2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8L 16V 6MT FWD (280 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The fourth generation of the Megane appeared on the market in 2016, and it was available in a few versions, but the most awaited of them was the RS, which Renault introduced in late 2017.

As one of the most successful European automakers, Renault was keen to prove its ability to produce sports cars. The French brand was connected with the motorsports world to the highest levels and had many Formula 1 World Championship titles under its belt as an engine manufacturer.

Moreover, it had a separate department that created performance-oriented vehicles, namely the Renault Sport, which was responsible for creating sports cars such as the Clio R.S. or the Megane RS. These were among the best on the market, challenging other hot hatches such as the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, to name just a few.

In September 2017, Renault unveiled the Megane RS at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Unlike its predecessors, which were available as three- or five-door hatchbacks, this came just in a five-door version. The French automaker noticed that customers started to be less attracted by the sportier-looking three-door bodyworks and chose the more practical five-door ones. The car shared almost nothing with its non-RS sibling.

At the front, it featured a distinct fascia adorned by the RS badge on the grille and a bumper that sported an apron filled by side scoops, checker-flag-styled LED daytime running lights, and a center air intake divided into two parts. From its profile, the 2018 Megane RS showed its specific front fenders, which were slightly wider than the non-RS version due to the different suspension. In addition, it featured extracting vents on the front fenders.

The aerodynamic side sills created a connection with the rear quarter panels that were wider than on the regular Megane. Finally, at the back, Renault Sport created a unique-looking bumper that featured a center-mounted exhaust flanked by a diffuser. On top of the tailgate, it also added a wider roof spoiler than on the rest of the range.

Changes continued on the inside, where Renault installed a pair of Alcantara-covered Recaro sports seats that hugged their occupants and kept them safe during high-speed cornering maneuvers. The driver fronted a digital instrument cluster where the tachometer took center stage. A flat-bottom steering wheel that sported the RS badge on the lower spoke, and the aluminum pedals completed the sporty image for the driver.

Atop the center stack, Renault installed a portrait-mode infotainment system named R-Link that featured a specific menu named R.S. Monitor, which could record the car’s performance on a track and help drivers improve their lap times by showing them braking points and race lines. In the back, the automaker added a split-folding bench that could expand the trunk.

Renault offered the Megane RS with one engine option, a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-pot, and two engine choices: a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox with launch control. Furthermore, those who opted for the Cup Chassis got a limited-slip differential and a lower, stiffer suspension than the regular Megane RS.