It's hard to think of a modern hot hatch quite as polarising as the Renault Sport Megane 280. At times it was majestic - specifically the Sport chassis on the road the Cup on a circuit - and other times maddening: try using the infotainment, for example. Or the manual gearbox. In a world of hot hatches seemingly content to emulate the Golf GTI's blemish-free personality the Megane is nothing if not memorable.
Recently we brought news of the Renault Sport's mid-life update which now has UK pricing attached. The important news was that power for all Megane R.S. models had been upped to 300hp (matching the Trophy) and that new displays had been introduced for both the driver's dials and the infotainment screen. Not massive, sure, but anyone aware of Renault Sport's history will know how minor updates (alongside some undisclosed ones, too) have often wrought significant improvements in its hot hatches - we live in hope...
The range now kicks off with the R.S. 300, at £30,895, with the EDC dual-clutch transmission option taking that to £32,495. Interestingly there will be no option of a Cup chassis as a standalone extra on the base model; those after the additional fizz of a track focused Megane (with stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars) must have a £34,895 300 Trophy. As before, the Trophy also brings with it bi-material brakes, 19-inch wheels, the R.S. monitor and a smattering of Alcantara in addition to its racier underparts. Those after a DCT Trophy will be asked for the £36,495. And the 4Control four-wheel steer, in case you were wondering, remains standard on both cars.
As for the options list, so often the cause of agonising Megane spec decisions in days gone by - with names like Ohlins, Akrapovic and Michelin attempting to entice a keen buyer - the extras look a lot simpler with this facelifted car. Buyers of the standard model can have some of the Trophy bits - 19-inch wheels for £800, Alcantara upholstery for £1,000 and the R.S. Monitor for £350 - and those configuring a Trophy can add Recaro seats. Both have the option of a sunroof, too.
So that's your new Megane 300 Renault Sport, a vehicle that's promising "performance car thrills and a truly engaging driving experience". The new models can be ordered from August - which, somehow, is already next Saturday - and will presumably be with customers before the year is out. But it would be remiss of us not to mention the old car at this point, given the PH classifieds is teeming with them. Prices start at £22,995 for this manual Cup tuned to 320hp and looking a lot better than 'Titanium Grey' might have you believe; £25k buys a Sport chassised car (which, whisper it, might be the one to have) and once over £30,000 the Trophy becomes available. Which is also old Trophy-R territory, funnily enough...
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