Renault Megane RS safe in Australia – for now

Aussie fans of the Renault Megane RS may rightly be concerned that the availability of the popular French hot hatch is under threat, following reports of its exit from the UK and the likely end of right-hand drive production.

However, Renault Australia has confirmed to carsales that the performance car will remain on sale Down Under into next year, albeit in limited numbers.

“Production for our market hasn’t ceased and the Megane RS will continue in Australia in limited numbers into 2023,” a spokesperson told carsales.

That said, these “limited numbers” have not been detailed, nor how long “into 2023” the Megane RS will continue.

Just 80 examples were delivered to Aussie customers in the first half of this year.

As we’ve reported previously , the current Renault Megane faces an uncertain future and is tipped to be replaced by an all-new battery-electric hatch by 2025.

The most aggressive and focused of what was once a four-variant range, the current 2022 Renault Megane RS Trophy is powered by a 221kW/400Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.

Drive is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission, with help from a limited-slip differential.

The previous Sport and Cup versions featured a lesser 205kW/390Nm tune of the same engine and in the former’s case, blended the lower outputs with a tamer chassis set-up.

Those two were culled from the local range in early 2021, with brand execs citing an overwhelming consumer preference for the more focused flagship.

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