The new Renault Megane RS was unveiled back in September this year, and here it is making an appearance at the ongoing Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the latest Megane IV, the French hot hatch competes against models like the Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS.
Power for the new car comes from a 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, which outputs 280 hp and 390 Nm of torque. Compared to the most potent version of the outgoing model – the 275 Trophy-R – the downsized powerplant has a five hp and 30 Nm advantage.
All that power is sent to the front wheels through one of two transmissions, with the first being a row-on-your-own six-speed manual, or a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic (seen here).
Aside from the choice of transmission, there are also two chassis setups to select from – standard Sport suspension or a more track-focused Cup. Both come with rally-derived four hydraulic compression bump stops and the brand’s 4Control four-wheel steering system.
Furthermore, the car’s front suspension now features an independent steering axis to deliver better precision, but only the Cup chassis comes with a front Torsen limited-slip differential.
With the Multi-Sense system, drivers will get to cycle through five driving modes – Comfort, Normal, Sport, Race and the customisable Personal. There’s also an RS Drive button on the centre stack as a shortcut to Sport and Race modes, should you need either of them urgently.
To ensure there’s no confusion with the standard Megane, the RS features a wider track and 18- or 19-inch wheels, the latter being seen here. Up front, there are larger intakes with a honeycomb mesh in gloss black, accompanied by RS Vision LED daytime running lights.
Elsewhere, you’ll find vents just behind the front wheels, along with a functional rear spoiler, rear diffuser and integrated central exhaust. Inside, there are sports seats with integrated head rests, upholstered in either either fabric or Alcantara charcoal grey trim and finished off with contrasting red stitching (seen here).
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Wow, 1.8 can produce 280hp and 390nm. This is what you call brains. The French work hard to better their engines all the time
Yup, its a nissan engine after all
Its not sourced from Nissan but developed together, but the French engineers only engineered to produce that output
That 1.8 turbo engine is sourced from Nissan. New gen Sylphy.
not quite right-Its developed by Renault & Nissan, but worked magic by French engineers only.
wow those fog lights resemblance of Renault Sport.. should just keep this design for more RS models to come
Will sell my a250 for this… Or A sedan..
any idea when is this car coming to malaysia??