RENAULT Megane RS 5 Doors 2004-2006 Photos, engines & full specs

While its three-door sibling rocketed to the top of the hot-hatch segment, the five-door version was the family car that could smoke many sports cars.

When Renault decided to enter into the compact hot-hatch segment, it asked the Renault Sport department to develop a vehicle starting with the Megane. The result was impressive, and soon it became everyone's favorite. At least in the countries where Renault sold it. The North-American continent never got it.

At the front, the RS sported a new bumper with a wide lower grille needed to cool the intercooler and engine. For safety reasons, the designers added a pair of fog-lights on the outer sides, which looked like they were aftermarket. Instead of adding some overfenders on the wheel-arches, they replaced them with new ones, and the same went for the rear ones. The doors looked the same as the rest of the Megane hatchback range, but they were lighter. Renault Sport made a new rear bumper to complete the sporty image and installed a dual exhaust in its mid-section.

Inside, the carmaker installed a full-leather interior with side bolstering fitted as standard, while it offered sports seats on the options list. The handbrake looked like an airplane throttle, with the locking button on the driver's side. Its keyless start and entry was also a standard feature. From the factory, the car came fitted with aluminum sports pedals. In the back, it was the same bench as in any other five-door Megane, but with leather upholstery.

Under the hood, Renault Sport proved its value and made a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that provided 225 hp. It was mated exclusively to a six-speed manual. As an option, Renault offered a limited-slip differential and a stiffened chassis, on the Cup option package.