Wednesday 18th September 2013

Renault Megane RB8: Driven

Shameless cashing-in on F1 success or another great limited edition Renault? PH finds out

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Formula 1 special editions always tempt cynicism. Often they're just a shameless attempt to cash in on the popularity of a team or driver (Stilo Schumacher anyone?) with little tangible improvement on the standard car but a significant price hike. And when was the last time anyone coveted an F1 gearbox?

Red Bull add-ons are actually quite subtle

Still, when the base car is a Renaultsport Megane, it's unlikely to be a spudder. The Red Bull RB8 has been produced to mark Red Bull's triple triumph in the F1 Drivers' and Constructors' titles, marked in 2012. The full story on the tweaks is here, but the RB8 is essentially a Twilight Blue Megane 265 Cup with the 19-inch Steev wheels and some Red Bull embellishments. The new Renault R-Link infotainment system and the second-gen Renaultsport Monitor also feature. Both of these will be available on the regular Megane 265 soon.

From the spec sheet then, it shouldn't be dissimilar to the standard 265. And yet... no, actually, it's just like the standard car in fact.

But then having a car just like a regular 265 is of course no bad thing. Not only did Chris Harris rate it over the Focus ST and Astra VXR, it's also seen off an M135i with us. Yet again, Renault has exhibited a hot hatch masterclass.

Brembos standard with Cup pack

It rained a lot during our time with the RB8, but if anything that shows off its dynamic excellence even further. A FWD car this powerful just shouldn't have the traction that it does, the combination of the LSD and PerfoHub suspension allowing huge amounts of power to be deployed in sodden conditions.

Wet or dry though, the RB8 is just so damn fast. That 2.0-litre turbo is indefatigable, pulling hard enough throughout the rev range to make the 6,500rpm limiter seem conservative. Here the change-up light isn't a gimmick It feels turbocharged in the best way, offering a big shove in the in the mid range but willingly revving out also. Allied to that diff, the Megane just chomps through tarmac, clawing at the road to find the next corner.

Then the real fun starts. Because everything the front end does is relayed so accurately, you can be confident it will go exactly where it's placed. Feeling fast? Pick up the throttle and the diff will haul the front round with maybe a hint of understeer. Come out of the throttle and the rear pushes wide, nosing the front in further; throttle pulls the car straight again and you'll feel like Francois Delecour bend after bend.

Still brilliant, but no better than a regular 265

The Recaros only enhance the tarmac rally car aura, giving great support at the shoulders, hips and thighs. The pedals are great for some fancy footwork too.

But we knew all this before, didn't we? That's because they're the same dynamic virtues shared with the standard 265. The new Renaultsport Monitor works very well, offering a wealth of information and USB-based options. The R-Link is intuitive also, but neither has fundamentally changed the Megane; for a cosseting hatch, look elsewhere.

Unless you're particularly keen on the Red Bull F1 team or want a very exclusive Megane, the RB8 doesn't offer anything significant over the standard car for a £3,405 premium.

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RENAULTSPORT MEGANE 265 RB8
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo 
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 265@3,000rpm
0-62mph: 6.0sec
Top speed: 158mph
Weight: 1,379kg
MPG: 37.7mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 174g/km
Price: £28,245 (£29,370 as tested inc. £200 for extra tinted rear and tailgate windows, £250 for keyless entry, £95 for spare wheel and £580 for Climate Pack inc. climate control, auto lights and wipers)

[V8 FOU]

As the old adage goes... If you want to sell more do a limited edition...

Not worth the £3K tho'

[PtheP]

I really, really like those wheels. I'd give it 10 for the wheels. The rest? Not sure really. Don't know if it's the angle or a trick of the light but those rear arches look so wrong.

[nickfrog]

It does look good if you can remove all the naff stickers. I thought 18' wheels were a better bet on those based on a few owners and EVO's own long termer ?

[dukebox9reg]

As I stated in the 1 series vs Megane thread. This looks really tacky in the flesh/metal.

The silver trim looks too much like an afterthought.

Its smacks of your dad trying to look cool.

Could probably get away with it if not for the spoiler.

Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 18th September 13:58

[Roma101]

It's worth noting that the RB8 gets the monitor/R Link, 19" wheels and Recaros as standard. That lot would cost you almost 3 grand on the options list for a standard 265 Cup. Therefore, a Cup with those options would cost more than the RB8 (although not be a huge amount). For me, the Recaros would be essential and the other two "most likelies". Suppose it comes down to the paint job/stickers and whether you like them or not.

[Roma101]

Roma101 said:

It's worth noting that the RB8 gets the monitor/R Link, 19" wheels and Recaros as standard. That lot would cost you almost 3 grand on the options list for a standard 265 Cup. Therefore, a Cup with those options would cost more than the RB8 (although not be a huge amount). For me, the Recaros would be essential and the other two "most likelies". Suppose it comes down to the paint job/stickers and whether you like them or not.

Should add that, unless Renault have changed their prices recently, the article is wrong. The RB8 is £2,700 more expensive than the Cup. The £3,400 odd quoted at the end of the article includes optional extras on the RB8, so the comparison is not like for like.

[SeanyD]

37.7mpg?? Not a chance.

[David87]

This would be good, but the whole range has just been facelifted and so this RB8 edition is out-of-date already.

[MNut]

They can call it anything they want and it may well be the best fwd hatch but it's fugly.

[Cold Fusion]

It is probably a good car but it will never have the same following as the Clio V6's.

[Roma101]

SeanyD said:

37.7mpg?? Not a chance.

Indeed. Amazes me how the car industry can still get away with such fraudulent claims! Or alternativley don't have to make it clear that if you want to get near the combined figure you have to be doing 20% under the speed limit, down hill with a prevailing wind.

[NGK210]

Nice colour, wheels and chairs. Don't suppose it's possible to spec a standard car with all of the aforementioned - ie, have an RB8 but minus all of the Red Bull branding?

Edited by NGK210 on Wednesday 18th September 18:23

[cmbayes]

Really surprises me that manufactures don't use small engines tweaks to boost the desirability of this type of limited editions (Nismo / TRD etc)

Add another 10-15bhp with a mild remap and it would sell itself and probably would command a higher premium, regardless that the consumer would hardly notice the difference.

[Technomatt]

You would need to be mad to buy one.

Renault do a 20% VAT free deal on any spec new Megane 265....... but not on the RB8.

A new similar spec 265 to the RB8 without the RB8 naff paint and stickers would be about £5000 cheaper.

Or you could have the basic 265 Cup with the 20% off for about £21K.

[framerateuk]

SeanyD said:

37.7mpg?? Not a chance.

27mpg average for me.

I've seen almost 37mpg on a motoroway run from Cardiff to Donington.

[SeanyD]

framerateuk said:

SeanyD said:

37.7mpg?? Not a chance.

27mpg average for me.

I've seen almost 37mpg on a motoroway run from Cardiff to Donington.

That's approx. 25% down on their claimed combined. My old f1 230 I'd struggle to even hit 27 unless driving like Miss Daisy (constant 65 mph n a motorway on cruise control), defeating the purpose of such a good car.

[hwajones]

Inexcusably ugly regardless of how well it drives...

[Dblue]

hwajones said:

Inexcusably ugly regardless of how well it drives...

Well its a personal thing I guess but I have never had a car attract more positive comment form casual observers than my Trophy.
liquid Yellow helps but I , and it seems, lots of others find the Megane a very good looking car.

[WCZ]

equally stupid as porsches special editions

[Penneth]

NGK210 said:

Nice colour, wheels and chairs. Don't suppose it's possible to spec a standard car with all of the aforementioned - ie, have an RB8 but minus all of the Red Bull branding?

Edited by NGK210 on Wednesday 18th September 18:23

Yes it is possible, apart from the colour.