Renault has been making RS versions of the Megane since 2004. A decade isn’t a lot when you consider the Golf GTI in nearing its 40th anniversary. And yet with the perfect balance of 2-liter turbo power and responsive chassis, the French have managed to carve their name into the industry.
Competition between hot hatches is stronger than ever. The current generation Megane RS date back to 2010, when it was launched with 250 hp. In this industry, four years feels like four decades, so to spruce things up a bit, a new model called the RS 275 Trophy was just launched.
As the name suggests, the 2-liter turbo engine has been re-tuned to produce 275 hp, delivered at 5,500 rpm, with the maximum torque of 360Nm (265 lb-ft) is available from 3,000 rpm. This is partly due to a new titanium exhaust with carbon fiber tip from Akrapoivic.
If you’re willing to spend more than the €38,000 (£33,000) base price, the 275 Trophy can be optioned out with things like adjustable Öhlins Road & Track dampers with steel springs and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires developed specifically designed for performance FWD cars. Optional 19-inch black Speedline Turini wheels can also be ordered.
The cabin is familiar to any current Megane RS owner, but comes with leather and Alcantara Recaro bucket seats with visible red stitching. The best feature has to be the steering wheel, wrapped in Alcantara and accompanied by a Zamac gear lever knob. Everything you touch lets you know the Megane RS is designed to go fast.
It’s also worth noting that a stripped down version called the Trophy-R has recently rest a new world record for production FWD cars around the Nurburgring. Oh yes, Renault has its mojo back!
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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