New Renault Megane RS priced from $45K

The hotly-anticipated new Renault Megane RS 280 will be priced from $44,990 in Australia.

Arriving in showrooms from November, the Megane RS is seriously wicked up for 2019, available with both manual and automatic transmissions, boasting more power and new performance technologies. It is now (exclusively) a five-door offering, too.

The Megane RS 280 is available to order now and to test-drive from September. The entry six-speed manual model starts at $44,990 plus on-road costs. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic version starts from $47,490 plus on-road costs.

Those after even more performance can opt for the Cup Pack, a $1490 option. It brings a stiffer Cup chassis, Brembo brake calipers, 19-inch black alloy wheels, a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential and a bi-material brakes – but can only be optioned with a manual transmission.

At those prices, the Megane RS 280 will be considerably pricier than key rivals, the likes of which include the Hyundai i30 N and Volkswagen Golf GTI. It is also about $1000 dearer than the outgoing model, but still less than the Honda Civic Type R, which increased in price by $1000 in April to $51,990 plus ORCs

However, Renault Australia believes it has countered the price rise with ample performance and technology upgrades.

For starters, the 2019 Megane RS boasts a more powerful 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine shared with the new Alpine A110 Coupe.

While smaller in displacement than its 2.0-litre Megane predecessor, outputs are rated at 205kW (or 280hp) and 390Nm, endowing the hot hatch with a 0-100km/h time of about 5.8 seconds.

The added fire power is supported by the introduction of four-wheel steering. At speeds higher than 60km/h, the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction for improved stability, and under 60km/h, they turn in opposite directions for added agility and response.

Featuring 60mm wider front fenders that boast extractor vents (to suck turbulent air, reducing lift at high speed), the regular hatch gains a redesigned front bumper that packs F1-style aero blades, while at the rear there’s widened rear wheel-arches.

That said, the Renault’s biggest advancements cannot be seen. Beneath the Megane RS is a flat floor that channels air to a large rear diffuser which, combined with a subtle rear boot spoiler, is claimed to provide real downforce.

As such, Renault Sport has also made extensive changes to the Megane suspension. The RS rides 5mm lower than the less GT and gets substantially wider wheel tracks — up 45mm at the front and 30mm at the rear.

Like the last model, the Megane RS comes with the firm’s PerfoHub that helps reduce torque steer under hard acceleration.

As well as the aforementioned four-wheel steer, the Megane RS also comes with new hydraulic bump stops lifted from the current Clio RS.

Cleverly, the French go-faster division says this arrangement allows for far greater level of suspension calibration, meaning an optimum set-up can be achieved without the need for heavier, more complex adaptive dampers.

The Megane RS 280 features Renault’s Multi-sense driving mode system, which controls engine response, accelerator mapping, gear shift patterns steering stiffness and ambient lighting across five parameters: Comfort, Normal, Sport, Race and Personal.

The Renault’s added performance is supported by more standard equipment. Chrome plated door sills, custom RS roof lining and sports seats, and a Nappa perforated leather steering wheel and gear gaiter are among the internal embellishments.

Standard technology includes front, rear and side parking sensors, reversing camera, 8.7-inch portrait touch-screen with satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, heated folding electric door mirrors.

On the safety front he 2019 Renault Megane RS 280 boasts automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and hill start assist.

Further comforts such as an opening sunroof, Alcantara upholstery and eight-speaker BOSE sound system are available as optional extras.

Renault Australia will also release the hard-core Megane RS Trophy in 2019. Its power outputs will be boosted to 220kW/400Nm, but we expect a price hike over the standard Sport to about $50,000.