New Mégane Renault Sport

The familiar name and the the latest in a series of emblematic models that have helped forge Renault Sport's reputation, from the R8 Gordini, Super 5 GT Turbo, Clio Williams, Clio Renault Sport, Mégane F1 Team R26 and the Mégane R26.R which still holds the lap record for its class round Nürburgring Nordschliefe circuit.

The new Mégane Renault Sport detailed a month ago will become the base for engineering the special Gordini Renault Sport Mégane version with blue exterior and two white stripes.

The standard Mégane R.S. is powered by the Euro5-compliant 2.0 16V turbocharged engine (code name F4Rt), which delivers peak power of 250hp (184kW) at 5,500rpm and high torque available across a particularly broad rev-band thanks to the twin scroll turbocharger. The engine’s specific power output of 125hp/litre, while the maximum torque is 340Nm at 3,000rpm.

At the first glance, the new Mégane R.S. features the same styling cues as the new Mégane Coupé but some distinctive changes catches the critical observer’s eye:
- the wider wheelarches fit for the 18- or 19-inch Steev wheels,
- the front bumper with a wide air intake and a F1-type aerodynamic blade,
- the front bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights,
- the central exhaust tailpipe, diffuser and rear lip spoiler,
- the exterior mirror housings, the aerodynamic blade incorporated in the front bumper and the rear diffuser all finished in glossy black paint.

Inside the car, the intrument cluster features an analog speedometer and the sport yellow rev-counter. The cabin is finished in a dark charcoal trim which contrasts with the yellow stitching of the seat’s upholstery. The front seat back and cushions feature additional lateral support, while the driver's seat is fully adjustable, including adjustable lumbar support. The heated leather seats come with an electric settings-memory function. Those owners who enjoy putting their vehicle through its paces round a circuit will appreciate the optional cloth- or leather-upholstered Recaro seats which are also height- and fore/aft-adjustable. The competition feel of the driving experience is rounded off by the aluminium-faced pedals and footrest.

A new feature on New Mégane R.S. is the Renault Sport Dynamic Management system which allows the driver to choose the degree of electronic aid he or she wants in different situations:
- 'On': the default mode when the engine is fired up. The ESP, ASR traction control and emergency brake assist are all activated. The system intervenes as soon as it senses that the car is on the verge of sliding. The pedal mapping ensures smooth acceleration, making this mode ideally suited to everyday use.
- 'Sport' mode, for less intrusive ESP action. This mode is selected by a short press on the ESP button. Although the ESP and ASR are still active, they intervene at a later point and allow the car to slide to a certain extent, so long as the skid doesn't exceed a given threshold. The pedal mapping is modified to permit swifter engine response.
- 'Off' mode, for unfettered enjoyment, notably round a circuit. This mode is activated by a longer push on the ESP button. The electronic stability programme is fully disconnected, while the pedal mapping is modified to permit swifter engine response.

Another new feaure is the shift warning system: a light turns on when the moment comest to change gear, while an audible warning tells the driver when the rev-limiter is about to cut in.

Newest addition in the Mégane R.S.'s class is the Renault Sport Monitor, an advanced tool which provides the driver with real-time data collected via an array of sensors. Drivers can scroll through the system's different functions using the steeringwheel remote controls, and the following information is shown of the main dashboard display:
- data concerning the main engine functions (turbo pressure, oil temperature) and brakes,
- real-time engine performance data (torque, power),
- transverse and longitudinal acceleration ('GG' display),
- stopwatch, with memory function,
- performance data, with automatic memorisation of the best 400-metre standing start and 0-100km/h times.

The R.S. Monitor also enables the driver to modify the pedal mapping. A choice of five settings is available with the 'Sport' mode selected ('linear', 'normal', 'snow', 'sport' and 'extreme') in order to adapt the car's acceleration characteristics to the conditions or to the driver's wishes of the moment.

New Mégane R.S. is available from launch with a choice of two chassis: the Sport chassis, for everyday driving pleasure, and the Cup chassis featuring an optional limited slip differential, for even more exhilarating track-focused performance.

The Cup chassis is aimed at enthusiasts who enjoy sporty driving and fans of track days, since its specific settings truly come into their own when the car is pushed that little bit harder. Compared with the Sport chassis, anti-roll stiffness in the front has been increased by 13 per cent thanks to a bigger-diameter anti-roll bar (24.2 mm). The dampers are specific, too, while axis stiffness has been uprated by 35 and 38 per cent at the front and rear respectively compared with the Sport chassis. Anti-roll stiffness at the rear has been increased by 7 per cent compared with the Sport chassis.

The overall anti-roll stiffness of the Cup chassis marks an improvement of 15 per cent over the Sport chassis. The Sport as well as the Cup chassis comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (235/40 R18 Y) tyres.

An optional mechanical limited slip differential (LSD) is avalable for ordering with the Mégane R.S. Cup chassis. The LSD ensures optimum traction at all times; whatever the conditions, however much grip is available, whatever the diving style and the type of corner. The combination of a limited slip differential and independent steering axis front suspension minimizes the effects of torque steer and permits the driver to profit fully from the extra traction for a more reassuring drive.
The limited slip differential also ensures greater stability under braking. By kicking in immediately, it pushes back the threshold when the ASR traction control intervenes under hard acceleration or when the ESP cuts in when turning into corners, thereby freeing the car’s full braking potential. Improved turn-in performance also means that the driver is able reaccelerate harder and sooner.

In short, in addition to improving the efficient transmission of power to the road, and thereby enhancing performance, the limited slip differential delivers progressive, reassuring handling which is appreciable whatever the driving style.

New Mégane R.S. benefits from exceptional stopping power thanks to its four-pot Brembo callipers and 340mm diameter vented discs at the front, the biggest available in the hot hatch segment. The front discs are grooved in the case of the Cup chassis equipped with a limited slip differential. Braking performance is further enhanced by an 11-inch servo. At the rear, New Mégane R.S. is equipped with 290mm-diameter discs (again, grooved in the case of the Cup chassis).

New Mégane R.S. is manufactured at Renault's Palencia plant in Spain, on the same production lines as those of the hatchback, coupé and estate versions of New Mégane. More than 21,000 units of Mégane Renault Sport were sold in some 30 countries since its 2004 launch.