FOLLOWING ITS UNVEILING at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Renault has today issued a raft of details and images for the 2010 Renault Megane Renaultsport (RS).
The new Megane RS comes in two guises: Sport and Cup. Both receive the same 184kW turbocharged 2.0 litre engine and driving through the front wheels.
The Cup, however, gets a limited-slip differential, which no doubt helps restrain the effect of the available 340Nm of torque when it hits the tarmac through those front hoops.
Power is now 15kW and 40Nm higher than that of the old Megane RS, with 80 percent of the peak torque coming in from as low as 1900rpm thanks to its twin-scroll turbocharger.
According to Renault, 25 percent of the 2.0 litre turbo engine is new compared to the Megane F1 Team R26 engine, with new intake ports, reinforced pistons and conrods, new intercoolers, sodium-cooled valves and new piston ring carriers.
A six-speed manual is the only gearbox on offer.
Suspension geometry is the same as the old RS, and electronic stability control comes as standard.
The Megane Renaultsport’s electric power steering system has been recalibrated though, and boasts a sharper feel and better feedback over the outgoing model.
A new feature called the Renault Sport Monitor acts as an on-board telemetry system (with some of the tech likely borrowed from the Nissan GT-R), offering data on turbo boost-pressure, oil temp, brake status and engine performance.
A ‘G-metre’ and a stopwatch with 0-100km/h and 0-400m timers are also included.
LED running lights, 18-inch alloys, a unique bodykit and a central-exit exhaust signify the RS’s sporting intent, while alloy pedals, body-hugging seats, a unique steering wheel and a shift alert adds a tinge of raciness to the interior.
Pricing and distribution has yet to be announced, however we’ll keep you posted as that news comes to hand.
The 2010 Renault Megane Renaultsport is expected to land in Australia early in the second quarter of next year, targeting the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus XR5 Turbo.
Following the Megane RS will be the ‘regular’ version, landing before the end of the second quarter.
Pricing for either model has not been confirmed. In the UK, the Renaultsport Cup will start from £21,995 (AU$39,285).
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Looks awesome! Then again, we all know Renault’s record when it comes to bringing cars over to Aus. e.g. the latest Clio has been available in France for a good few years!!!
Is it just me or does “the 2.0 litre turbo engine is 25 percent newer than the Megane F1 Team R26 engine” read a bit strange?
Another car with a bumhole lol. But seriously, I’d love for someone to turn up to work in one of these and beat my boss in his Golf GTI, sick of him going on about it
heh If the “cup” RRP(before on roads) in AUS is less than AUD40k or not far from the figure. Then it’s a deal!
We all know however this is going to cost more than 60k given how much the Clio Sport Cup goes for now.
The car looks great why the black wheels? They look really crap. I’m just being sour because we all know that Renault Australia will take much longer than the supposed release date “early in the second quarter of next year” to sell it in australia and that the price will be hiked up incredibly high.
Actually black wheels look great! They also look clean after some very hard braking. I also love the centre exhaust outlet, beats the twin each side “wannabe V8″ exhaust on 4 cylinders (new GTI hint hint) we’re seeing more and more these days.
This car looks great, and by all first impressions it drives even better. I just wish Renault Australia woke from their hibernation and actually imported the latest models. But I don’t get it, in Europe the updated Clio RS 200 has been on sale for some time yet Renault Australia are still promoting the old 197 (I doubt they have that much 197 stock to move). Does Renault continue building the old 197 with the new 200? Confusing.
I’ve contacted Renault Australia many times asking when the new Clio RS 200 will be released as it has been on sale overseas. I get no response at all. No wonder they struggle to sell cars here. If head office don’t give a crap about customer enquiries then it’s a flow on effect down to the guy who washes the windows, NO ONE CARES.
When will Australian sales divisions in companies wake up to the fact that people with money and buy things have access to the internet, know how to use the internet, and know WTF is going on overseas. We aren’t kept in the dark anymore because we’re isolated from the rest of the world geographically. Sales and marketing people in Australia still think it’s 1988 for some reason and that email is something you only read about in science fiction comics. Somebody save us from these ignorant morons please!
Sorry about the rant. Great car. Wish Renault Australia was letting us know something about it too.