Photo: Dale Lomas on BridgetoGantry
Renault Sport engineers are currently working overtime at the Nurburgring, lapping the Nordschleife in what may seem to be a beefed-up Renault Megane GT. Don't let yourselves fooled by this test mule, though, you're actually looking at the next Megane RS.
We'll start with the question that sits on any hot hatchback aficionado's lips, namely the way in which the French go-fast compact sends its power to the road.
Judging by what we can see in these Ring spyshots (lens tip to BridgetoGantry for the images), as well as by the details visible in the previous, on-the-road spy photos, the Megane RS will stick to the FWD configuration that has defined the manic machine since its beginnings.
To be more precise, while we can clearly see the nut of the planetary axle up front, such a feature seems to be missing at the rear. However, we'll add the mandatory grain of salt brake dust, as a similar FWD-AWD game of questions took place before the 2016 Ford Focus RS with its drift-capable AWD system was launched.
Sticking to FWD would bring a few advantages to Renault. The development costs would obviously be smaller, especially since the car wouldn't have to compete with the Blue Oval hot hatch for the 'Ring AWD record.
Then there's the issue of all-paw traction adding weight, one that affects the Focus' high-speed acceleration performance, as well as its fuel efficiency and its price - don't get us wrong, in our book, the Mk III Focus RS remains THE hot hatch of the moment.
Nevertheless, the Megane RS should borrow its rear-wheel steering from the GT (a class-first feature, remember), albeit with a different Renaultsport tune for the hardware. If you think about it, the four-wheel steering does compensate for the missing AWD (let the debate begin).
Overly ambitious fans and dreamers will be disappointed by the Megane RS following the Clio RS down the five-door only path. And while we prefer a more mature attitude in this area (read: it's OK to have five doors), we're not sure about the dual-clutch-only form of the new range-topping Renault Megane. This hasn't been confirmed yet, but the chances of a clutch making it into the car are slim.
Judging by what we can see in these Ring spyshots (lens tip to BridgetoGantry for the images), as well as by the details visible in the previous, on-the-road spy photos, the Megane RS will stick to the FWD configuration that has defined the manic machine since its beginnings.
To be more precise, while we can clearly see the nut of the planetary axle up front, such a feature seems to be missing at the rear. However, we'll add the mandatory grain of salt brake dust, as a similar FWD-AWD game of questions took place before the 2016 Ford Focus RS with its drift-capable AWD system was launched.
Sticking to FWD would bring a few advantages to Renault. The development costs would obviously be smaller, especially since the car wouldn't have to compete with the Blue Oval hot hatch for the 'Ring AWD record.
Then there's the issue of all-paw traction adding weight, one that affects the Focus' high-speed acceleration performance, as well as its fuel efficiency and its price - don't get us wrong, in our book, the Mk III Focus RS remains THE hot hatch of the moment.
Nevertheless, the Megane RS should borrow its rear-wheel steering from the GT (a class-first feature, remember), albeit with a different Renaultsport tune for the hardware. If you think about it, the four-wheel steering does compensate for the missing AWD (let the debate begin).
Overly ambitious fans and dreamers will be disappointed by the Megane RS following the Clio RS down the five-door only path. And while we prefer a more mature attitude in this area (read: it's OK to have five doors), we're not sure about the dual-clutch-only form of the new range-topping Renault Megane. This hasn't been confirmed yet, but the chances of a clutch making it into the car are slim.
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