The 2018 Renault Megane RS first broke cover last September and quickly found its way to the East via the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Now in its third-generation guise, the hot hatch sports a new 1.8 litre turbocharged four-pot, making 280 hp and 390 Nm of torque. The preceding model had a larger 2.0 litre turbo and came in various tunes, with the top-end being the 275 Trophy-R.
Despite having a smaller displacement, the new motor packs five horsepower and 30 Nm more than the Trophy-R, and all that power is sent to the front wheels, either through a six-speed manual or six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic. It also gets two chassis setups to select from – standard Sport suspension or a more track-focused Cup version. Both come with rally-derived four hydraulic compression bump stops and the brand’s 4Control four-wheel steering system.
The front suspension features an independent steering axis to deliver better precision, but the Cup chassis benefits from a torque sensing limited-slip differential mounted up front. Five drive modes are available – Comfort, Normal, Sport, Race and the customisable Perso. Like before, there’s also an RS Drive button present, but here it’s located on the centre stack and functions as a shortcut to Sport and Race modes.
While the new range of Meganes look similar on the whole, the RS distinguishes itself by being wider and comes shod with 18- or 19-inch wheels. The front fascia gets larger air intakes with a honeycomb mesh in gloss black, accompanied by the unique RS Vision LED daytime running lights.
Elsewhere, you’ll find vents behind the front wheels, a functional rear spoiler, rear diffuser and an integrated central exhaust. Inside, it gets RS-specific sports seats with integrated head restraints, and the seats are upholstered in either either fabric or Alcantara charcoal grey trim, finished with contrasting red stitching. A Bose sound system can be had as well.
A hotter Megane RS Trophy version with 300 hp and 400 Nm will be introduced later this year. Renault says it will get 19-inch wheels, Cup chassis and bi-material brake discs as standard.
So, what do you think of this new Megane RS?
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This car looks good. I hope we get it in Malaysia at a reasonable price. As you know, Malaysia has the highest car prices in the world. Hopefully, this will come in affordable.
really? I thought singapore has the highest car price even for a secondhand.moreover you need to dispose car that are 10+ years old.
try compare with UK you can get shitbox for 200+pounds.
Car price ratio with the salary earned… different story… that makes Malaysia car price expensive in the world.
When compared to salary ratio its even worse:
A RM5000k MY worker pays 85k for vios.
A SGD5000k SG worker pays 95k for vios.
Still makes it cheaper to buy in MY.
another fake news. Global GDP Per Capita data show Singaporeans earn 6x more than Malaysians.
So, if a Malaysian is earning RM5000, the same worker in Singapore is earning 6x what the Malaysian earns
So 95k vios is small change
By the way, the Toyota in Singapore is CBU. Not tipu CKD quality.
Earning 6x more but spend 6x more means is equal to MY, no? And 9/10 of those earning RM5k in MY is locals unlike there 8/10 earning SGD5k is foreigners. Basically that countries prosperity relies on foreigners which deprives the locals!
And no need tipu us about vios CBU cuz it just comes from tomyam, nothing special.
per capita is misleading, better take median
Cannot deny the fact Singapore is FIRST world and SGD Currency is 3.2 to Ringgit
Both countries Merdeka same time but one is FIRST World and the other Third World.
But don’t worry, Gomen just confirmed that in 2 years time, 2020, everybody confirmed to earn US$48,000 per annum GDP Per Capita and we will be FISRT World.
This means every Malaysian will earn USD4000 (RM16,000) per month
Everybody can now buy 5 series.
Why dun take median?
You think in Singapore someone earning SGD 5K is doing the same job as someone earning RM 5K?
Nope. Someone earning RM 5K in Malaysia would probably earn no more than SGD 3K.
that is one really ugly front with a fat ass design language…same freaking family dna with merc A-class…skip!
Golf R way more potent.
But Golf is ugly and the look is so outdated now. This beast have the look and power. Just perfect
This is my kid school bus color
as long its manual its good
A good match to Suprima 1.5 T-GDI 290hp.
(Like) Civic TypeR.
(Dislike) Megane RS 300HP
My “secret” P1 Neo will smoke this renault yellow manggo easily….
That tab like display in front of the aircon vents looks ugly and misplaced.
Surely a designer can come up with a more practical solution than this offering.
Ugly and not practical, in my opinion.
TCEC put RM228800 price tag on the GT. hahaha…good luck. Price this RS well and ypu will get back your followers. Gotta be manual. Oh and get rid of Kuan, he is too old for this industry…playing it too safe. Need bold and ypung blood to bring back the brand
Cant wait to see how this new megane rs fares against its fierces rival the hyundai i30N. Based on steve sutcliffe of evo magazine UK, the i30N smashes the prev RS in term of driving composure and kills the golf R.
i don’t know man… i’m confused… this car looks so good and so bad at the same time.
Hopefully Renault Malaysia will bring this one in.
hopefully my wife let me buy this Megane as it is 4-doors!
How’s the reliability of the car, after sales and technical support?
that’s the worry! conti parts are usually not that easily accessible. SAD!