Renault Megane RS 265 2012 Review

That’s right, the RS265 was designed specifically for the French police to round up the iconic Japanese rally rocket. The production version, now on sale here, not only offers Australians the same performance as the WRX, but comes with a range of upgrades that aim to lift the exterior look, interior quality and value appeal of the range-topping Megane.

Not that we needed any convincing. Australia is already the world’s third-largest destination for the Megane RS, with more than 700 examples of the outgoing RS250 sold here since launch in late 2010, including 262 so far this year. We ranked behind only France (683) and Germany (348).

Still, Renault Australia expects the refreshed and expanded RS265 line-up to attract more than 500 local buyers this year, including about 10 remaining examples of the old RS250 and three versions of the new RS265, plus new ‘Trophy 8:08’ limited-edition. The latter celebrates the car’s front-wheel drive lap record at the famed German road circuit, Nürburgring.

In response to demand, the new RS625 will be available in three specification variants, plus a unique Trophy 8:08 special-edition. Just 100 will be offered -- 50 in signature Liquid Yellow and 50 in Pearl White.

Priced at $49,990 plus on-road costs, the Trophy 8:08 features leather-trimmed Recaro sports front seats, bi-Xenon directional headlights and unique Trophy decals. Black 19-inch Steev alloy wheels with red piping and the same Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres that were used to set the lap record are fitted.

The RS265 will also be available in regular entry-level Cup ($42,640 -- up from $41,990), more sporting mid-range Trophy ($47,140 -- up from $46,990 for the former Cup Trophee) and, for the first time, range-topping Trophy+ ($51,640) guises.

Like all RenaultSport models in Australia, RS265 models are covered by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty (which extends to the racetrack) and require servicing every year or 10,000km.

‘Mainstream’ RS265s are differentiated from the RS250 by a range of subtle exterior changes, including a “more expressive” front lip spoiler with F1-style blade featuring two rows of six LED daytime running lights and chrome highlights, black (instead of silver) headlight surrounds and new 18-inch matt-black alloy wheels.

The cosmetic updates continue inside, where new interior trims aim to lift cabin quality. There is a black lacquer finish for the centre console and air-vent surrounds, plus a soft-touch carbon-effect finish for the door panel inserts arm rests, matching the hard carbon-look dash inserts.

Other upgrades include the fitment of one-touch indicators and an air quality sensitive auto recirc for the climate control. The RS265 is the first Renault model to feature a new user-friendly radio interface.

All RS265s now come with a digital speedo and rear parking sensors, with standard Cup gear including dual-zone climate-control, Bluetooth connectivity and the RS Monitor, which displays real-time vehicle data including boost pressure, oil temperature, braking pressure, power and torque output, throttle position and transverse and longitudinal g-force.

The RS Monitor -- which is not available with navigation and/or a reversing camera, also includes a stopwatch and memory function for lap times and 0-100km/h and 0-400 metre acceleration, and can be used to scroll through five Sport mode setting -- snow, progressive, linear, sport and extreme.

Depending on the specification level, visible red or yellow stitching on the upholstery, steering wheel and gear lever knob compliments a dashboard trim strip and the flamboyant red seatbelts. The base Cup variant gets red seatbelts and red trim and stitching highlights, while those items are yellow in the Trophy.

In addition, the Trophy adds Recaro sports seats with cloth trim, 19-inch Steev alloys, tyre pressure monitoring and the Renault key-card, while new two-tone light grey and charcoal leather trim can be specified on the Trophy+ flagship’s (non-Recaro) powered and heated seats for no extra cost.

The most expensive Trophy+ model also scores a reversing camera, bi-Xenon directional headlights, front parking sensors, a glass roof and satellite-navigation via a new seven-inch colour monitor.

A rear-view camera with park-assist system is also available for the first time when satellite-navigation is optioned in Cup and Trophy models. On its own, navigation costs and the new in-dash screen costs $1490, increasing to $2490 with the reversing camera.

An $890 option across the range is the RS Red Design Pack, which comprises red pin-striping for the F1 blade, side protective mouldings and a rear diffuser.

Other Cup and Trophy options include front parking sensors ($390) and directional bi-Xenon headlights ($1490).

Metallic paint also costs $800 extra on all RS265 models, but the only other option available for the top-shelf Trophy+ is leather-clad Recaro front seats from the Trophy 8:08, priced at $1490.

Fitted with continuously variable intake valve timing and a twin-scroll turbo with 2.5 bar of boost pressure (up 0.2 bar), it develops 80 per cent peak torque from just 1900rpm.

At 6.0sec, the 265 shaves a 0.1 off the RS250’s already-quick 0-100km/h acceleration claim and increases top speed to 255km/h.

Enhanced engine acoustics and a freer-flowing exhaust with perforations and absorbers are designed to maximise sound between idle and 3000rpm, while Sport mode varies the engine mapping to deliver “the ultimate exhaust note at all revs”.

As a bonus, the revised engine is also 5.7 per cent more efficient, with combined fuel consumption now stated at 8.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of 190g/km when running on recommended 98 RON premium unleaded petrol.

All RS265s also come standard with a six-speed PK4 manual transmission, mechanical limited-slip front differential, a specific electric power-assisted steering system with just 2.66 turns lock-to-lock and RenaultSport’s firmer Cup chassis with a specific front suspension set-up with independent steering axis.

Kerb weight is 1374kg.

Like Volkswagen’s new-to-Australia Scirocco and Opel’s upcoming Astra CTC coupes, the Megane RS features two doors, a lower roof and more sporting rear-end, giving it a more pronounced wedge-shaped silhouette.

The longer, heavier doors make getting into the twin rear seats more of a chore, rear vision is more limited and luggage space drops to 344 litres. But those will be minor quibbles for a car designed primarily to please its driver.

There are also automatic headlights with washers, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors (plus front sensors on the Trophy+), and front seatbelt reminders, pretensioners and load-limiters.

It doesn’t end there, with automatic door locking above 30km/h, cruise control with speed limiter, one-touch indicators, automatic wipers, a reach/rake-adjustable steering wheel and Bluetooth phone connectivity also standard across the range.

Front braking is via red-painted Brembo four-piston callipers and 340x28mm vented discs, and 290x11mm solid rear discs.

The Megane RS is not only more focussed than both those hatch-based coupes, but a world away from the herd of circa-$40,000 hot-hatches that are essentially mainstream hatchbacks with more power and a tweaked chassis.

They include the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Mazda Mazda3 MPS, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Subaru WRX, while the latter pair up the ante substantially with more power, a more focussed all-wheel drive chassis and a pricetag closer to $60,000.

Ford’s wild limited-run Focus RS was a cracker but it lacked the hottest Megane’s coupe-like body style and is now out of production. Thus that leaves the RS265 as both the flag-bearer for piping-hot front-drive performance in a stylish two-door bodyshell, and a fitting replacement for the lauded RS250.

The 265 still has the 250’s purposeful burble at idle and spine-tingling exhaust note at 6000rpm in Sport mode. But now it’s accompanied by even stronger urge at all points of its newly white-faced tacho.

It’s still not enough to burden RenaultSport’s finely crafted Cup chassis, with only mild torque steer presenting itself even under hard acceleration out of corners, and even on the nastiest of road cambers. Porsche’s new 911 sets a new benchmark for electric steering, but the RS265 offers the most tactile, responsive and vice-free electric steering in any front-drive car we’ve driven.

Making the 265’s chassis even more special is its ability to resist bodyroll even when its massive reserves of lateral grip are tested, while still offering the sort of ride quality that many much milder hatches struggle to emulate.

Then there’s the individuality of the special RS interior, which couldn’t be further removed from the mainstream Megane. We love the unique soft-touch carbon-look surfaces and the new infotainment interface is a huge improvement -- dispensing with the fiddly navigation and Bluetooth connectivity of the RS250.

The Megane’s blasted centre console cupholder still fouls the silly Renault keycard slot and there’s still no auto or DSG transmission option, but again these are minor quibbles. Besides, the 265 makes up for this with a multi-function steering column stalk to scroll through the array of electronic stability control programs and the trick Nissan GTR-style RS Monitor, which presents every vehicle function imaginable.

Sadly, the latter cannot be had in combination with the new infotainment system or reversing camera, and nor are front-side airbags compatible with the Trophy’s hip-hugging sports buckets, which would probably prove tiresome on a daily basis anyway.

Even in its most basic Cup form, the new 265 is a hot-hatch sans pareil and a fitting follow-up to the benchmark-setting RS250.

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