RE: Renault launches 300hp Megane R.S. Trophy

[Escort Si-130]

How could you not like the wheels

budgie smuggler said:

Not massively keen on the wheels but overall a great looking car. Hope it drives as nicely as it looks.

[blearyeyedboy]

nickfrog said:

aelord said:

Why do manual punters have to make do with less torque? Chocolate clutch?

That's quite strange indeed and does that also mean that the rev limit is higher to offset that and get the same watts ?

Emissions requirement, perhaps?

[renmure]

I wouldn’t swap my Type-R for one of these, but It does look good and I would probably have gone to a dealer for a closer look and perhaps had a test drive when I was shopping for a hot hatch. Couldn’t say the same for the Golf or RS.

[Kolbenkopp]

Escort Si-130 said:

How could you not like the wheels

budgie smuggler said:

Not massively keen on the wheels but overall a great looking car. Hope it drives as nicely as it looks.

Eye of the beholder and all that, but I much prefer alloy wheels with less fussy styling, reasonbly light and bonus points if easy to clean.
The Mégane wheels here are nothing like that.

Also think that 18" is the best compromise size wise. There's a bit of sidewall left, great choice of rubber (e.g. thanks to the i30N, Michelin will continue supplying a PSS in 225/40/18 for a while) and usually a good choice of lightish rims that don't cost a fortume. Sparco Assetos, Speedline Marmoras, Proline PXF, Autec Wizard, Teamdynamics... That sort of stufff...

Back to the topic: that Trophy looks good! Like the attention to detail, big brakes + light discs, exhaust with analogue "silly mode", the seats... I hope it does well.

As others have noted, so much out there and no car is a truly bad choice.

Golf GTI Performance
Golf R
Seat Leon Cupra
Skoda Octavia VRS
Peugeot 308 GTI
Renault Megane RS
Honda Civic Type R
Hyundai i30N
Focus ST
Focus RS
Alfa Gulietta Veloce

[Onehp]

nickfrog said:

aelord said:

Why do manual punters have to make do with less torque? Chocolate clutch?

That's quite strange indeed and does that also mean that the rev limit is higher to offset that and get the same watts ?

Clutch indeed, and some extra margin for folks that don't know you let go of it completely before you push on...

Peak power will just be reached a tad later indeed if that happens at their respective peak torque which is at 5267rpm instead of 5000rpm, still far removed from the rev limit. But more likely peak power is made a bit higher up, e.g. at 6000rpm only 350Nm is needed to make 300hp...

[Deep Thought]

renmure said:

I wouldn’t swap my Type-R for one of these, but It does look good and I would probably have gone to a dealer for a closer look and perhaps had a test drive when I was shopping for a hot hatch. Couldn’t say the same for the Golf or RS.

+1

I'd maybe look at one of these come time to change our Mini Cooper S.

Likewise i dont think i'd entertain a Golf or Ford RS

[Test driver]

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

[Deep Thought]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

Because with the RS models (with one or two exceptions) they've been brilliant drivers cars.

I'd had three Clio RS's. Fantastic cars.

[WCZ]

renmure said:

I wouldn’t swap my Type-R for one of these, but It does look good and I would probably have gone to a dealer for a closer look and perhaps had a test drive when I was shopping for a hot hatch. Couldn’t say the same for the Golf or RS.

it will be interesting to see if it can knock the type r off the throne in terms of driving dynamics

[Tickle]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

Owned Renault or Renault Sport?

[Martyn76]

Deep Thought said:

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

Because with the RS models (with one or two exceptions) they've been brilliant drivers cars.

I'd had three Clio RS's. Fantastic cars.

Same here, had my Clio !82 for 3 yrs and 50K miles with no issues, grumbles about the dealers I can understand but for me the 3 Renaults I've owned (Laguna, Clio and Scenic) have been perfectly reliable.

This Megane looks great BTW!

[loose cannon]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

Perhaps it just your view is about 15 years or so out of date

[nickfrog]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

I genuinely don't know what fanboyism is. Some people make rational decisions without pre-conceived ideas. The outgoing RS Megane has gathered an almost universally agreed reputation for solidity / reliability and despite how popular they are as track cars. On that basis the new one has to be one of the best long term propositions. And that's before you consider the driving experience and versatiliy / trackability.

[Track_Cit]

nickfrog said:

I genuinely don't know what fanboyism is. Some people make rational decisions without pre-conceived ideas. The outgoing RS Megane has gathered an almost universally agreed reputation for solidity / reliability and despite how popular they are as track cars. On that basis the new one has to be one of the best long term propositions. And that's before you consider the driving experience and versatiliy / trackability.

This.

I'm on my third RS car and they've all been amazing and used daily for work / blats / trackdays etc, and I've had zero problems with any of the cars (fingers crossed!).

This antiquated view that RS products are unreliable and poorly built is just nonsense and very unjustified. Ok, so perhaps older Renaults weren't known for their reliability and build but they've come on a long way in recent years. Credit where it's due, AND, they are more engaging and enjoyable to drive than about 75% of the competitors offerings.

I like this new Trophy, I wonder if they'll pitch it for the Ring Lap time? In theory it should be this model as the Civic has done it with 4/5 seats and the road going version of the car, albeit with a cage, whereas the Trophy R is more extreme and not an 'average' hot hatch per se. What do we think.

Edited by Track_Cit on Friday 20th July 13:44

[blearyeyedboy]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

Having had a Mk 1 Mégane nearly kill me with a steering failure, I understand your scepticism. That, I hope, does away with any suggestion that I'm a fanboi. But that was 20 years ago, and Renaults have moved on.

Should people avoid the Focus RS because of the whole Ford Pinto exploding fuel tank incident? Or should we beware the A45 AMG because a previous generation of A Class failed the elk test?

Renault went through a very dodgy patch, but are now comparable to their rivals. I doubt it'd match an unmodified Civic Type R for reliability, but I'd have equal faith in this and in a Golf over 100,000 miles. Having poked around/ had a go of a Focus ST, I'd have less faith in a modern Ford than in this Mégane.

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Friday 20th July 14:04

[wab172uk]

Test driver said:

Of all the hot hatches the Renault has got to be one of the worst long term propositions. Having had Renaults before the whole experience was disappointing and with constant faults.

I really can’t understand the fanboy following they get, but each to their own.

I used to think that. The MKII Clio 172 RS I bought brand new, squeeked, rattled, and generally annoyed me every time I drove it. Worst car I've ever owned. Dealer are even worse than the cars. Swore blind I'd never own another Renault.

Zip forward to over 3 years ago. I needed a run-a-round, and was looking for something small, fun and cheap. Heard good thing about the Twingo RS. Went along to test drive one, expecting to hate it. Test drive later, it was mine. A MKII RS in Red.

Small, cheap, and great fun to drive. Reminds me of the 106 GTI I owned in my early twenties. Apart from the exhaust blowing earlier this year (replaced with a Powerflow system) the car has been totally reliable ....... touch wood.

Yes, it's cheap inside, and the new Megane won't hold a candle to an Audi in terms of fit, finish, and material quality. But they work. And as the Megane costs significantly less than any German equivalent, while being far more fun to drive in the process. I really don't think you can go wrong with this new Megane.

[Kenny Powers]

Let’s be honest though. With all the best will in the world, despite being fabulous driver’s cars, they have a fairly modern history of crumbling gearboxes, melting steering wheels, threadbare seats, and dealers that don’t care, if you can even find one.

I’m not knocking them here, I love Renaultsport, but let’s not kid ourselves and pretend they’re a paragon of motoring in every area. Great to drive, terrible to own, is not too far away from a reasonable statement to make

[nickfrog]

Kenny Powers said:

they have a fairly modern history of crumbling gearboxes, melting steering wheels, threadbare seats, and dealers that don’t care, if you can even find one.

I’m not knocking them here, I love Renaultsport, but let’s not kid ourselves and pretend they’re a paragon of motoring in every area. Great to drive, terrible to own, is not too far away from a reasonable statement to make

I find it quite an unreasonable statement when it comes to the MK3 Megane RS. And in all likelihood about its replacement, which we are talking about here.

[Kenny Powers]

nickfrog said:

I find it quite an unreasonable statement when it comes to the MK3 Megane RS. And in all likelihood about its replacement, which we are talking about here.

Yeah that’s fair enough, and it’s only a statement of opinion, not fact. People will judge based on their own past experiences. Only natural really.

I’m not trying to insult this car or anyone who buys it. I’m sure it’s awesome and I’m sure they’ll be happy. I’m merely trying to add some credence as to why some folk think it will be a bad ownership experience

Honestly it looks so good that I want one irrespective

[Trophy Husband]

This would be at the top of my list if I was in the market for a hot hatch. Unfortunately business dictates that I am in a Ranger Wildtrak which is not exactly a driver's car!

Comments regarding reliability are not in my experience. I had a 172 cup new in 2003 and did 160,000 miles in 6 years with absolutely no trouble bar the usual servicing. It was still on the original clutch when I gave it to my brother who put another 30,000 on the clock before moving it on. Perhaps the big heart in the little car meant that the engine was not stressed. I drove the pants off it every mile and it never missed a beat. Same goes for my Trophy.