Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup/Megane R26: PH Fleet

Or should that be Megane 250? Ben upgrades his Renaultsport collection...

Now about that other Megane. It looked fantastic in Liquid Yellow, it was quick, the limited-slip diff was impressive and it was a lot more comfortable than the Clio. I liked it, but I didn't love it. And given that I have a PhD in Man Maths, it was only a matter of time until I worked out I could get myself into a Mk3 Megane. So only four months after buying the R26 230 F1 Edition, here I am with an Oyster Grey Renaultsport Megane 250 'Lux' with Cup pack, commonly referred to as a 'full fat' car. This time, I really do love it.

One Megane has gone...

The benefit of having the standard 250 Lux is that I get a few more comforts over a Cup as standard, such as dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, heated seats and keyless entry. But then with the addition of the Cup pack, I get a limited-slip differential, stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, grooved brake discs and some shiny red four-pot Brembo brake calipers. Getting down to the numbers, I've got 250hp (funny that), 251lb ft and the car weighs in at 1,387kg. Not all too different from the 230hp/229lb ft in my last Megane, especially as the newer one is 42kg heavier. But boy, does it feel like a totally different car to drive.

For starters, the interior has come on a long way and even though the design is seven years old, it doesn't feel too dated. There are no (or at least fewer) squeaks and rattles, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth and turn on your heated seats if it gets a bit chilly. Lovely. The ride is firm, but feels less crashy and thanks to the incredible chassis and suspension wizardry, the car feels like it's moving with the road, opposed to just darting around on top of it. Very much like the old car, lean on the throttle into a corner and the mechanical differential pulls you tighter into the turn before projecting you out the other side - it really is a sensational drive.

... another one has replaced it...

Power delivery feels more linear so it's happily docile when pottering, but there's still enough sensation of boost to make it exciting when you're pushing on. It won't be standard for long - you're probably noticing a theme with my cars here - and there'll certainly be more boost on the way. In fact, my only criticisms of the car so far are that the standard exhaust doesn't make much noise and the speakers are a bit rubbish, although the former does make some nice pops in sport mode.

After creating a bit of a wish list on K-Tec Racing's website, I started off by ordering a set of their braided lines, which were fitted with Carbon Lorraine RC5+ pads and a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres ahead of my first track day in VU11 WLD at Rockingham with Renaultsport. What I hadn't prepared myself for was the sheer difference in pace and cornering speed compared to my little Clio. Sure, it feels heavier under braking but then it is over 350kg heavier. That's the equivalent of loading 14 bags of sand up in the boot. In standard form, it feels more sensitive to throttle and brake inputs when cornering compared to the Clio and as I found out several times, loves a bit of lift-off oversteer. Once I worked out how to keep that in check, I was lapping with so much confidence in the car that I never wanted to come in. When a car can perform this well out of the box, it baffles me how more of them were not sold.

... and the Clio is going too. Got it?

It was an incredible first flat out experience at Rockingham, and it has left me eager for more track time. Oh, and a new set of brake discs. Accelerating towards a concrete wall into turn one on a banked corner keeps your concentration levels high; it's more terrifying than going flat through Eau Rouge. Luckily for the Megane, I've made the decision to take it to Anglesey for the next round of the Javelin Sprint Series in replacement of the Clio.

Sadly for the Clio, this is the end of my time with it, as I've decided I just can't justify keeping it anymore as I rarely pick up the keys to take it out on the road. My two years with my 182 Trophy and latterly my 172 Cup have been immense fun, but I'm ready for the next step and the Megane has proven itself as a worthy replacement for track use. It'll be an emotional farewell when it does come to selling it, but it probably won't be the last time I own a Renaultsport Clio.

Thanks to Renaultsport for having me along to the Rockingham track day.

FACT SHEET
Car: 2002 Renault Clio 172 Cup
Run by: Ben Lowden
Bought: May 2016
Mileage: 35,711
Last month at a glance: Time might be up for the Ben and the Clio...

Previous reports:
Trophy out and Cup in as Ben changes Clios
Super Spa in Clio Cup!
Rubber swap for slipperier surfaces

Car: 2011 Renaultsport Megane 250 Lux
Run by: Ben Lowden
Bought: May 2017
Mileage: 55,310
Last month at a glance: ...but don't worry, there's another Renaultsport hot hatch here!

Read more about Ben's old Megane here.