![]() The car’s chassis features two key technical departures: a four-wheel steering system and a set of hydraulic suspension bump stops. Renault Megane RS Trophy-R 2019 first drive.Renault Megane RS Trophy-R 2019 UK first drive.Renault Megane RS 280 2020 long-term test.Renault Megane RS Trophy 2021 UK first drive.Unlike in the Clio RS 220 Trophy, then, you needn’t be stuck with two pedals and two paddles if you don’t want them. ![]() This third-generation version has a new 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that's smaller and lighter than the old car’s 2.0-litre unit, delivering more power and torque than the Mégane 275 bowed out with – and which can be paired with a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. Although it retains front-wheel drive, the fast Mégane has been through an overhaul that would seem every bit as thorough and attentive, on paper, as that of any of its rivals. Some good news would definitely be welcome - and maybe we’re about to get some. Can the firm that brought us the flawed Renault Clio RS 200 rediscover its sparkling form of old? Does Dieppe still have whatever it was that made so many of its hot hatchbacks so good for so long, or is it lost forever? Has Renault’s Alpine A110 sports car, brilliant as it may be, swallowed up so much engineering talent that what could be considered Renault Sport’s most important product has been left undernourished? It’d be understandable. But forgivable? I’m not so sure. The Techno trim can have its sound system upgraded to the Launch Edition’s Harman Kardon system for an extra fee.For that reason and others, you could call the launch of this third-generation Mégane RS (it’s also the performance version of the fourth-gen Mégane, confusingly) something of a watershed moment. The Megane E-Tech is well equipped as standard, especially on Techno and Launch Edition trims, so few optional extras are offered. But while you still get a lot of equipment, the entry-level trim does lose out on several safety systems, which are becoming increasingly common in today's cars. Our Techno-trimmed test car starts from £38,495, while the Launch Edition can be yours for an additional £1,500 if sound systems and surround-view cameras are essential to you.Įquilibre comes in at £35,995 – a saving of £2,500 on the model we were testing. The Renault team told us they had no plans to offer it for the foreseeable future, either. ![]() Renault also has a lower-powered 130PS electric motor with a 40kWh battery and a 186-mile range, but it’s not being offered in the UK at launch. Powering the car is a 220PS electric motor, fed by a 60kWh battery. Top-of-the-range is the Launch Edition, which adds a Harman Kardon audio system and surround-view 3D camera.Īs the name suggests, the Launch Edition will only likely be on sale for a limited time, so Renault may tweak the trim levels once they’re all sold out. There is also 48-colour ambient lighting, a shark-fin antenna, and several other safety systems, which we'll come on to later. The latter feature provides customisable driving modes. On top of that, there's wireless smartphone charging, height and electric lumbar adjustment in the front seats, adaptive cruise control/speed limiter and multi-sense. You also get grey fabric and black synthetic leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beam, dynamic indicators, dual-zone climate control, and automatic windscreen wipers. We tested the mid-range trim, Techno, which adds 20-inch alloys, and various Google services, including Google Maps. There is also an Arkamys audio system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, full LED headlights, one-touch electric windows, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, plus black fabric seat upholstery. The entry-level Equilibre gets 18-inch alloy wheels and a nine-inch infotainment screen with SatNav, DAB Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In terms of trims, there are three to choose from. If you’re familiar with the Ariya, you may assume the Megane E-Tech is a much bigger vehicle now, but although it looks like it is, it's still not all that large in the metal. Instead, the vehicle has had a significant overhaul and is now based on an all-new CMF-EV platform, as used on the Nissan Ariya. While the Megane retains its name, this isn’t a case of Renault simply ripping out the combustion engine and shoehorning in an electric motor as a replacement. The Megane E-Tech is here, which means a fully-electric version of the car that originally darted into our lives “shaking that ass” on television in the 1990s is now available for the masses. The Renault Megane has been a popular family hatchback for years – and now the news is getting even better. But while that car has improved over the years, it has remained Renault’s sole all-electric offering. Renault was an early leader in EVs with the Zoe.
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