Next Renault Megane RS to star at Monaco GP

Renault Sport has announced the all-new Megane RS, its Volkswagen Golf GTI-rival, will debut at the Monaco Grand Prix this Friday (May 26) ahead of official launch scheduled for the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the French car-maker's involvement in F1, the new Megane RS will arrive in Monaco driven by current Renault works F1 driver, Nico Hulkenberg.

The latest fourth-generation Megan RS will also be painted in a yellow and black livery which pays tribute to four decades of Renault-powered F1 cars.

As motoring.com.au revealed last October, much is already known about Renault's flagship hot hatch.

Biggest news is it will be offered with both a manual gearbox and a dual-clutch automatic transmission - addressing enthusiasts' fears it would follow in the tracks of the Clio RS which is only sold as an auto.

The Megane RS will also come with a new rev-match system which automatically blips the throttle for perfect downshifts. Renault’s alliance partner, Nissan, provided this technology, first seen in the 370Z coupe.

Controversially, to offset the lack of all-wheel drive, the all-new Megane RS will feature Renault's 4Control four-wheel steering — despite the system adding as much as 40kg to the kerb weight.

Renault justifies 4Control's extra kilos with the more agile handling the system offers.

Even within Renault Sport not everyone is a fan of the heavier rear-steer system and the more focused Trophy model Megane RS will delete it.

Renault Sport will also offer a Sport Cup chassis with track-suitable ride and handling which comes at the expense of ride quality.

Not confirmed at this stage is the engine, but it’s unlikely to be best-in-class for power.

Instead, engineers told motoring.com.au development focused on superior power-to-weight ratios.

It’s thought Megane RS will ditch the old F4R 2.0-litre turbo - with roots dating back to 1993 - in favour of the turbocharged 1.8-litre which powers the Alpine A110 revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

Instead of offering the Alpine A110's 185kW/320Nm, it’s thought engineers will boost power to around 225kW/400Nm.

The more powerful version of the 1.8 turbo will appear in the small lightweight Alpine in a forthcoming sportier version thought to be called the A110S.

Following the Renault Sport’s flagship hatch Frankfurt launch, the French performance division is likely to attempt to break the recent 7min 43.80 Nurburgring lap record for a front-wheel drive production car set recently by the new Honda Civic Type-R.