Renault Delivers New Mégane Renault Sport
After recently launching the new Mégane model, Renault brought its powerful sibling, the Mégane R.S. (Renault Sport) to the Geneva Auto Show.
Powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the R.S. makes 250hp at 5500 rpm and 251 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. This is an increase of 20hp and 29.5 ft-lbs of torque over the highly acclaimed R26.R. As well as being a great performer, the car is also good around town with plenty of immediate torque – Renault says that 80 of peak torque is available at just 1800 rpm.
As expected, the new R.S. will be offered with only a six-speed manual transmission. Two trim levels can be ordered, the Sport and the Cup, which features a limited-slip differential. The R.S. is equipped with a stability control system, however, it can be shut completely off.
From the outside, the car is immediately distinguishable by its 18-inch wheels, rear diffuser and Lambo LP640-style central exhaust pipe.
Inside, the car gets aluminum pedal covers, a sport steering wheel, Renault Sport lettering on the headrests, gauges and dashboard. It also comes with a gear-shift indicator that is both visual and audible.
GALLERY: Mégane R.S.
More on the Mégane R.S. after the jump:
NEW MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT:
250HP OF SHEER PLEASURE
As the latest in a long line of Renault sporting models, New Mégane Renault Sport stands out
through its exhilarating performance and handling. The cocktail of its 250hp engine,
unmistakable sporting coupé credentials and choice of two chassis (‘Sport’ and ‘Cup’ with
limited slip differential) is clear evidence that New Mégane Renault Sport has been honed to
offer an extreme ride.
Coming after Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R, New Mégane Renault Sport profits
fully from Renault Sport Technologies’ extensive experience when it comes to manufacturing
production sporting models.
Powerful
New Mégane Renault Sport is powered by a new-generation 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol
engine which boasts maximum power of 250hp (184kW) at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from
3,000rpm. The sum of the different improvements made to this engine has produced a gain of 20hp
and 40Nm over Mégane R26.R which itself emerged as the yardstick in the world of performance
hatches. The Renault Sport 2.0 T engine’s twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is
particularly flexible at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1,900rpm. Its
broad useful rev band makes it a genuine joy to drive in everyday use, and the pleasure remains all
the way up to the rev-limiter whenever it is pushed a little harder. The engine of New Mégane Renault
Sport drives through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Work has also gone into the acoustics of the Renault Sport 2.0 T engine to produce a telltale sporty
pitch audible inside the cabin under acceleration.
Efficient
New Mégane Renault Sport has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current Mégane
Renault Sport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and
steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction
performance.
Like the sporting versions of the Renault Clio and Renault Twingo ranges, New Mégane R.S. is
available with a choice of two chassis: the ‘Sport’ chassis or the ‘Cup’ chassis, which comes with a
limited slip differential for even greater traction.
The electric power steering features specific, sportier calibration and benefits from the latest
improvements seen on New Renault Mégane aimed at achieving greater precision and even more
feedback from the road.
New Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with ESC which is fully disconnectable in order to enable
owners to sample the pleasure of enjoying their car’s full potential round a circuit.
Provocative
New Mégane R.S. benefits from undeniably sporty looks. The front bumper incorporates the LED
daytime running lights, as well as the splitter which recalls the low-slung nose of the R28 Formula 1
car. The sporty calling of this Renault Sport-badged model is further emphasized by its 18-inch
aluminium alloy rims, central exhaust tailpipe and rear diffuser.
The interior appointments, too, exude the world of motor sport, from the extra lateral support for the
seats, to the analogue rev-counter with visual and audible gearshift indicator, the aluminium pedal
cover and the specific steering wheel complete with thumb rests. The Renault Sport signature is also
visible inside the car: on the headrests, rev-counter background and dashboard.
New Mégane Renault Sport profits fully from Renault Sport Technologies’ extensive
experience when it comes to manufacturing production sporting models.
Renault Sport Technologies has combined its experience of motor sport with its longstanding
production expertise to develop a comprehensive range of sporting cars. The hallmarks of Renault
Sport models are their pedigree engines and efficient chassis which together deliver an undeniably
high level of sports performance, as testified by the reputation forged by Mégane F1 Team R26 and
Mégane R26.R which were voted ‘Sporting Car of the Year’ in France in 2007 and 2008 respectively.