the cautious, a 'Sport' mode for the casual thrillseeker and 'Off' mode for the downright lairy. There's also a rather nice-sounding feature called 'Renaultsport Monitor' with all sorts of information on offer including gearchange warnings, acceleration and lap timing, real-time engine performance stats and more.
Styling details abound to attempt to give the rather bulky coupe a sleeker, sportier look, with an F1-inspired front 'blade' (with, inevitably, LED daytime running lights), extended wheel arches, side skirts, a 'phat' central tailpipe and rear diffuser, and an extended tailgate spoiler.
We're not sure that all this chintz can quite rescue this slightly ungainly-looking coupe, and no word is out yet on the all-important kerb weight, but hopefully it will prove more nimble in real life than its aesthetic bulk would suggest. We'll try to find out for you when it's released later this year.
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Dan S
Original Poster
461 posts
99 months
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Those C-Pillars could make for some interesting moments on the nurburgrung
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Gizmo!
15,497 posts
78 months
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That will look much better in black: I don't like this new Renault 'face' and if the rest of the car is black it will hide the massive grille. Considering they're up against the Scirocco it's an odd design. Should go well though 
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james_tigerwoods
10,726 posts
66 months
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Looks good (I wonder how it'll go) - but what's with the trend for exhausts to look like USB ports?
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bazking69
8,598 posts
59 months
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corcoran
222 posts
143 months
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I really like the new megane. It's not fat and european like a lot of other current hatches. I meat it's fat. and european, but somehow seems.. well done.
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t84
6,941 posts
63 months
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What was the 225 like? Shockingly built? I like the look of Meganes.
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adycav
7,615 posts
86 months
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Bet it will drive very well.
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bobthemonkey
3,539 posts
85 months
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Gizmo! said: That will look much better in black: I don't like this new Renault 'face' and if the rest of the car is black it will hide the massive grille. Considering they're up against the Scirocco it's an odd design. Should go well though They do look good in black. any word on whether a slippy diff is available?
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arun1uk
718 posts
67 months
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From the side and back it looks like an elongated Corsa VXR.....
I'll still get one though, with the Cup chassis please!
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RobCrezz
7,554 posts
77 months
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pugs9000
238 posts
79 months
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Can't image this will let the side down in terms of driving, like most renaultsports probably look better in the flesh..... i hope!
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Pie n Chips
53 posts
123 months
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Looks like the produce of a papa and nicole inbred lovefest - chunder
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peterattheboro
753 posts
52 months
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Had a nosey around one of these at the RWS at Silverstone. They look really good in the flesh! If I had the money to buy a brand new hot hatch it'd would either be this or the Focus RS  (Or the R26R but more probably the FRS )
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amglover
1,033 posts
54 months
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you would have to be mad to spend that much on a renault, maybe a good 2nd hand buy though
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LukeBird
17,042 posts
78 months
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Like the look of it. Should be a hoot to drive as well. 
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dirty boy
12,764 posts
78 months
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Love the old Renaultsport Megane, not so keen on this incarnation sadly.
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Martin_Hx
1,924 posts
67 months
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Not that keen on it in white, but i bet its a great car, lets hope the interior is a little better than the old ones
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CypherP
4,193 posts
61 months
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I like this. Not a huge fan of the new nose design on the renaults, but i do like the general look and appeal of this megane.
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CarlT
2,510 posts
116 months
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amglover said: you would have to be mad to spend that much on a renault, maybe a good 2nd hand buy though I cant see the price in the article - or are you assuming?
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mattbvw
367 posts
84 months
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bobthemonkey said: any word on whether a slippy diff is available? Yes, it's part of the "Cup chassis" option. Seems Renault have learned from their past mistakes (i.e. Megane II - ages to get Cup chassis then LSD arrived later after that) and are now launching everything from day one - they did so on the latest Clio and Twingo too. If recent form is anything to go by it should be good to drive.
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