It’d be fair to say the Megane and I have had a
love-hate relationship
since we first met. There have been moments when I’ve made decidedly inappropriate noises about it at people when trying to describe what it’s like on a fast B-road blast. And then there have been moments when I’ve sworn at it repeatedly – for example, when its auto stop-start system has failed to fulfil the the latter half of the promise at a green traffic light.
Megane finds itself among friends at Brands
But everyone I’ve spoken to has told me that I have to experience it on track to fully appreciate its talents. So when I was offered the chance to pop along to one of Renaultsport’s track days at Brands Hatch, I didn't need to be asked twice.
So it was that I found myself in the pit lane, briefed, sound checked, and... well, a little nervous, actually. Last time I was here I managed to fall off at Paddock. Backwards. And then, as now, it was damp, greasy, and a little chilly to boot. Which is why, when the decision on whether to ESC or not to ESC came, I decided to wuss out and leave it in ESC Sport. Doing so still gave me access to the Renaultsport Monitor and the various throttle mapping permutations that offered; I picked Extreme, the most... erm... extreme one, and then switched the screen over to the G-meter. I’m not entirely sure why; perhaps I was imagining casting an eye in its direction halfway through Druids, stroking my chin thoughtfully while cocking an eyebrow, impressed at its readings.
Perhaps not the ideal map setting for the M25
I didn’t do that. In fact, the next time I looked at the G-meter was after I came back into the pits, at which point the tracks it had recorded merged into a large white mess in the centre of the display. Largely because in the intervening period I’d been busy having an absolute hoot. The Megane is just superb on track. The engine is free and gutsy, the chassis is mobile and constantly adjustable, and the diff tugs you gamely around each corner. You can almost feel it fizzing with enjoyment beneath you. So confident does it make you feel, in fact, that it’s easy to become complacent – but even then, if you find yourself going into a corner a bit quickly, a lift results in just enough oversteer to excite before the ESC helps you gather it up. At all other times, the ESC is notably unintrusive – in fact, I reckon this is the mode of choice to have it in for any sort of hard driving, as you seem to get all of its benefits with none of its drawbacks.
Megane is sharper than VXR but flawed too
And it’ll keep at it, too; I stopped every 10 laps or so for a break, but the Megane was just as up for it each time I headed back out. Brake fade did start to become an issue after a while, but that's to be expected of a hot hatch on standard brakes. But with that exception, the car was happy to pound round for lap after lap, each as consistent as before, allowing me to push it to its limits – and indeed, sometimes to exceed them without making a wally of myself.
So here’s how I feel about the Megane now: it’s a flawed diamond. The AstraVXR and Focus ST are, in my opinion, better all-rounders, and it’s these that I’d recommend if you want something that’s great day-to-day and fun on the odd occasion that you fancy it. If, however, you want to get out on as many track days as you can, but you need five seats, a roof and a boot in the same car, it has to be the Megane. It still frustrates me to the point of swearing at least once a week. But after my day at Brands, the inappropriate noises when discussing the driving experience have only grown more vociferous.
FACT SHEET
Car: Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup
Run by: Alex (and Dan when circumstances allow)
On fleet since: December 2012
Mileage: 7,415
List price new: £28,115 (Basic list of £24,840 plus £350 for Renaultsport Monitor, £1,300 for Recaro seat upgrade, £750 for bi-xenon lights, £250 for hands free card with push-button start, £75 for spare wheel, £250 for tyre pressure monitor, £300 for Arkamys Bluetooth/USB ICE system)
Last month at a glance: A track day at Brands Hatch has Scrof making... erm... inappropriate noises
Track photography: zzzone
