Thursday 22nd June 2017

New Renault Sport Megane spied on the Nurburgring

Is another FWD record being planned?

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Yes, yes, another batch of fast Megane pictures. But we make no apologies for featuring them because a) it's replacing one of the best hot hatches ever made and b) we're still a little wary of what it might be like.

One for the exhaust hall of shame

When the previous-gen Clio was replaced by the current car, its range of abilities was broadened but its raw edge was lost. While it would be understandable for that to happen to an extent with this Megane - how many of the previous model did you actually see on the road - let's hope the magic is not smothered quite as much as with the smaller car.

So far we know the Megane will be five-door only, have a dual-clutch gearbox option and be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show. Here we have our first look at the car on the Nurburgring and the roads around it; Meganes and the Nordschleife of course have some history, with both the R26.R and Trophy-R claiming FWD lap records in their time. Could Renault Sport now be attempting the record with the first of a new generation, rather than the last?

Go Megane, go!

We'll have to wait and see, but the test laps have at least afforded us a better look at the car. New details that have emerged on this mule include a rather dubious fake exhaust/diffuser combo but also big Brembo brake calipers and some more aggressive (disguised) front intakes. There are also a selection of wheels on show here, suggesting there could be a more focused track package of wheel and tyre.

Whatever is offered, this is going to be a different Renault Sport Megane to the cars we have become used to. Will that make it a better Renault Sport Megane? We can't wait to find out!

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[Porsche911R]

If it's a 5 door it's dead to hot hatch fans.

[Porsche911R]

Quickmoose said:

this.

Cars grow with the new tech.
Crash regs grow to keep pace
Cars grow to keep in line with crash regs
SUVs
Crash regs grow to cater for SUVs
Cars grow to keep in line with crash regs
Car weight continues to grow to allow for even more (mostly pointless imo) car tech
Crash regs change to cater for car weight
Cars grow to cater for crash regs

Big cars need design tricks to keep them looking in any way decent.
Massive headlights
floating roof lines
blacked out pillars
Huge door mirrors
complex creases and panel shut lines
massive wheels
massive doors...or additional doors

"Hot hatches" started out as 3 door.
now they're 5 door
It's not particularly shallow to bemoan the change if you don't like it... yes they're meant to be a mix of practicality and 'sportiness'... fine...so give us choice maybe? the mass majority direction isn't always the right one.... every lazy driver chooses DCT so now we can't have a manual? I think a few cars recently have shown there is still room for the stick....
I know I won't be happy the day the top of the line Lamborghini goes forced induction, fully auto, ev and 4 door....
that'll be fine for the majority though right...so equally as acceptable?



The mass market sectors are struggling to hold on to 'style'

I just see balding over weight dads in 5 doors lol a Hot hatch has to be 3 for me sorry , stuck in my ways.

For me a Hot hatch is about freedom, young single men enjoying cars, not over weight dads who have a bit of cash and need a 5 door and a baby seat, it's a bad look lol.

we all know it's to cut costs but 5 door Hot hatch's look st.

Edited by Porsche911R on Thursday 22 June 17:03