The potent new Renault Megane R.S. is now on sale with prices starting from a competitive £27,495 – and for those able to order in May, Renault Sport dealers will throw in the £1,500 Cup Chassis Pack for free as an added incentive.
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Boasting Britain’s most powerful 1.8-litre turbo engine, the 280hp Megane R.S. price compares very keenly to alternatives such as the 275hp Hyundai i30 N (from £28,010) and 230hp Volkswagen Golf GTI 5-door (from £29,120).
Although the Honda Civic Type R boasts more power, at 320hp, it also costs rather more: prices start from £30,995, £3,500 more than the Renault (or £5,000 once Renault’s May Cup Chassis Pack offer is factored in). Confirmed prices are also lower than Renault’s original estimates of £29k.
Offering “world-first” 4Control four-wheel steering as standard, Renault is offering the new Megane R.S. with a choice of both manual and EDC dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, both offering the same 280hp and 297lb ft of pulling power.
Both will do 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, and offer a fairly brag-worthy top speed of 158mph. The manual averages 39.7mpg, with the EDC improving to 40.9mpg; CO2 dips from 161g/km to 155g/km.
At £29,195, the Megane R.S. 280 EDC is £1,700 more than the standard car.
The free Cup Chassis Pack combines stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar with a limited slip differential, plus red brake calipers for extra on-street kudos. Other options include 19-inch alloys for £950, Brembo bi-material brakes for £900, and three different paint options – metallic is £550, Renault i.d. metallic is £650 and Renault Sport i.d. metallic is £1,300.
As standard, all 2018 Megane R.S. come with sat nav, climate control, rear parking sensors, Nappa leather steering wheel and R.S. Vision full LED lighting complete with those distinctive ‘chequered flag’ driving lights.
If you want the free Cup Chassis Pack incentive, you have until the end of May to order, with first deliveries due in July. Renault expects the UK to be a key market for the Megane R.S., as we are for all Renault Sport models.
And in case you’re wondering how many Renault Sport Meganes the firm has sold since revealing the first one at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, wonder no longer. The currently tally is up to more than 53,000, and counting.