In muted colours the Type R is deffo becoming a grower. They are about £23K used now and an easy 360 bhp with just a remap. Tempting. The issue with modern smaller capacity FI and Direct Injection engines, whilst they are very efficient both in terms of emissions and power, you can't just rock up for a remap and add decent bhp above standard without further significant mods. With the modern 1.6 and possibly the new Renault 1.8 the days of adding a quick +50 bhp to a 2.0 with just some cheap software will probably be history. A Focus ST is already the same price as a Megane GT so Renault are going to struggle to make it competitive with the Ford. If it's £28K and all a bit mediocre then end of Renaultsports credibility. For over £30K it's got to be something special. Interesting times ahead.
Until you stand back and look at it, dear god man that's up there with the ugliest looking cars going.
I agree with you. I'm not a Honda person at all, but the last 3 Type-R's I've thought have looked good. They are outrageous, and I take the point that somebody made about not being able to turn up to a business meeting or a date in one, but how often do we criticise staid, bland re-hashes from the German manufacturers? At least this looks different. Amongst a stable of cars it perfectly fits a requirement, just not as an only car-daily driver.
More of an in depth review: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1678199 The extreme has a certain appeal.
Agreed. If prices for the outgoing Type-R continue in the downward trend, they will become an extremely tempting proposition. I think the modifying argument is probably a moot point as manufacturers aren't really bothered about that. So long as it performs out of the box, that's enough. The current Clio sits above the Fiesta in cost terms so it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Megane was the same.
Yes, once the turbo Type R drops a load more they will be great choice. Maybe not an everyday car and it's probably the only car where an aftermarket 'toning down' kit would sell well. Modifying and the Megane? Big market for a bit more cheap power and if the capability isn't there in the future it will put off many buyers - both for new and used.
I'd say from a strategical point of view renault now have the upper hand as Honda have played their hand already and Renault can suss it out in full with a view to improve it. Hopefully they will! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When did you last get your eyes checked? Engineering wise the Honda appears great but the looks are flawed and they (despite all the noise about automatics) only have a manual car. The Renault could be targeting a softer, more subdued(stretching maybe) market.
Renault could get away with subdued looks but it also needs some stand out features. Something to pull buyers into the showroom. If it hasn't got anything special going on then buyers will just buy the subdued rivals that are a better deal. The future of the Mk3 now hangs on this Sept outcome.
Few more snaps of Renault testing at the 'ring: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/new-renault-sport-megane-spied-on-the-nurburgring/36409
They will be getting a feel for just how fast it is. Will they or won't they have a pop at that record. Got a feeling it will struggle. Could cheat a bit like Honda and do it on non production spec tyres.
Quote from Jeremy on Renaultsport forum: "The All-New Mégane Renault Sport will be the first hot hatch to have four wheel steering and will offer customers a choice between two chassis set ups. Renault’s 4CONTROL four wheel steer technology offers drivers enhanced agility, cornering performance and steering precision by enabling the car’s rear wheels to assist in steering by means of an electromagnetic actuator mounted on the rear axle. Renault Sport engineers have specifically calibrated the system to take the car’s performance to new limits thanks to exceptional agility and cornering stability at higher speeds. New Mégane Renault Sport customers will also be able to choose between a Sport chassis, which combines high performance and ride comfort in everyday use or a Cup chassis, engineered to deliver the ultimate track performance experience."
Has there been any confirmation of an LSD? It must have one in Cup spec I'd presume but I forget if it's even been talked about.
Standard marketing blurb from Renault. The 4WS will give it something, but the Ring is also a power and aero circuit. Weight may also be an issue for the MK4.
Wonder which random names they will now use for the 2 models. Cup, Cup S, Trophy, Nav or maybe a fresh new marketeers thought of the day.
Only with reference to the 2 types of chassis. Renault have a bit of a past habit of playing about with model designations so we will see. If it is 'sport' then we would have the Megane Renault Sport Sport. Nico getting paid to do what's right:
Pretty sure the naming scheme for the mk3 was technically cup and sport, the cup being... well the cup and what we all call FF the sport being minus cup-chassis but more equipment and the option to add the chassis onto it.
Initial launch they didn't though. I'm sure over the coming years they'll have a Trophy among numerous other special editions and marketing attempts to resell the same hardware with a bit of paint I suggest Mug-S might be a good name for at least one.
Maybe back to basics then..... Mug-S would be the limited special edition they often knock out just before they actually make it a full production model. Could also be time for some more lurid Gordini action, or I fancy a rare but fresh and new contender, the Monaco.
My guess is the ring effect is to gauge themselves where this fits with the competition and previous models. They'll have Laurent whatever his name is at the wheel for a direct comparison. That comparison I can't see coming back well, so we'll quietly forget about the ring and push it in another way. This is a 'different' car to what we've had before.
Well there's still some hope they will have a few surprises. I get the feeling it's going to be a disappointment, just how much might be the question. The Cup and Sport chassis options probably means no adaptive damping. Shame as Renaultsport would have been the boys to sort a decent solution to give a great mix of capabilities from one chassis/suspension type.
Too right mate, they haven't been doing good recently have they. Up to them to sort it and knock out something worth having.
