Image: Renault
Image: Renault
Image: Renault
Image: Renault
The Renault Megane RS’ days are numbered. The French carmaker’s performance hatchback has been given little more than a year before it is officially discontinued. The hot hatchback will still be sold in markets like Australia but production is set to end before the end of the year.
Image: Renault
The DNA of Renault’s former Formula 1 Racing team is genetically engineered into all the Megane RS variants; The Megan RS200 1,8 turbo, RS300 1,8 turbo and the RS Trophy-R. With a 1,8-litre, 16-valve, 4-cylinder turbo direct injection engine that produces an astounding amount of power. The current generation Megane RS made its debut in September 2017 and is based on the fourth generation Megane. The Renault Megane RS features five driving modes, Comfort, Neutral, Sport, Race and Personal which is essentially a customisable driving mode.
Image: Renault
The interior boasts a portrait-style infotainment display that supports both AppleCarPlay and Android Auto. Red stitches with RS badges come standard on the interior and the Trophy model adds an Alcantara-suede trim on the steering wheel. Compared to the regular Megane, the RS comes with a fresh palette of distinctive colours such as different yellows, oranges and reds. The Renault Megane RS200 1,8 turbo produces 205 kW and 390 Nm of Torque and the RS300 1,8 turbo produces the same power and torque as the Trophy-RS, 221 kW and 420 N.m, there is an added choice of a dual-clutch automatic transmission or the traditional six-speed manual gearbox, along with the 4Control rear-wheel steer system.
Image: Renault
Like many other internal combustion engines, the turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8-litre Megane RS sadly has to succumb to the EV takeover. Nearly every automaker has hopped on the EV bandwagon, introducing one or more electric models to their lineup.
The Renault Megane E-Tech will serve as a replacement for the discontinued model, adopting a crossover stance with a fully electric powertrain. The general manager of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey mentioned in an interview “Megane RS ceases next year. I don’t have the production end date yet, but from a production standpoint, it won’t continue beyond the end of next year. The demand for a hot hatch in Europe is waning. That can be replaced with an electric car. And it makes commonsense to switch across.”
ROAD TEST: Renault Mégane RS 300 Trophy
We got to enjoy the model in all of its glory before Renault pulled it from our lineup. For its engaging drive and undying hot-hatch attitude, we bid the model adieu.
Keyword: Goodbye Megane RS; Renault to discontinue the model in 2023