Hot Renault Megane RS 265 blasts in

THE arrival of Renault's new facelifted Megane range will be heralded by its most potent and popular variant, when the mad RS 265 goes on sale later this month from $43,990 plus on-road costs.

The rest of the updated Megane range will follow in July, but before the bread and butter varieties touch-down, Australians will be treated to the French car-maker's hottest turbocharged 2.0-litre 195kW/360Nm Renault Sport version.

Just two specification levels will replace the four different variants of the outgoing RS 265 with the entry level Cup from $43,990 bridging both superseded Cup and Cup Premium, and the new Cup Premium replaces the previous two Trophy variants from $47,990.

While those prices take a slight step up over previous entry level variants ($42,640 for the Cup and $47,140 for Trophy), the new Cup and Cup Premium versions have more equipment included as standard.

Renault researched which RS 265 extras were most frequently optioned, and as a result the entry-level Cup variant now has the R-Link entertainment and navigation system with an RS monitor as standard, while the Cup Premium gains a reversing camera and leather Recaro seats in place of cloth.

Both variants also now feature idle-stop fuel saving technology as standard, which cuts fuel consumption from 8.2 litres per 100km of the outgoing model, to 7.5L/100km.

Performance figures remain the same as the outgoing model with a top speed of 255km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.0 seconds.

In addition to the re-sculpted face, the Megane RS 265 is available in two previously limited edition only colours, with Liquid Yellow and Pearl White joining the five other paint varieties.

Renault senior vice president of design, Laurens van den Acker kicked-off the company’s new brand identity, which first saw light on the nose of the recently launched Clio compact car, and the Megane is the next model in line to wear the styling signature.

The diamond bonnet-badge now nestles on gloss black grille trim, an F1 style blade spoiler feeds air in to the radiator grille and the headlights give the appearance of a human eyeball.

Cup versions return with all of the previous go-faster goodies, from the Renault Sport tuned chassis, limited-slip differential, 18-inch wheels and red Brembo brakes.

Comfort features include keyless entry and start, auto headlights and wipers, privacy-glass, rear parking sensors, cruise control and the aforementioned R-Link and RS monitor, which allows real-time performance data display and storage.

The track-focused technology allows stored data to be downloaded on to a USB device and, through the use of special applications, compares performance to other drivers.

Stepping up $4000 to the Cup Premium brings all of the Cup equipment plus leather Recaro seats, 19-inch wheels wrapped in Continental rubber and a reversing camera.

Renault Sport fans wanting that extra dollop of French performance can fork out around $60,000 and step in to the RS 275, but you'll have to be quick when they arrive in September, as only 100 of the 202kW barnstorming Meganes are destined for Down Under.

Australian motorists are the world's second largest buyers of Renault's hottest Megane, ranking behind the hatchback's home country, and Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar is confident the new version will continue its popularity.

“The new brand identity, as developed by Laurens van den Acker, has already proved immensely popular with customers on our award-winning Clio range and we are confident that the new design will attract more new customers to the Megane R.S. 265”, he said.

“The refresh has also provided us an opportunity to renew our specification line-up in response to customer feedback and demand on the previous model.

“We are confident that we will continue to be one of the top selling countries in the world for the iconic Megane R.S.”

Despite a loyal following, the fizzy French flier still has a fierce fight on its hands, when it goes head to head with other established Euro hot-hatches such as the sharply priced $41,990 Golf GTI.

While the Megane RS range stands at just two (plus the limited RS 275), it is likely the sporty trio will be joined by other special editions as has been the case in previous years.

2014 Renault Megane R.S. 265 pricing*

Cup	$43,990
Cup Premium	$47,990

*Excludes on-road costs.