Video of HOT HATCH ARMAGEDDON! Extinction nears for cheap fun cars – blame EVs! CarsGuide Podcast ep 248
Farewell to another hot-hatch – Renault Megane RS soon to be in run-out!
One of the all-time heroes in the petrol-powered hot-hatch segment is set to bid farewell in 2023. Au revoir, Renault Megane RS.
That’s right – the Renault Sport Megane model range is destined to be done and dusted, likely as soon as next year, as the French brand transitions away from petrol-powered hot hatch models.
In Australia it will mark the end of RS models altogether, and globally the brand has indicated that performance variants and versions of its vehicles will instead fall under the Alpine brand.
Now, for those in the know, Alpine isn’t currently selling anything in Australia at this point in time. The re-thought side impact design rule in 2021 meant the Alpine A110’s life was short-lived in this market, despite building a very small and loyal following.
The RS following is also smaller than it once was, with the current-generation Megane RS five-door hatch currently being the only model Renault sells with a Megane badge on the back.
Only 98 examples of the Megane have been sold this year according to VFACTS data from August, and Renault Australia general manager, Glen Sealey, told CarsGuide that there are just seven currently in dealer stock in the country at the time of publishing.
“Megane RS is hard to get and has very limited stock,” said Mr Sealey. “Right now, just seven are in stock across the whole country, and nothing due to arrive soon.
“We aim to replenish some stock next year, which is likely to be the final year of production,” said Mr Sealey, before adding: “I drive one every day, I love it, and will miss it terribly!”
The current Megane RS is only available in Trophy spec, with a price tag of $62,300 plus on-road costs for the manual and $3000 more for the dual-clutch auto – maybe that’s why not many have been sold. When this generation of RS Megane arrived in Australia in 2018 it listed at $47,490 (MSRP).
The Megane Renault Sport model isn’t the only hot hatch set to be sundowned in the next 18 months.
Ford has already stated that the current-generation Focus ST and Fiesta ST are dead in the water, due to be finished in Australia by the end of this year.
And one can only assume that the Volkswagen Golf GTI and R models might be on their way out, too, with rumours internationally that the current Golf line-up is set to possibly be the last run of that iconic nameplate, too.
That will leave the Hyundai i30 N as the only truly affordable hot-hatch in that segment of the market, though you might also consider the Subaru WRX in the same thought bubble.
The segment is not finished yet, though, with the new-gen Honda Civic Type R and Toyota Corolla GR models due in the coming 12 months. Even so, based on recent pricing from each of those brands, ‘affordable’ might not feature as a synonym.
Keyword: Farewell to another hot hatch! Renault Megane RS soon to be in run-out!