Renault teases next-gen Megane RS

RENAULT has begun its teaser campaign for the next-generation Megane RS hot hatch, showing a single image of the new model covered by a cloth at the end of a video promoting one million fans for the Renault Sport Facebook page.

The video shows an evolution of the Renault Sport lineage through a video game-style montage, starting with the 1983 R5 Turbo in a style paying tribute to the Tron movie franchise and ending with the current hatch range of Megane, Clio and Twingo racing down a moonlit road.

The video ends with a parking garage being lit up to show the covered RS accompanied by text saying “coming soon 2017”, indicating a full reveal later this year and a likely on-sale date of 2018.

As previously reported, the hottest version of the fourth-generation Megane will likely continue to use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is rumoured to make even more power than the 202kW in the third-generation RS275 Cup Trophy.

Power is expected to be sent exclusively to the front wheels, with the new RS to employ the four-wheel-steering set-up shared with the current range-topping Megane GT variant.

Like the previous RS a six-speed manual gearbox remains the most likely transmission option, while British publication Autocar is speculating that a six-speed dual-clutch automatic will also be offered alongside the manual, and that the RS could see a debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Unlike the previous RS, the new version will come only in five-door guise, given the new generation is not offered as a three-door in any variant, meaning the next RS will have a longer wheelbase to improve grip, but will likely carry extra weight.

Visually, the video teaser only shows the new RS will share the same headlight design as the new Megane and Koleos SUV ranges, but a number of sporty bodykit enhancements can be expected.

The new RS will likely be looking to reclaim its title of the fastest front-wheel-drive car to lap Germany’s infamous Nurburgring, that was eclipsed by the Honda Civic Type R in March 2015, followed by the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S in May last year with a time of 7:49.21.

More than 30,000 third-generation Megane RS’s have been produced globally by Renault since the iteration went on sale in 2009.

More details on the new RS will emerge when the covers are taken off the incoming model later this year.

Until then the most powerful Megane in the new range will remain the Megane GT which shares its 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with the Clio RS light hatch.