The Motor Forum

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject: Renaultsport Megane 250

From Autocar:

Renault is aiming to trump the Golf GTI and rattle the Ford Focus RS with this Renaultsport Megane 250, revealed this morning in Geneva.

The latest hot Megane is based on the Coupé three-door Megane hatchback - Renault is said to have no plans for a five-door variant - and it uses a version of the outgoing car's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, now cranked up to produce 247bhp (250PS).

As with the Clio and Twingo, the Renaultsport Megane will be offered with both a regular suspension set-up and a more extreme Cup chassis; the latter appears to be the spiritual successor to the outgoing Renaultsport Megane R26, since it features a limited-slip differential. All cars will feature a six-speed gearbox.

Renault has yet to confirm performance figures, prices or detailed specs on the car, but we'd expect a price tag of around £19,000 for a regular Renaultsport Megane when the car goes on sale in the UK this autumn.

Looks and sounds like it's going to be pretty special, not sure on the wheels though. It'll be interesting to see how it fares against the Focus RS.
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simonp · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

I had high hopes for this car, but it's fucking hideous! And how can it be forecast with a 19 grand price tag when the cooking model will cost you more than that with an option or 2?

"him" · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

Grampa · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

All in the eye of the beholder - I love it and it will be the first thing I look at for my next change, maybe not in yellow though and I might get a quote for spraying the black bit body colour.

The previous 225 was pretty close in price to the 'luxury' models as is the Astra VXR, Focus ST etc, so the price will hopefully not be too far adrift.

Can't see it rattling the Focus RS though, but to me it's already trumped the Golf GTi just from seeing the pics.
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Matt · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

I don't think yellow suits its shape, but red would work. I also like how the wheels are a bit 'eighties'.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject:

It would look in Megane 225 Orange, with Megane Cup multispoke gunmetal wheels. Photoshop whizzkids?

Matt · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject:

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simonp · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject:

It'll probably come on those wheels as standard, as I suspect the show ones are an optional 19"er.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject:

Much better!

Blarno · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

Arches: Crap
Exhaust: Crap
Black bits: Crap
Wheels: Mega crap.

Verdict: Crap.
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Nice Guy Eddie · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

Matt you need a job at Renault to show them how its done. 19k for 150bhp sounds a bargain but like the others I'm not loving the looks.
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject:

PR · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:

That's a massive disappointment visually. Where is the signature Renaultsport flared bodywork? Those crappy stuck-on wheelarch extensions just don't make the grade - how rubbish does that cut-out for the fuel filler flap look? And the feeble effort at a vent on the trailing edge of the front arch?

And those are possibly the most hideous wheels I have ever seen.

Sorry, Renault. I was so looking forward to this car but this is an epic let-down.
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Martin · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

Agree with the negative comments, that looks a complete mess.

Compare and contrast with the subtle flared bodywork of the 197, that's how it should be done.

We saw a new 5 door in Stratford on Sunday and Mrs M (a big fan of the last model) was horrified with the dullness of it. This is too far the other way and joins the RS and those tarted up VXR's in the tacky zone.
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Stuntman · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:18 pm Post subject:

Thumbs down from me too.
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Grampa · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:50 am Post subject:

I guess there's no point in me doing the traditional 'what car should I get?' thread prior to my next change then

Thanks for the orange one Matt - loved that colour on my 225 and would be happy to have it again.
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Andrew L

simonp · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

I've looked at this again and I'm really not liking it. The bodykit looks like it's been stuck onto a standard car, rather than it having bespoke bodywork. I hate the black front, hate the gay LED lights, hate the stoopid front arch vents that probably do fuck all, hate the exhaust coz it's copied straight from the VXR, hate the way that the fatter bodywork accentuates the way the rear panel sweeps under the lights (which is there but not as noticable on the standard model) and as for the wheels... BARF!

Big TC · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:41 am Post subject:

Nope - doesn't do it for me. Those wheels are quite possibly the worse car wheels I have ever seen.
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Gurney · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject:

the other ct · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

In that yellow/gold colour it looks like a SEAT.
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Sav · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject:

197 facelift: looks shit
Cilo facelift: looks shit
Laguna: ZZZZ
Megane: ZZZZ
Megane 250: looks shit

Oh dear...
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PhilD · Running In Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 410

I like it, in black please, Mmmm....

Grampa · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

Hor-f..king-ray, someone else who likes it - beginning to think I was a lone voice!
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Andrew L

Nice Guy Eddie · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:56 am Post subject:

You see, everythings got a buyer.
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Apex clipper · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:31 am Post subject:

I like it.

I lied.
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simonp · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

The new Megane is already being offered on £0 deposit 0% finance and the 3 door's only been out about 6 weeks!

Grampa · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

Not had great press reviews has it (I'm hoping the RS will be a big improvement), coupled with the fact that any maker needs to give the market a shot in the arm at the moment, and it's not surprising.
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Andrew L

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

That's gonna be a right bastard to reverse
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Nelson · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

have to agree I am quite smitten by that, not in the same league as the Focus RS mind you, that has my balls twitching very excitedly at that, but it has got something appealing.

that in my favourite colour of titanium grey with better alloys would look so much better.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

Rodge · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

Not keen on that at all.

It looks like the designer attached a compressor to the exhaust pipe and blew the car up until it swelled quite badly. The wheels are not all that nice either.
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Andy C · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject:

I do like it, apart from the wheels.

No way near as good looking as the previous Megane RS, however.

Matt · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

Black and grey for those who requested it.

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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject:

I think the non metallic racing blue will be the colour for the 250 with the current anthracite wheels, Matt!!
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"him" · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

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Matt · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject:

DRLs! Noooooooooooooooo!

What's with the crappy yellow rev counter? It's wanky enough on Ferraris, let alone a Renault.
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks Matt, I like that.

I wish they had gone for a double exhaust not the central VXR type one.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

Grampa · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject:

PR · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

Those close-up pics aren't doing it any favours. The body kit - for that is what it is - doesn't even fit properly.

I like the interior, though. Even the yellow rev counter.
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Blarno · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject:

simonp · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

Car are quoting a price of £23-24K for these, rather than the £19K by Autocar. I think that may be nearer the mark, as I can't see them chucking in Recaros, 19" wheels, the extra bodywork and Brembo brakes for 300 quid.

simonp · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

Skyhook · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Grampa · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

DaveGibson · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:23 am Post subject:

Skyhook · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:50 am Post subject:

Pkh72 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject:

I think this looks alright in some of the darker colours on the 'shops above, i don't think the yellow does it any favours at all.

The wheels are seriously nasty though, and that's coming from somebody that doesn't mind the snowflakes on his ST, so obviously has low standards.
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simonp · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

So, is there also a more powerful version on the way?

Apparently some chap in France pulled off the engine cover of his 2.0T 180 Megane to find this moulded on the back of it.