Swansong Renault Megane RS Ultime revealed

The 2023 Renault Megane RS Ultime special-edition has been revealed ahead of its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon tomorrow, marking the final product from the Renault Sport performance sub-brand established in 1976.

An unspecified number of the limited-edition hot hatch, based on the Renault Megane RS Trophy that just received a price increase to $66,000 plus on-road costs locally, have been confirmed for Australian release in mid-2023 (as they have for the right-hand drive Japanese market, but not the UK).

No pricing has yet been announced for the Ultime, which will be the final version of the accomplished Megane RS hot hatch, although the Megane nameplate will live on with the upcoming Renault Megane E-Tech Electric SUV.

Renault’s Alpine sister brand, which will introduce a battery-powered sports car co-developed with Lotus before it becomes an all-electric brand in 2030, will effectively replace Renault Sport, but it was axed in Australia along with the A110 in 2021 because the sports coupe didn’t meet new side-impact crash regulations.

Limited to 1976 units globally, the Renault Megane RS Ultime is adorned with bold matte-black decals on its roof, bonnet, rear bumper, doors and fenders, inspired by Renault’s latest logo and inscribed with the number 1976 on the right-hand side of the vehicle.

Also finished in black are all exterior logos and door-handles, plus the window frames, fender caps, rear diffuser and the front bumper’s Formula 1 blade, while the key fob also features the same stripe pattern.

Black ‘Fuji Light’ 19-inch wheels alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza S007 semi-slicks from the Megane RS Trophy R, and accompanied by Brembo dual-cast brakes with red callipers.

Star Black, Pearl White, Sirius Yellow and Tonic Orange exterior paint colours will be available.

Inside are Recaro bucket seats finished in titanium black Alcantara upholstery with embroidered RS monograms, unique door sills and a numbered metal plaque on the centre console signed by Laurent Hurgon, the development driver who set Nürburgring, Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps lap records.

Renault also highlights the car’s central exhaust and 60mm wider front and 45mm wider rear fenders, but these are standard in the five-door RS Trophy – as are RS Vision LED headlights, a 9.3-inch touch-screen infotainment system, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Bose sound system, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

Other carryover hardware includes lowered Cup suspension and the Trophy’s 4CONTROL four-wheel steer system.

The only options are a sunroof and head-up display, but they won’t be available in right-hand drive vehicles.

There are no changes to the RS-spec Megane’s 221kW/420Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, matched as standard to the RS Trophy’s six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (no manual version has been confirmed) and mechanical front diff lock, so expect the same 5.7sec 0-100km/h acceleration time.

“Megane RS represents 15 years of my work at Renault Sport,” said Hurgon.

“Since the Megane II phase 2, we have constantly improved its dynamic performance in order to remain the leader in front-wheel drive sports cars.

“The records on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are unforgettable challenges, full of passion, adrenalin and emotion. I am particularly proud to sign the version crowning this wonderful saga.”

When the Renault Megane RS bows out in later 2023, it will follow the axing of the smaller Clio RS – just as Ford discontinued the Focus Fiesta and Focus STs in 2022 – and leave the French brand without a rival for hot hatches like the Hyundai i20 and i30 Ns and Volkswagen Polo and Golf GTIs, and the upcoming Toyota GR Corolla and Honda Civic Type R.

Instead, the born-again Renault 5 electric hatch – which along with the Renault 4 and Megane E-Tech electric SUVs have been confirmed for Australia – will spawn a hotter Alpine version in 2024.