RE: Megane Renault Sport IV - Frankfurt 2017
Discussion
Ahbefive said:
I do wonder if 280bhp is enough though, my R26 has around 260bhp and I reckon it would be more fun with nearer 300 and its a fair bit lighter than this. I guess either the engine isn't good for much more or they don't want to overwhelm the chassis.
I agree.I cant help but feel the BHP output needs to start with a '3' these days on something like this.
And lets be honest, thats what will happen when the get round to a Trophy variant or similar....
k all if it weight 2 tonnes.Article said:
new cylinder head that was developed in conjunction with the Renault Formula 1 team
Thank goodness Honda didn't take that approach, otherwise the Civic Type R wouldn't have got around a lap of the Nurburgring at all. I really like this RS. I've had an itch for an RS Mégane for some time but at this stage in my life, I need a car with rear doors. I know the purists will be upset by that but it makes ownership more feasible when I have a young baby in tow. (Yes, you can get by with 3 doors but it's not at all easy with a child seat.)
More to the point, this is the first genuinely new development of the FWD hatch in a while. Honda have added more power and refined the mechanicals (if not the looks, in my opinion), Ford and VW have all but given up on FWD beyond a certain envelope and Seat haven't delivered anything more than more power. 4 wheel steer gives scope for some very exciting handling indeed.
A more boring question: Does anyone know if the 4 wheel steer affects the boot capacity?
blearyeyedboy said:
Thank goodness Honda didn't take that approach, otherwise the Civic Type R wouldn't have got around a lap of the Nurburgring at all.
Heh, harsh but probably true 
.blearyeyedboy said:
I really like this RS. I've had an itch for an RS Mégane for some time but at this stage in my life, I need a car with rear doors. I know the purists will be upset by that but it makes ownership more feasible when I have a young baby in tow.
Don't think that needs any justification. Two doors suck if you frequently need access to the rear bench. blearyeyedboy said:
More to the point, this is the first genuinely new development of the FWD hatch in a while... 4 wheel steer gives scope for some very exciting handling indeed.
Yup -- agree. But think SEAT deserve a bit of recognition for their fast estate and delivering the best vfm hot hatches in VAG land.Also really interested to find out what the 4WS on the new M4RS will be like. Sounds promising if done right. It is a pretty big car (longer than a Golf 7 and bigger boot) and certainly up to daily tasks for a family. And ff they can keep it nicely agile by means of 4WS... Sounds like having your gateaux and eating it
.blearyeyedboy said:
A more boring question: Does anyone know if the 4 wheel steer affects the boot capacity?
Don't think so. I don't know much about their system or who is making it, but all the current 4WS stuff is electromechanical, just a couple of actuators, adapted rear suspension + clever software. daemon said:
I agree. I cant help but feel the BHP output needs to start with a '3' these days on something like this.
Hm. Think that's a difficult one for Renault. On the one hand they are seen as class leaders, especially with the more extreme stuff. So one would expect class leading performance stats as well. On the other hand, the vast majority of sales will be to people that like a bit of performance but aren't track day regulars. For those I think it does not matter so much if the car is a bit under or over the 200 hp / ton marker.
Kolbenkopp said:
Yup -- agree. But think SEAT deserve a bit of recognition for their fast estate and delivering the best vfm hot hatches in VAG land.
Agreed. (I currently drive a MK3 Octavia vRS; I do like how VAG have done this generation.) But what I mean is that Seat aren't currently moving things on beyond more power and 4wd. To be fair to them, that's tricky without a whole new car which I doubt we'll get for some time.4ws could very well be excellent, if they get it right. For me that's the killer USP with the M4RS. I'm unlikely to track my own car so 280ish bhp is more than plenty for me.
daemon said:
I agree.
I cant help but feel the BHP output needs to start with a '3' these days on something like this.
And lets be honest, thats what will happen when the get round to a Trophy variant or similar....
Maybe it's been engineered in a way where it can deploy it's power much easier and better than the other FWD hot-hatches? Also, the Megane still has 280 ft-lb's, which is the exact same torque figure as the Leon Cupra 300.I cant help but feel the BHP output needs to start with a '3' these days on something like this.
And lets be honest, thats what will happen when the get round to a Trophy variant or similar....
The 4WS system is very interesting.
I had it before in a laguna coupe which was a massive car with a heavy 3.0 diesel in it. Was quite remarkable the way it drove, you could actually feel the 4WS working and the car rotating around you. It let you carry much more speed than you would have expected in such a big heavy old car. It was great fun, reminded me of driving the VAG haldex based systems somehow.
The other plus side was it had an amazingly small turning circle, and was a match for most city cars, made multi-storeys a synch.
I had it before in a laguna coupe which was a massive car with a heavy 3.0 diesel in it. Was quite remarkable the way it drove, you could actually feel the 4WS working and the car rotating around you. It let you carry much more speed than you would have expected in such a big heavy old car. It was great fun, reminded me of driving the VAG haldex based systems somehow.
The other plus side was it had an amazingly small turning circle, and was a match for most city cars, made multi-storeys a synch.
I quite like it, on paper. I think that if it drove half as well as the old one, then it'll be a right treat.
Bear in mind when the 250 came out, it was advertised with 250ps(247hp) Quite a few had in the region of 270hp, perhaps it may be the same again? So it may be a 300hp car all along?
Either way. The only potential negative I can see is the lack of Recaros. I've got the CS Sportsters in mine at the moment, which were fitted to the Focus RS' too, and they're brilliant seats, and a great upgrade. They standard ones do look better than the Mk3 std ones though.
I do kind of hope that the Megane sells better now it has an EDC option. The Mk3 is a rare car.
Bear in mind when the 250 came out, it was advertised with 250ps(247hp) Quite a few had in the region of 270hp, perhaps it may be the same again? So it may be a 300hp car all along?
Either way. The only potential negative I can see is the lack of Recaros. I've got the CS Sportsters in mine at the moment, which were fitted to the Focus RS' too, and they're brilliant seats, and a great upgrade. They standard ones do look better than the Mk3 std ones though.
I do kind of hope that the Megane sells better now it has an EDC option. The Mk3 is a rare car.
I approve of the fact that Renault aren't being lured into a bhp arms race. 280 bhp is quite enough in a hot hatch. Out and out power and speed is for bragging rights only, and the true measure of a car like this is how fun it is and how well it goes around corners.
Which is why I bought a Clio Trophy (not the new one).
Interested to hear what the motoring press thinks of the handing with 4 wheel steering.
The other issue is that this car replaces something beautiful. This one could reasonably be described as fugly, but all will be forgiven if it handles like a true RenaultSport should.
Which is why I bought a Clio Trophy (not the new one).
Interested to hear what the motoring press thinks of the handing with 4 wheel steering.
The other issue is that this car replaces something beautiful. This one could reasonably be described as fugly, but all will be forgiven if it handles like a true RenaultSport should.
I almost feel I ought apologise for bringing up PCP's...
Bearing in mind that this car has a good following and it's predecessor had a good reputation that came with half decent residuals, could we see Renault play the game that the Germans usually do? (Good residuals= better future guaranteed value % = lower PCP payments)
Now that more people buy on finance than in cash, that alone could boost sales for Renault. Not the most interesting forum topic but it might improve market share enough to secure the future of the Mégane Mk5 RS and beyond.
Bearing in mind that this car has a good following and it's predecessor had a good reputation that came with half decent residuals, could we see Renault play the game that the Germans usually do? (Good residuals= better future guaranteed value % = lower PCP payments)
Now that more people buy on finance than in cash, that alone could boost sales for Renault. Not the most interesting forum topic but it might improve market share enough to secure the future of the Mégane Mk5 RS and beyond.
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Friday 15th September 22:53
PS, Before I sound like all I care about is the finance...
I'm very excited by this. I think if 4WS works, and steering feel/fun survives the move to electric power steering, then this could be the most significant jump in"affordable" performance cars for a considerable time. Maybe I'm just weird but I'm more excited by that then I am by a Mercedes hypercar or TVR, probably because there's a realistic chance of having a M4RS in my garage some day.*
* Subject to Blearyeyedgirl agreeing and a more sober paint job!
I'm very excited by this. I think if 4WS works, and steering feel/fun survives the move to electric power steering, then this could be the most significant jump in"affordable" performance cars for a considerable time. Maybe I'm just weird but I'm more excited by that then I am by a Mercedes hypercar or TVR, probably because there's a realistic chance of having a M4RS in my garage some day.*
* Subject to Blearyeyedgirl agreeing and a more sober paint job!
blearyeyedboy said:
PS, Before I sound like all I care about is the finance...
I'm very excited by this. I think if 4WS works, and steering feel/fun survives the move to electric power steering, then this could be the most significant jump in"affordable" performance cars for a considerable time. Maybe I'm just weird but I'm more excited by that then I am by a Mercedes hypercar or TVR, probably because there's a realistic chance of having a M4RS in my garage some day.*
* Subject to Blearyeyedgirl agreeing and a more sober paint job!
What's you're "affordable" price in your mind? Focus RS/BMW 140i/Civic Type R/Golf R are all doing something quite impressive at that point already £30kish I'm very excited by this. I think if 4WS works, and steering feel/fun survives the move to electric power steering, then this could be the most significant jump in"affordable" performance cars for a considerable time. Maybe I'm just weird but I'm more excited by that then I am by a Mercedes hypercar or TVR, probably because there's a realistic chance of having a M4RS in my garage some day.*
* Subject to Blearyeyedgirl agreeing and a more sober paint job!
When I ordered the Focus RS, I did glance but never tested the Megane Cup S as it could be bought for about £24k with all the right bits back then - now that was an impressive option, had I wanted to stay FWD I would have gone and tried it for sure, I'll go drive this one when it lands just for the experience - I'm also happy that Renault have gone for the "let's make it fun" approach rather than on paper figures
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