Next Renault Megane RS – five-door, 300 hp, AWD?

New details regarding the highly-anticipated Renault Megane RS have surfaced. Speaking to Auto Express, a source from within Renault Sport revealed that the next-gen RS will be radically different from the current version — featuring over 300 hp, all-wheel steering from the Megane GT (pictured above) and be offered only as a five-door model.

With sights firmly set on the new Ford Focus RS, the informant said that Renault’s performance division is hellbent on squeezing out more power from the model’s 2.0 litre four-pot turbo. With the current model delivering 275 hp, the next one is said to deliver more than 300 hp in an attempt to keep up with the 345 hp Focus RS.

While the current RS is only available in front-wheel drive form, the new hot hatch will likely feature all-wheel drive with four-wheel steering. Transmission wise, Renault Sport chief, Patrice Ratti, previously revealed that a six-speed manual and an EDC dual-clutch auto unit from the Clio RS will be available for the hot Megane.

Lastly, while the current RS is only available as a three-door coupe, the source says that the next-gen model will strictly be sold as a five-door model, as the three-door Megane model has been dropped. The new RS will reportedly make its debut in the second quarter of 2017, priced around 30,000 pounds sterling (RM168k).

GALLERY: Renault Megane IV GT

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