Sunday 25th June 2017

New Renault Sport Megane details

Four-wheel steer for the first time, plus the return of the Cup chassis

---

This is good timing, and makes PH look remarkably prescient for once. Just yesterday we saw spy shots of the new Megane Renault Sport, with different wheels suggesting that some kind of track package might be offered.

Wouldn't leave the windows down in there...

Today, there's official confirmation from Renault that both a Sport and a Cup chassis will be offered on the next Renault Sport Megane. This has been a mainstay of the Megane range for a while of course, the first Cup arriving in 2005 and taking on the improvements introduced by the contemporary Trophy.

It doesn't sound like much is changing in terms of aim for the two chassis set ups, Sport described as combining "high performance and ride comfort in everyday use" and Cup billed as "engineered to deliver the ultimate track performance experience." In addition, with Renault stating a choice between the two chassis rather than models, it sounds like the cars will be identical bar chassis tune - a 'Full Fat' model, as seen in the past where a Cup chassis is added to the standard model, looks unlikely this time. However, that has not been confirmed yet.

Also announced today for the next Megane is the 4Control four-wheel steer, as seen on the Megane GT and described on these pages as "an effective alternative but a less engaging one." Hmm. Renault says the car has a specific tune for this model and that it takes the car's performance "to new limits".

And that's it for now, the full reveal still a couple of months away at Frankfurt. More news as it becomes available...

[KPB1973]

No further word of adaptive dampers then? Surely they would combine the advantages of 'cup' and 'sport' into one setup and given everyone the best of both worlds (and simplified the range offering, production processes etc).

[Krikkit]

KPB1973 said:

No further word of adaptive dampers then? Surely they would combine the advantages of 'cup' and 'sport' into one setup and given everyone the best of both worlds (and simplified the range offering, production processes etc).

In my experience adaptive dampers do anything but in all but the most ridiculously expensive form. I'd much rather have fixed-rate with proper setup done.

I think this looks rather smashing, even the standard cars look pretty good for a humdrum-mobile.

[lewisf182]

I do think the new Megane from the ones I've seen does look particularly good, especially the rear light arrangement. Looking forward to seeing an RS in the flesh hopefully it's got a good wide arched kind of stance similar to the last models. Main drawback of previous Renaults is the interior is just massively inferior to their rivals.
Fingers crossed they can smash the driving dynamics again and they'll keep relevance in the sector.

[culpz]

So, nothing more than we didn't already know really? Or at least, nothing that we couldn't have guessed/predicated, as per the rest of the Renaultsport range and taken from the current Megane GT.

My apologies for the rude tone, I'm just getting impatient now

[Tickle]

Krikkit said:

KPB1973 said:

No further word of adaptive dampers then? Surely they would combine the advantages of 'cup' and 'sport' into one setup and given everyone the best of both worlds (and simplified the range offering, production processes etc).

In my experience adaptive dampers do anything but in all but the most ridiculously expensive form. I'd much rather have fixed-rate with proper setup done.

I think this looks rather smashing, even the standard cars look pretty good for a humdrum-mobile.

+1 on this, the Ohlins on the 275 I drove were fantastic on road, no doubt even better on track.

Plenty of other hot hatches that do 'best of both worlds'... except drive like a 275 on Ohlins

[nickfrog]

Tickle said:

+1 on this, the Ohlins on the 275 I drove were fantastic on road, no doubt even better on track.

Plenty of other hot hatches that do 'best of both worlds'... except drive like a 275 on Ohlins

Tbf, the non-Ohlins version can still make the same claim on a Cup chassis IME. And the £1,500 can be a lot of semi-slicks.

[framerateuk]

Looking forward to Renault revealing more info

My dog has voiced his complaint about the lack of head room in the Clio boot!

[KPB1973]

Krikkit said:

I'd much rather have fixed-rate with proper setup done.

I think this looks rather smashing, even the standard cars look pretty good for a humdrum-mobile.

Fair enough, as long as RenaultSport define 'proper' this time around as having enough compliance on the Cup model to be a credible all-rounder on UK roads.

Sadly some us have family duties, and my lot dreaded going out in my last two Megs.

Agree on the last point, can't wait to see it in the flesh.

[Krikkit]

KPB1973 said:

Krikkit said:

I'd much rather have fixed-rate with proper setup done.

I think this looks rather smashing, even the standard cars look pretty good for a humdrum-mobile.

Fair enough, as long as RenaultSport define 'proper' this time around as having enough compliance on the Cup model to be a credible all-rounder on UK roads.

Sadly some us have family duties, and my lot dreaded going out in my last two Megs.

Agree on the last point, can't wait to see it in the flesh.

That's what the "Sport" is for, no?

[KPB1973]

Krikkit said:

That's what the "Sport" is for, no?

Not if they follow the same principle as last time - because you probably won't get the magic diff unless you opt for the Cup.

[snoopy25]

Do we know if this is manual or that stupid flappy paddle gearbox they had on the clio?

[framerateuk]

snoopy25 said:

Do we know if this is manual or that stupid flappy paddle gearbox they had on the clio?

Both manual and EDC are offered.

[snoopy25]

framerateuk said:

snoopy25 said:

Do we know if this is manual or that stupid flappy paddle gearbox they had on the clio?

Both manual and EDC are offered.

Thanks! nice to hear they are going to offer manual

[swanny71]

snoopy25 said:

framerateuk said:

snoopy25 said:

Do we know if this is manual or that stupid flappy paddle gearbox they had on the clio?

Both manual and EDC are offered.

Thanks! nice to hear they are going to offer manual

Great news - liking the look of this and a serious contender to replace my ageing, but still brilliant, 130i.

[Simon Owen]

Interesting that they appear to be going for the two chassis set ups rather than one adjustable like most other manufacturers ?

That said there does appear to be a glut of adjustable systems that don't work terribly well for road use, sounds like Honda have listened and improved matters on the new R though.

I wonder if Renaultsport will offer the Ohlins DFV's on launch, knowing Renaultsport this may come as an option later in production.

We're running an Ohlins equiped 275 Trophy and for road use we just leave it in 'bumpy road' setting all the time, in fact I don't know why Renaultsport don't call this the factory default as it's pretty good for UK blacktop. I'm no driving god and I am not chasing lap times on circuit but the car feels wonderfully composed on the road with a degree of compliance that is much improved on the non Ohlins cup chassis set up.

[philmots]

I think this will be great, there's more to a track oriented suspension set up than firmer dampers so I think they're doing a good thing.

Potentially a good replacement for my Cupra 300 in a couple of years, a car I couldn't consider if it was 3 door.

[W124]

I reckon the initial reviews for this will be a bit like the old car. Initially 'lost some rawness and character' then 'still has plenty rawness and character - we just weren't going fast enough'. The current car has given me some proper driving high points. You can kind of tell this will
Be good.

[MikeGoodwin]

W124 said:

I reckon the initial reviews for this will be a bit like the old car. Initially 'lost some rawness and character' then 'still has plenty rawness and character - we just weren't going fast enough'. The current car has given me some proper driving high points. You can kind of tell this will
Be good.

I seem to remember the 250 being even better than the R26R, in fact wasnt it Chris Harris that said that wile working at EVO? They said the engine was stronger and had a brilliant chassis to match.

I am anxious to hear more on its release. I run a 275 Nav with Cup (no ohlins ) and its a cracking thing. I hope they improve the gearbox.

[BarbaricAvatar]

"Bigger, more powerful".

Same old, same old.

[nickfrog]

Simon Owen said:

Interesting that they appear to be going for the two chassis set ups rather than one adjustable like most other manufacturers ?

I think other manufacturers offer adjustable dampers but the rest of the suspension kinematics remain the same whereas the Renault chassis will have different parts, not just the dampers.