Monday 7th March 2005

Renault beefs up Mégane

Better chassis, brakes and steering but no more power

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Renault is offering a beefed up version of the Mégane Renault Sport. The Trophy Limited Edition offers a stiffer suspension, for which Renault claims 10 per cent lower roll angles, 25 per cent higher spring rates and less understeer.

The running gear has been revised, with drilled brakes discs added, and a bigger brake master cylinder for better pedal feel. The car gets new perforated 18-inch wheels which save 1.5Kg per corner, wrapped in 235/40 R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres.

The steering hasn't escaped attention either, with the new electric system -- in common with all Méganes, using a splined, tube-in-tube sliding joint to connect the two sections of the column. Renault says that this provides a more positive feel around the centre point, and that there's better feel from the road surface.

Apart from a few cosmetic tweaks though, that's it. There's no more grunt, the Mégane Trophy limited edition retaining the F4Rt 2.0 16v turbocharged unit, that develops 225bhp at 5,500rpm and torque of 221lb-ft at 3,000rpm, with at least 90 per cent of torque available between 2,000 and 6,000rpm. It's teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox.

[dinkel]

So why would I buy a 2005 VW GTI?

[nickjm]

dinkel said:

So why would I buy a 2005 VW GTI?

Because it hasn't got an engine named after a bodily function? F4Rt!

Sorry, first ever post and it's very very childish

[jimmyjimjim]

dinkel said:

So why would I buy a 2005 VW GTI?

Because it doesn't have a rear end that makes you cringe?

[Vee-X]

jimmyjimjim said:

dinkel said: So why would I buy a 2005 VW GTI? Because it doesn't have a rear end that makes you cringe?

very true it has nothing that makes you cringe, nothing that tweaks anything to be honest, looks wise it is a golf, same as every golf before it, not a bad thing, just not a new thing either.
horses for courses and all that.

[LeeP-CS]

Having driven both the Megane 1.4 16V, own a 1.6 16V and driven to my hearts content one of the 225 - let me tell you that it is not a car to be laughed at. It pulls away quicker than a lot of highly padded out cars out there. Colours and trims are an extra design to the car - its a Megane but with some more style and asggresion about it. A Golf GTI? Not really - theyre ten-a-penny. A Megane 225 - how many have you seen as of yet? Theyre an awesome car, would love to have one and performance wise are stunning. These engines will run all day long for you, excite you and quench your need for speed / handling / looks.

Lee

[pmanson]

LeeP-CS said:

Having driven both the Megane 1.4 16V, own a 1.6 16V and driven to my hearts content one of the 225 - let me tell you that it is not a car to be laughed at. It pulls away quicker than a lot of highly padded out cars out there. Colours and trims are an extra design to the car - its a Megane but with some more style and asggresion about it. A Golf GTI? Not really - theyre ten-a-penny. A Megane 225 - how many have you seen as of yet? Theyre an awesome car, would love to have one and performance wise are stunning. These engines will run all day long for you, excite you and quench your need for speed / handling / looks. Lee

Seen one in a burnt orange colour and it looked very good!

[sanderrr]

LeeP-CS said:

A Megane 225 - how many have you seen as of yet?

Need I say more? You haven't seen that many because it isn't a very good car.

- seats are set way too high
- gearbox action far from slick
- no independant rear suspension, average in corners
- Hatchback: poor space in the boot

Well, not much different from a regular Megane then

[gazzab]

'sore' a burnt orange one today. Hmmmm. Shatsuma I say.

[ib2_1]

i hav not seen any of the new meganes except for the base 1.6 litre models. the neww 225 trophy looks magnif and i would think about buying one if the price is right and everything else workes well aswell e.g steering, suspension etc