Renault Megane Reviews

Renault's red hot Megane RS 265 is about as good as it gets in terms of hot hatches, one of if not the best handling front-wheel drive cars on the face of the planet.But for many people the three-door rocket is a little too hot, especially for those with families who need something a bit more restrained and a bit more practical.Enter stage right the Megane GT 220 wagon from the Renault Sport go-fast department that adds rear doors and a luggage area capable of carting the family trappings.It's not the full monty, but perhaps represents a workable solution for those who like their cars.The GT boasts a 162kW turbocharged 2.0-litre engine (220 horsepower in the old money) and sports tuned chassis, together with some visual enhancements to match. The only thing missing from a practical point of view is an automatic.VALUEIt's a limited edition and Renault has secured a couple of hundred GT 220s, each with a numbered plaque. Arriving in June the wagon will be priced from $36,990, with grab bag of goodies that can be added as part of a Premium pack for another $5000 there are no other options.The wagon is already well equipped in standard form, with dual zone climate control, fog lights, auto lights and wipers, daytime running lights, rear parking sensors and flashy black 18 inch alloys. The Renault Sport trip computer, carbon-fibre look dash, aluminium foot pedals, red-stitched leather wheel and 8 speaker audio system are icing on the cake.The pack adds two-tone leather front seats, a panoramic sunroof, high-powered bi-xenon head lights, front parking sensors, plus a reversing camera. Satellite navigation and lane departure warning round out the package.TECHNOLOGYAlthough it misses out on an auto, it will be Renault's first model to feature fuel-saving, stop-start technology. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, essentially a detuned version of that in the RS, produces 162kW of power at 4750 revs and 340Nm of torque from 2400 revs.The engine is paired with a six-speed manual only. In terms of performance, the dash from 0 to 100km/h takes 7.6 seconds and it has a top speed of 240km/h. The wagon has a 60-litre tank, uses 7.3 litres/100km and takes premium unleaded although 98 is recommended.It weighs in at 1464kg and the chassis is based on the Sport chassis available for the Megane RS, with suspension that has been tuned specifically for the task along with specially calibrated electric steering. The glossy black 18-inch wheels are different, but the tyres are the same 225/40s as those fitted to the RS. The brakes have also been beefed up, with 320mm ventilated Brembos at the front and 260mm solid discs down the back.DESIGNAt 4.7 metres the wagon offers a load length of 1670mm with the rear seats folded and 1100mm between the wheel arches, with 994mm behind the rear bench seat. The front passenger seat can also be folded to accommodate extra long objects.SAFETYGets a full five stars for safety and a full complement of six airbags, including curtain airbags unlike the Clio and Clio-based Captur that makes do with four. Electronic stability and traction control are standard, along with ABS, brake assist, brake force distribution and hill start assist.DRIVINGPerformance is strong. Obviously not as strong as the RS 265 but strong enough to satisfy most enthusiasts minus the hardcore edge of the RS. That edge by the way begins to grind after a while if it's too harsh which is why many manufacturers offer electronically modulated suspension and drive trains.In reality you can drive the GT hard with confidence and there is plenty in the tank for overtaking, so it won’t' get caught on the wrong side of the road.VERDICTNo complaints here. Renault's forte is special editions and this is another worthy edition. Too bad it doesn't come with the option of an auto, but that is not going to stop enthusiasts from buying it though it could make it a little harder to get through to the keeper.Renault Megane GT 220Price: from $36,990Weight: 1464kgEngine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, 162kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 7.3L/100km0 to 100km/h: 7.6 seconds

Invasion is easy when you have a country with well-oiled swinging doors and a neon welcome light. As the world's only country - well, with New Zealand - with a level-playing field policy on imports, Australian citizens have an enviable choice of goods and services, though mostly at the expense of its domestic businesses. It's the reason Renault exists.Its Australian sales are up 28 per cent this year to date compared with 2011 while back home in croissantville, sales are down about 30 per cent. Renault products are actually quite good. The problem is that, in many cases, the competition is better - better built, better known, better equipped, better looking though not often better priced.The Megane is a sturdy, well-priced hatch with a family in mind. The diesel engine is a willing worker that adapts well to suburban life. But would you buy one over a Hyundai?It's good value for money, especially considering its cheap running costs. The Megane gets $199 capped price service for three years and a  five-year, unlimited distance warranty with roadside assist. Residual is a low-ish 50 per cent (but a Commodore is 34 per cent) after three years, meaning Glass's Guide estimates it'll fetch $13,700 as a trade in.The Megane is regarded as a small car though will seat four ad ults, has a high level of features - audio streaming Bluetooth, cruise control, auto headlights and wipers, hands-free entry and button start, dual-zone climate control aircon, height adjustable driver and passenger seat, tilt-telescopic steering adjustment, six airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels and heated, electric side mirrors.This is the base model Megane Dynamique hatch with a diesel engine and automatic transmission and the $27,490 price tag makes it the cheapest against similarly-equipped Holden Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 rivals. It is about $7000 cheaper than the comparative Golf while the Megane's excellent warranty and capped service put it up against the Hyundai.If there was a guide book on how to become invisible, this car is the leading light. Simply, the styling is so very ordinary that it could be any small hatchback. You may never find it in a carpark. Only the diamond badge on the bonnet marks it as a Renault and even then, probably means zip to most onlookers - if there are any. So, Renault isn't edgy anymore.But the cars are pragmatic, space efficient and - aside from the switch layout - logical. The boot is deep and long (the spare wheel is under the chassis) and split-fold rear seats make for a big cargo area. Seats are a cloth-leather combo and are reasonable in comfort. There's plenty of personal storage spaces. Better is the adjustability to create a perfect driving position.Instruments are a bit overdrawn - though the digital speedo is e asy to read - and switches are a dog's breakfast in their disproportionate size and layout. The cruise control master switch, for example, sits alone on the console between the front seats. Shouldn't it be with the other cruise control switches on the steering wheel? Tiny audio buttons are made for a three-year-old's fingers though the plastic box hanging off the steering column has remote radio controls.There's not much doubt that the French know how to make engines, particularly d iesels. The Megane's 81kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel is a little warrior. It's responsive, willing and tops its torque at a mere 1750rpm. But it is rattly and its coarseness at idle isn't up to the high standard of rivals.The dual-clutch (Volkswagen call it DSG) auto is actually better than the one in the Golf, with less lag off the mark and less hestitancy in on-off applications. Suspension is the same as most in its class - standard MacPherson front and torsion-beam bar at the back - which is tuned for comfort. There's disc brakes all around.The Megane is a five-star rated car that adds six airbags, all the electronic aids and helpful features like the automatic headlights and wipers and heated side mirrors that make life on a winter's morning slightly more pleasant. The Megane also has a full-size spare wheel so it's country-road approved.I like this car because it earns its stripes. The Megane isn't sugar coated and doesn't use tinsel to lure buyers. Its hones ty is, however, one of its greatest failings as Australians are embedded with the belief - probably borrowed from the US - that bright lights, lots of colour and loud music are integral ingredients of style.On the road, the little diesel engine is a bit harsh at idle and similarities with a Parisian taxi aren't lost. But it pulls strongly and the dual-clutch box's six cogs slip seamlessly and rapidly in sequence, so though it's not a particularly fast hatch, it always feels athletic and willing  to run.Though the drivetrain is commendable - especially the fuel consumption which averaged a very good 6.9 L/100km on my city/suburban cycle - the steering is a let down. Some people will like it for its lightness but to me it undid all the sportiness of the engine and gearbox.The handling should be right up there with the Golf but while it has strong cornering grip, the suspension is dialled more for comfort and so the ride gets a bit too soft for any driver enthusiasm. So what we have is a Euro car that has a lot of Asian mannerisms. Driver comfort is reasonable - the seats need more support - and cabin room is good, though headroom in the back is a bit tight.On price, features and ownership, it's a winner. But if you're more into style, maybe not.

When you are at the cutting edge of F1 racing you have a fair old leg up if you also happen to make production cars. Therefore, it's hardly surprising that Renault can produce a car like the Megane RS265 - arguably the best front wheel drive car ever built.VALUEThat's a huge call but the Megane RS265 delivers the kind of drive feel you expect from a car costing over $100,000. It costs from $42,640 and don't forget, it's a FRONT wheel drive.TECHNOLOGYSpawned from the French Gendarmerie's requirement for a quick response car (read pursuit vehicle), the Megane RS 265 achieves 195kW(265hp)/360Nm output from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It's a lot of grunt to feed through the front wheels but Renault equips its stove-hot hatch with a tricky differential as well as an independent steering axis to completely eliminate the dreaded phenomenon of torque steer that can hinder a high powered front driver.DESIGNMore than that, the chassis is so well dialled in as to render all wheel drive redundant on all but icy roads. That means a substantial weight saving. Further saving weight and complexity is the RS265 six speed manual only suspension. There's not a dual clutch system to be seen and it doesn't need one.DRIVINGOn a drive program for the RS265, we covered roads previously driven in the latest Porsche 911. And there was precious little difference in the pace of the Renault compared with the Porsche - selling at five times the price. And you can actually accommodate two people in the back seat of the Megane RS265.It has cornering capabilities like few other cars and really does feel like it's on rails at silly speeds. We took the car to a race track to extend the envelope but came away humbled because not once did the stylish Renault put a wheel out of place. It makes mug punters look like hero drivers.But there are some shortcomings. The engine redline is set at about 6500rpm and it needs to spin a little harder to eliminate unnecessary upchanges. The car also resets to Normal mode instead of staying in Sport where the extra power is available and the chassis is fully dialled up. The radio is still a challenge with fiddly small dials and labels.Apart from that, we'd have one of these cars over a WRX, Evo or anything else in the performance all wheel drive segment.VERDICTIt's just a better mouse trap, a bargain performance car that looks as good as it goes (and sounds). Santa, where did you go.... 

There's something very feline about this car. Like a big cat it sits coiled, muscles bunched, ready to spring into action. Renault describes the latest Megane RS 265 8:08 limited edition as the ultimate hot hatch and we're inclined to agree.VALUE AND RANGEMegane RS 265 is available in three editions; entry level Cup ($42,640), sporty Trophy ($47,140) and luxury Trophy+ ($51,640). This one the limited edition Trophy 8:08 is $49,990 and only 100 examples are coming to Australia. The 8:08 is for the time the car set at the Nurburgring where it holds the lap record for a front drive car.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre turbocharged four delivers an extra 11kW of power and an additional 20Nm of torque but only in sport mode. The rest of the time it's 184kW/340Nm. The engine is mated to a short shifting 6-speed manual transmission, with 0-100km/h taking 6.0 seconds flat. It's not as fast out of the gates as some but that's beside the point. Mid-range response is ferocious and Renault Sport's Cup chassis together with a limited slip diff deliver unbelievable traction.DESIGNA series of subtle exterior changes have been made, to project a more forceful image. The front end has been designed, with the F1-style front blade, characteristic of Renault Sport models, now featuring two rows of six LEDs and chrome highlights. In addition, the front headlight masks are now sporty black. New 18-inch matt black wheels rims are standard but the 8:08 gets black 19s fitted with 235/35 Bridgestone Potenzas the same tyre used for the record.There's also leather trimmed Recaros, bi-xenon directional headlights and limited edition Trophy decals. In addition the Trophy 8:08 is available in two limited edition colours: pearl white and Renault Sport's signature liquid yellow.Unfortunately the inside doesn't quite live up to the outside. It's all a bit drab apart from the yellow seatbelts and yellow stitching on the upholstery, steering wheel and gear lever knob. Other sporty appointments include a black lacquer finish for the centre console and air vent surrounds, plus a carbon-effect finish for the door panel inserts. The Recaros could do with some tilt adjustment and the forward mounted door handles lack leverage making it difficult to pull back when the large doors are swinging towards another car or a wall.DRIVINGWhat a ripper. You won't want to give this one back. The new model benefits from some exhaust tuning and enhanced engine acoustics. Suffice to say it purrs like a pussycat on the motorway, turning over a lazy 2500 revs at 110km/h. Acceleration is strong, the clutch action is heavy at first and gear changes are not always as smooth as we'd like.But it's in the twisty bits that this car really comes alive. Mid-range acceleration is phenomenal and it has an indecent amount of grip for a front wheel drive car. The four-pot 340mm Brembos allow braking deep into the corner.VERDICTAnyone considering a WRX or EVO should seriously have a long, hard look at one of these babies. It's really that good and you really won't be disappointed.

French police specifications have turned Renault's best into a record-breaker. They shopped local when they chose to upgrade recently. In Europe, with more corners, autobahns and Italian drivers, the police are in an arms race. They won't catch a Porsche unless they're packing heat themselves.So some lucky rozzers get to sample serious metal. German cops do get Porsches. Exotic brands such as Lamborghini and Ferrari loan out their supercars, with British and Italian plod both beneficiaries in the past.Renault has form here, going back to its Alpine A110 rally star of the 1960s and beyond. The requirements for the gendarmerie rapid response vehicle were specific: 265hp (195kW if you drive in metric), the same as the Subaru WRXs it already runs. Nothing from Renault qualified, although it did have something close.VALUEIt’s priced from $42,640 for the Cup and climbs up to $51,640 for the Trophy+ plus on-road costs. The upgraded RS does include a set of driving data screens, including a g-meter, and five different throttle response settings, with track work in mind.The top-spec car's kit levels are generous, but there's also an enticing special edition called 8.08 after the car's Nurburgring time which looks like the pick of the bunch. Australia's appetite for the RS250 is second only to France and Germany's, with 262 sold so far this year. And of course French orders are swelled not just by national pride but the demands of the gendarmerie, which has 80 and ordered 20 more. What chance of seeing a couple in our own highway patrols?DESIGNThe cabin has a more premium feel, with a soft carbon weave lookalike fabric in the doors and shiny black plastic around the centre console. The radio controls have been improved but the buttons are still too tiny. While I'm picking nits, the gearshift action isn't my favourite and the clutch take-up is a bit high. It's partly a case of finding the correct seating position, which can be a little elusive.TECHNOLOGYIts Megane RS250 has 250 horses under the bonnet and a reputation as the best-handling hatchback you can buy. All it needed was more power. The answer: turn up the spin cycle on the twin-scroll turbocharger pumping air into the car's 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The extra horsepower meets the gendarmerie's specifications and gives the RS265, as it's now known, even more of an edge. Torque increases as well, by 20Nm, with 80 per cent of that available from 1900rpm.The result is a marginal but worthwhile improvement in acceleration to 100km/h by one-tenth to 6.0 seconds. Top speed on the RS265 rises 5km/h to 255km/h while fuel consumption drops a little to 8.2 litres per 100km. Which is helpful when it’s slurping 98 RON. Like the previous version, it comes only with a six-speed manual.Full power is accessed via a Dynamic Management system, which delivers the extra oomph when the sport button is pressed. This also lowers the intervention threshold for electronic stability control, which can be turned off completely for track days.As before, power goes only to the front wheels and Renault tackles the problems of using them for traction and direction with a limited slip differential that proportions torque to the wheels in response to their grip levels. It's mechanical, so there's no loss of power. Renault's sophisticated front suspension set-up also separates the steering and dampers, reducing torque steer -- tugging at the wheel under hard acceleration. DRIVINGTo test the RS265, Renault went to the home of rear-wheel-drive performance cars that cost two or three times as much: the Nurburgring track in Germany. It came away with more than an impressive lap time for the twisty 21km. It set a record for a front-wheel-drive car of 8 minutes and 8 seconds. On the drive program in Queensland, a challenging road reminded me why I liked the previous model so much. Few cars could stay with the RS265 around corners. It eats them up with relish and then licks its lips. The 18-inch wheels on the entry model will protest a bit but their grip levels are exemplary and to make this car understeer on a public road you'd need to go bonkers. You can upgrade to even stickier 19-inchers with only a slight degradation in the ride quality. The ride quality feels sophisticated on either set of alloys and the car's overall composure is superb. Nothing rattles it -- challenging surfaces, rapid changes of direction and road camber, or all at once.It just confidently holds its line and the steering, although electric, is precise and absorbs problems that would shake other cars off course or shudder their steering wheels. This electric steering is among the best I've sampled and torque steer is so negligible as to be effectively absent. It didn't lack power as the RS250, but you'll want all 265 horses to make the most of its dynamic ability. There's a decent spread of turbocharged oomph, forceful from low-revs and linear to the limiter. The turbo spools up smoothly, too, so power doesn't drop off a cliff and it's more flexible uphill in high gears than I expected.Issues are niggles, not deal-breakers: it would be more potent with scope to rev the engine a little higher and although the exhaust has been tweaked, the sound could be more exciting. It's at its best revving up and down through tight twisties, when you get a bit of over-run. Find it, and everything's sweet. On a racetrack, the brakes would probably be the limiting factor.VERDICT The RS265 deserves to be every bit as popular as the model it’s replacing.Renault Megane RS265Price: from $42,640
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Service interval: 12 months/10,000km
Safety rating: not tested
Spare: space saver
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4cylinder; 195kW/360Nm.
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body: 2-door coupe
Weight: 1374kg
Thirst: 8.2L/100km, 190g/km CO2

In France, what the gendarmes want the gendarmes get and thank goodness for that. It has prompted Renault to produce arguably the best front drive sporty coupe currently available  in the handsome Megane RS 265.The gendarmes (police) have rapid response cars to get officers to crime scenes or collisions as quickly as possible and their latest vehicle tender specified 265 horsepower (195Kw) as the minimum for a rapid response vehicle. The Megane RS250 didn't measure up so Renault went to work, upping output to 265hp and implementing a series of other revisions along the way.The earlier RS250 was already an impressive piece of kit but this... this 265 is something else again.POPULARThe 250 has been popular in Australia with 700 units sold in the last two years. It makes Australia the third largest market in the world for the RS250 behind France and Germany. It has some stiff competition in the VW Scirocco R and the soon to be released Ford Focus ST five door hatch.PRICEThe Renault has a significant price advantage over Scirocco starting at $42,640 for the Cup model. Two other versions are available featuring more kit and larger wheels; the Trophy and the Trophy+ with a limited, 100 unit edition Trophy 8.08 celebrating the RS265's recent record for a front drive car around the legendary Nurburgring track in 8.08 seconds.CHANGESSubtle exterior changes mark the 265 over the 250 with dual lines of LED daytime running lights, black-out trim panels, gloss black body hardware and matte black 18-19-inch wheels. More changes are evident inside including a revised and classier looking dash with new carbon look fascia and piano black highlights. The instruments have white face dials and there's a range of new goodies, model dependent.ENGINEThe engine has been tweaked for more power and improved torque. It's a 2.0-litre petrol unit with a twin scroll turbo, variable inlet valve lift and other detail changes. Boost pressure has been upped to 2.5bar but the engine complies with Euro 5 emissions and uses less fuel than the 250 at 8.2-litres/100km.Outputs are 195kW/360Nm, the latter from 3000rpm. Renault claims a conservative sounding 0-100kmh sprint of 6.0-seconds. Feels quicker than that. Some work has been done on the exhaust for better flow and improved note.DYNAMICSThough the 250 had a reputation as one of the best handling front drivers around, the 265 is better again. It uses a mechanical limited slip front differential to apportion drive and a clever independent steering axis front suspension system to avoid torque steer under heavy throttle applications.Renault specifies the base car to the same chassis spec as the previous top line model adding superior rubber into the equation and a new `dial-up' dynamic management system offering Normal, Sport and Off. It acts on various functions including throttle response and power delivery.THE DRIVEWe drove the base model and the 8.08 on a good long fang in country Queensland in possibly the ideal RS265 environment - mountain switchback roads followed by country B roads with wide sweeping corners and short straights. It was eye opening to say the least.Front drive cars just don't handle like this - or they didn't. It makes all wheel drive redundant because not once did either car put a wheel out of place, even under extreme pressure on pitifully uneven and winding roads with rough bitumen.We guess being as intimately involved in F1 as Renault is pays dividends on the street. Surfing the wide torque band is a pleasure, hooking hard into tight corners a buzz. It sits flat and stays controlled all the time but the brakes did fade a tad on one downhill mountain run.VERDICTPity the 0% Renault finance deal doesn't apply on Megane RS265. That would make it even harder to resist than it already is. But why would you resist something as good as this?Renault Megane RS265Price: from $42,640
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Service interval: 12 months/10,000km
Safety rating: not tested
Spare: space saver
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4cylinder; 195kW/360Nm.
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body: 2-door coupe
Weight: 1374kg
Thirst: 8.2L/100km, 190g/km CO2

Revheads will love this review, but if you don’t fall into that category (poor things!) you may care to skip it…The French police have used the hotshot Renault Megane RS250 hatch as their pursuit vehicle for many years, and loved it. But when calling for tenders for the next group of highway pursuit machines they complained that their previous 250 horsepower Renault Megane didn’t have enough performance. So they demanded more, and the result was the RenaultSport 265 with – you guessed it – 265 horsepower.Keep in mind this is a pursuit car, not a track beast, so it could be involved in long and unpredictable chases of bad guys where maximum braking may be needed at any moment.Having said that, the French police, true to a longtime desire of revheads, insisted the Megane RS265 be tested at one of the most famous of all European road circuits – the green hell that is the Nurburgring long track. There the new machine slashed the previous record for front-wheel-drive production cars by an amazing 11 seconds, to just 8:08 minutes – more about that number in a moment.Needless to say, the French police immediately pushed aside all the other competitors in the performance test and signed up for the Megane RenaultSport 265.Now Australian drivers can sign up for one as well. The local importer finds itself more and more often being regarded as a retailer of high-performance hatches so has put us down to receive not one, but four, variants of the latest Megane RS265. These are the RS265 Cup, RS265 Trophy and RS265 Trophy+.These models will remain on sale indefinitely while the fourth, a special limited edition called the RS265 808 (so named for the 8:08 minute record set at the Nurburgring) is also on sale now. Only 100 will be imported to Australia, we anticipate these 808s being sold out quickly so it might be worth getting onto your Renault dealer as soon as possible.RANGEThe RenaultSport Megane range starts from $42,640 for the RS265 Cup and tops out at the  RS265 Trophy+ priced from $51,640. There's also the RS265 Trophy (from $47,140) and the limited edition Trophy 808 (from $49,990).TECHNOLOGYThe French don’t talk about kilowatts, which is surprising considering that they invented the metric system, but in Australian terms the latest redhot Renault Megane puts out 195 kW of power. Torque is a towering 360 Newton metres thanks to the installation of a turbocharger in this 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder unit. That torque peak is maintained all the way from 3000 revs to 5000. Even better, there’s good pulling power from 1900 rpm upwards.RenaultSport (which is what the ‘RS’ stands for) has long been a master of putting big torque through the front wheels and has developed a mechanical differential and a complex front suspension system for the 265. The Megane RS265 engineers feel this makes more sense than taming wheelspin on one of the front wheels by using the ABS system. Thus avoiding heating up the brake discs by the ABS system dabbing one of them on to cut wheelspin.DRIVINGWe had a tremendous day’s driving out of Brisbane and into the mountains north of the city as part of the media launch of the new Renault RS265. This car has acceleration that sees it jump to 100 km/h in just six seconds. Even better it has linear acceleration that just keeps coming due to the effects of the electronically controlled turbocharger and throttle systems.The driver can dial up everything from modest running to full-on track performance – only at a track please if you do buy one of these machines – including the ability to turn off all of the electronic stability aids. This is not a machine for those who don’t know what they are doing when behind the controls…Brakes are huge and have the power to haul speed down very quickly. The steering is fast and responsive with a pleasingly tight lock-to-lock movements. Ride is firm but not overly so and noise levels don’t rise over much when on Australian coarse-chip road surfaces.VERDICTThe latest hotrod Renault Megane impresses with full-on track performance and fast and responsive steering. Escaping the French road police is no longer an option.Renault Megane RS 265Price: from $42,640
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Service interval: 12 months/10,000km
Safety rating: not tested
Spare: space saver
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4cylinder; 195kW/360Nm.
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body: 2-door coupe
Weight: 1374kg
Thirst: 8.2L/100km, 190g/km CO2

There's an easy way to get a grip on the latest Renault Megane RS 265. Think of it as the much-better-looking French equivalent of the Subaru Impreza STi. Without all-wheel drive.The Megane hero hatch has been a familiar sight in Australia over the past couple of years, firstly as the Renault Sport 225 and then the 250, delivering the same sort of turbocharged thrill ride that's familiar to anyone who has jumped into Subaru's charismatic WRX.Now the upgrade to the RS 265 level lifts things to an STI standard, polishing the RS halo with extra power and torque, visual tweaking and extra equipment. It even has the sort of inlet-and-exhaust fireworks that provide the punctuation to time with an STI.The name change on the 265 is the reflection of the horsepower number in the engine room, even though the French are responsible for the rule of kiloWatts in Australia. Adding 15 horsepower - that's 11.2kW - doesn't seem like much, but it is the way the punch has been packaged that makes it special.The car starts on the button as a regular 250, but when you toggle the ESP into Sport model it unleashes the whole package. That means a different exhaust beat, much more response to the throttle, and an almost-total lack of turbo lag, as well as a bigger mid-range surge and the 265 top-end power.The RS range - including the pocket rocket Clio - has been very good for Renault during a massive rebuild in Australia, doing a WRX-style job of bringing newcomers to the brand."We love RS dearly. Renault Sport has been very good to us, and for us," the managing director of Renault Australia, Justin Hocevar, tells Carsguide. "We're now the third-largest market in the world for Megane RS and closing on number two, which is Germany. It's an authentic performance car and Australians have come flocking."VALUEThe RS now comes with three levels of trim and equipment - Cup, Trophy, and the new Trophy+ with more focus on luxury. None of the cars qualifies as cheap, but for the money - from $42,640, up slightly from $41,990 for the RS250 - they are well equipped and the finishing is top class. Everything you can see and touch in the cars is classy and substantial, and some of the 2012 changes - the radio interface, for one - have been made in response owner feedback.The standard stuff runs from 18-inch alloys on the Cup chassis package to dual-zone aircon, LED running lights and an RS monitor. The Trophy adds Recaro cloth bucket seats, 19-inch alloys, a tyre pressure monitor and hands-free ignition. The full-loaded Trophy+ gets electric front seats, fixed glass sunroof and a satnav and reversing camera package that lots of people now demand although they will be paying $51,640.Sitting between the Trophy cars, until they're sold, is yet another limited-edition Megane RS. This time it's called the 808 - after the car's 8 minute 8 second lap of the Nurburgring racetrack - and it comes with 19 inch alloys, Recaro leather seats and bi-xenon lamps, special Bridgestone tyres and decals for $49,990. Renault says there are only 100 cars for Australia, half each with special yellow or white paint.TECHNOLOGYMost of the update work on the RS is dancing around the edges, including the engine. It has more turbocharger boost and some inlet changes to liberate the extra power and torque, as well as the special sport driving mode. Renault Sport developed the package to win a French police tender for pursuit cars, which meant matching - ironically - the Subaru WRX.So the Euro5 compliant engine - although testing is done with only the 250 package - brings those 195 kiloWatts and 360 Newton-metres of torque at 3000 revs. Renault says it means a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.0 seconds, with fuel economy of 8.2 litres/100km and emissions of 190grams/kilometre of CO2. "We've got a 5.7 per cent improvement in fuel economy and emissions over the RS250," says Hocevar.Elsewhere, the RS monitor alloys the driver to track their action - and gives access to five throttle maps and a lap timer - and the car gets 'highway mode' turn signals that flash three times in a single touch. I've found this system, which is even in the latest Ford Falcon, is a good indicator of the age of any car since it's now compulsory in Europe. To make things a little nicer inside, there is an air-quality monitor that automatically switches to recirculated air if things get putrid outside.DESIGN The giveaway to the RS265 is a predictable bank of LED daytime running lamps, while the nose also has black masking around the headlamps and a front spoiler that Renault says was inspired by its involvement in Formula One. Inside, there are red seat belts and colour-coded stitching on the leather pieces, as well as a new digital speedometer. The 18-inch alloys are a new design, the bigger satnav screen is welcome - but means you cannot have the RS Monitor on the Trophy+.SAFETYNone of the RS cars has been belted into a wall to produce an NCAP score, but Renault has a very strong corporate focus on safety and it's likely the RS265 would make the five-star standard. The protection package includes eight airbags, ABS and ESP, brake-force distribution and brake assist, automatic headlamps and a limited-slip differential which is fitted for performance but also improves the chance of avoiding a potential collision.DRIVINGThe Megane RS looks terrific, with a combination of class and menace, and it's the same when you drive. The cabin is comfy, well equipped and nicely finished, so it's easy to sit back and relax. The minor switches can be confusing and hard to find, the RS Monitor display is too small for me, and parking and lane-change visibility is crimped by the car's hunkered-down rear end. But that's pretty much the end of my complaints.I expected the latest RS to be over-firm in the suspension but it's actually complaint on all surfaces, not too noisy, and gives good grip and feedback at the wheel. I begin with the engine in the 250 default settings, where it's easy to keep up with traffic, ease along on the freeway, and sprint a bit by pushing beyond 4500 revs. It's already a car that delivers on its RS promises.But then I switch across to unleash the 265 package and the car goes wild. It's not untamed, or nasty, just wicked. I'm now getting instant response to the tiniest tickle on the accelerator, all turbo lag is banished, and the car is eager, eager, eager. This is a French WRX with more style and classier quality than the Japanese car and I really begin to enjoy myself.Corners come and go without the slightest fuss, as the RS has really substantial cornering grip and I can used the limited-slip differential to get onto the power early and hard for some fun running. The six-speed manual - there is no auto - is slick and the RS Monitor hints at the best gear for any situation. Then I flick it back to 250 and things quieten for a stop-start run back to through the city. And no-one has to know that we've both been a little bit naughty on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.VERDICTThe update to the Megane RS brings much more enjoyment that expected from relatively minor changes.

Having a good car isn't good enough to be a winner in the small car class. Just ask Renault, whose Megane is earning a trickle of interest amid a torrent of sales. Put that down to lack of knowledge in the brand.Renault is starting off a small base in Australia and is still educating the public that French flair is a no-cost option, not an extra-cost one. In the Megane buyers get a solidly built hatch that rides well and has enough standard gear to be value for money. The downside is a continuously variable transmission in the petrol models that drones worse that a seminar speaker. The diesel's a better engine but is too noisy under load.VALUEThe bottom line is $26,000 buys a base model Megane Dynamique with 16-inch alloys, a six-speed manual gearbox and most of the features you want except satellite navigation. That's about what it costs for a Mazda3 MaxxSport but the Mazda does come with satnav. Spend $2500 more for a Megane with the 1.5-litre turbodiesel and a six-speed auto. The Privilege spec level raises the bar by $4000 for the petrol and $5000 for the diesel.TECHNOLOGYThe dual-clutch automated manual transmission works well with the diesel. There's a moment of hesitation off the line but the torque rolls on early and gives the hatch decent performance around town. It doesn't have the punch of a Ford Focus TDCi but it also uses a litre less diesel every 100km, with Renault claiming fuel use of 4.5 litres/100km.STYLINGThe front end of the Renault is distinctive without straying too far from the accepted small car formula. The bumper sweeps up to the top of the wheel arches where it neatly blends in with the wraparound lights. Rear seat legroom is on the tight side to be packing two adults in the rear for a lengthy trip but the boot's 360 litres of space is easy to load.The interior is just starting to date - and Renault persists in putting the sound system controls on a block behind the steering wheel where they can't be seen or easily used. Putting a cupholder in front of the USB input isn't a "Eureka" moment, either.SAFETYThe Megane was the first small car to earn a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. That was five years ago and shows how well engineered the Renault is. Six airbags are supplemented by stability and traction control and there are seat belt reminders for both front seats.DRIVINGPut the boot in to the Megane and it punches back well above its weight. The transmission is geared for economy but will quickly drop down a couple of cogs if there's enough right-foot pressure.  And the brakes are close to best in class. The 280mm front and 260mm rear discs are consistent and effective at any speeds, though they start to bite earlier in the pedal travel than most Asian cars.Ignoring the diesel clatter, the 1.5-litre turbodiesel is the engine of choice. The 2.0-litre petrol is more than OK but uses too much fuel. That can't be said of the diesel - Carsguide averaged 6.0 litres/100km. That's above the claimed figure but still impressive for a car carrying four in the urban jungle.The seats are comfortable and the vision forward and rear is better than average, meaning the Megane ticks about every box you can ask it to. Better noise isolation is about all I'd want.VERDICTA five-year warranty sweetens an already good deal for the Megane. It isn't going to outsell the Corolla but is a smart alternative for those who don't want to run with the pack.

We turn the spotlight on the Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup and ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?Renault's feisty 2.0-litre hot hatch. If you fancy an EVO or STI, do yourself a favour and have a good, long hard look at one of these. It's that good (without qualification).How much?The Megane Renault Sport 250 Cup is priced from $41,990 while the harder edged Trophee version is $46,990.What are competitors?Mitsubishi's Lancer Ralliart and of course Sooby's evergreen WRX, both of which are around the same price (avantgarde styling might put conservative punters off)What's under the bonnet?Motivation comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylidner engine that pumps out 184kW at 5500 revs and 340Nm at 3000 revs. 80 per cent of torque is available from 1900 revs. Drive is through a six-speed manual box, with a limited slip diff and Brembo stoppers.How does it go?0-100km/h in 6.1 secs. Don't fall into the trap of arguing this has got more power than that. This has got all the get up and go you need and is one of the finest handling fronties you'll ever experience. With 80 per cent of the torque available from 1900 revs, acceleration is smooth and responsive thanks to the twin scroll turbocharger and continuously variable intake valve timing.Is it economical?Takes premium unleaded. Rated at 8.7 litres/100km (bog standard car 8.2). We clocked up 400km at a rate of 9.0 litres/100km (even with a bit of twisty stuff thrown in).Is it green?Surprisingly, it gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Guide, producing 201g/km of CO2.Is it safe?You bet. Scores five out of five in crash tests.Is it comfortable?Fits like a glove. Short shifting manual is forward mounted and falls easily to hand. Features an independent steering axis layout at the front where the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction performance.What's it like to drive?Let's just say it will put a smile on your dial. Not a lot of rear vision, but you're going to be more worried about what's in front rather than behind. Ride quality depends on the surface, but it remains suprisingly settled on bumpy country roads. Wicked turn of speed with incredible levels of grip  who needs all wheel drive?Is it value for money?For the price it's a steal. Only option metallic paint at $800. Pity it doesn't include satnav.Would we buy one?Show me where to sign. Bang for your buck, this rates up there with the best of them.