Renault Megane Sports - lap times

[veevee]

300bhp/ton said:

veevee said:

But the Elise/Exige are built from the ground up as track cars, wheras this is a very focused hatch - maybe a better comparison would be the Focus RS?

+ it matches the SC Elise time.

I don't see the RS as an alternative at all. Totally different ethos and design principle behind it IMO.

Focus - Sharpened up FWD hatch built from a mass market model with similar power and a techy LSD.

Elise - purpose built, lightweight, RWD, mid engined, 2 seat sports car.




I see what you mean.

[Derek Chevalier]

NISR227 said:

Build quality has got better but are still way behind german rivals, but they are all about the driving.

Edited by NISR227 on Sunday 15th April 19:41

You mean the grab handles aren't as well damped?

[300bhp/ton]

veevee said:

Focus - Sharpened up FWD hatch built from a mass market model with similar power and a techy LSD.

Elise - purpose built, lightweight, RWD, mid engined, 2 seat sports car.




I see what you mean.

The Focus retains it's hatch inspired usability and practicality. If anything it's been turned into more of a touring GT than anything and could easily fulfill a similar purpose to what an Aston V8 would but with extra seats and boot space.

Yes it's quick and handles well, but it's big, heavy and hasn't been built to be light and nimble.


On the flip side the R26.r is somewhat bonkers and is clearly aimed at a totally different purpose and driver. You get the feeling had the design guys been truly aloud off the leash they'd have produced something like Renault Spyder or maybe the Clio V6. But they weren't, they were restricted by using a FWD hatch platform and this time where likely told (or didn't have the budget) to move the engine to the middle. So they did the best they could.

They wanted a 2 seater coupe but had to work with a 5 seater hatch. In the absence of being allowed to chop the body up and thus require unique tooling, the engineers decided the only way they could get a 2 seater coupe was to remove the rear seats and add a half cage. It's hardly the ideal solution, but I think it shows the ethos and intent are correct and at a polar opposite to the Focus RS.

Now look at the rest of the r26.r, none of it is about power, brawn or big styling. Every single change is aimed at weight reduction, driver focus, handling and grip. Which to me sounds rather like the ethos most Lotus cars are built against, only the Lotus guys get to start with a 2 seat sports car not a hatchback.

[Derek Chevalier]

veevee said:

300bhp/ton said:

veevee said:

List it against some other hot hatches if you think that's more fair?

Which small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?

Very few road cars are built as track tools. At least not by mainstream mass production car makers for this price point. So the r26.r enjoys a degree of exclusivity. I didn't get it at first but I think I do now. It's not really a hot hatch, it's a performance coupe that just happens to wear hot hatch clothes. I guess on some level an Elise or Exige is the same type of focus albeit different in end product. But it's cars like those that I'd personally consider as alternatives to the r26.r

But the Elise/Exige are built from the ground up as track cars, wheras this is a very focused hatch - maybe a better comparison would be the Focus RS?

+ it matches the SC Elise time.

I'm not convinced the Elise is built as a track car.

[Swifter]

Maty said:

I've currently got an 08 RS Megane, diesel version though unfortunately so very un'PH to say the least. However the handling is unbelieveable for a FWD diesel hatch, I did quite a few years racing FWD cars and I've driven quite a few hot hatches, some on track but nothing compares to the Megane. I'd love a go of an R26, I can't imagine how good they as well as the RS250 if mine is anything to go by.

On the flip side though my 14 month old son could have screwed it together better than Renault did. Honestly the build quality is beyond shocking, to drive it round day to day is just a test in how long your patience will last before you start prodding and pushing at interior trim to "see if that's where the noise is coming from". For that reason alone I hate the thing, but show it a decent road and I absolutely love it!

I hear the newer RS250 are much better build quality wise, I'd be tempted to give it a go but they don't offer a diesel version anymore and my annual mileage just can't justify a petrol.

Strange, my 07 R26 has only one annoying rattle, and thats the Recaro child seat in the back.

[Grovsie26]

papercup said:

<looks at car history>

<wanders off>

What the fact they had high revving exciting engines, a great gearchange, good noise and n/a.

Cya!

[loose cannon]

Ph the home of badge snobs,
Every thread is full of them lol
Personally the less renaultsports sold mean I get to keep a car that simply eradicates anything in its class and with the added bonus that I don't see another on the road for months,
Don't like don't buy I'll still be enjoying mine :0)

[Mouse1903]

I've decided on a 265 Trophy or a 265 Facelift with the Cup chassis as my next car in a couple of years. Went to test drive one on Sunday but unfortunately wouldn't let me with 5 points on my license. A shame yet I probably don't need to drive it to know how good it will be. Sat in it and build quality is certainly as good as if not better than my Dad's old Mk5 Golf GTI. Controls all to hand, only disappointment is the thin steering wheel (my Abarth has a lovely fat steering wheel). Would definitely have to have the Recaro's too!

Not sure whether to hunt for a 265 Trophy due to it's rarity and the possibility it will hold it's value better?

[loose cannon]

Just get a 265 with leather recaro and more toys IMO the trophy is nice still but more spartan inside, depends what you want on the inside of the car, the only difference a trophy has on a 250 is different tyres and a small remap, plus liquid yellow paint if you chose it, the facelift has the extra grunt and all the toys if you require them, clocked up nearly 40k in my 250 in just under 2 years not bored of it just yet.

[Mouse1903]

loose cannon said:

Just get a 265 with leather recaro and more toys IMO the trophy is nice still but more spartan inside, depends what you want on the inside of the car, the only difference a trophy has on a 250 is different tyres and a small remap, plus liquid yellow paint if you chose it, the facelift has the extra grunt and all the toys if you require them, clocked up nearly 40k in my 250 in just under 2 years not bored of it just yet.

Yeah I'm swaying towards the facelift, due to it essentially being the same car but with more toys. 1 year old 250's can be had for bargain prices. A lot of car for the money. Never see a lot of the 250's on the road, then I read somewhere they sold only around 400 in the last couple of years or so, that's exactly what attracts me to it too

[Diamond blue]

loose cannon said:

Ph the home of badge snobs,
Every thread is full of them lol
Personally the less renaultsports sold mean I get to keep a car that simply eradicates anything in its class and with the added bonus that I don't see another on the road for months,
Don't like don't buy I'll still be enjoying mine :0)

Very true I'm afraid in just about every forum on here. I would have thought that on a site where BMW CSLs and Volvos (WTF!) have their own section that Renaultsport would justify one too but I guess there's just not enough owners on here. Populating their own marque specific sites no doubt but I would have thought Renaultsport is the absolute essence of "Pistonheads"