Spied: Renaultsport Megane

[mikeyb]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Renault/Megane/81088104436.jpg

http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Renault/Megane/81088104453.jpg

http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Renault/Megane/81088105126.jpg

http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Renault/Megane/81088105347.jpg

http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Renault/Megane/81088105131.jpg

Just days after the Renault Megane hatchback and coupe’s debut at the Paris motor show, our spies have caught the red hot Renaultsport version testing at the Nürburgring.

The large Brembo front brakes and centre-mounted tail pipe give away this test car’s identity as the high-performance model, and sources at Renault confirm that the hot hatch has been testing at the ‘Ring.

However we expect the finished Renaultsport Megane - likely to be unveiled at next year’s Geneva motor show - to be lower, have a much more aggressive front end and bigger air intakes than the recently unveiled standard Megane or this prototype.

Renault’s designers have been allowed more freedom to toughen up the looks of the Renaultsport model, based as it is on the new Coupé, which is being marketed as a separate model to the five door.

The standard new Megane five-door goes on sale in November. It will be joined by the three-door coupe – upon which the hot hatch is based – in January 2009 with the Renaultsport model arriving next September.

[TinmanMS6]

That is hot! I believe I recently read an article speculating that Renault may attempt a comeback in the US market.
**fingers crossed**

[mikeyb]

That is hot! I believe I recently read an article speculating that Renault may attempt a comeback in the US market.
**fingers crossed**

Well just go down to your local Nissan dealer. The Sentra is a Megane and the Versa is a Clio. There has been speculating for years regarding Renault coming back to the States when they took over Nissan.

[seanmcsean]

That's actually not all that bad looking.. Nice work renault.

[coolmazda5]

Well just go down to your local Nissan dealer. The Sentra is a Megane and the Versa is a Clio. There has been speculating for years regarding Renault coming back to the States when they took over Nissan.

For the Megane too? Here is a pic of a Megane like the one I rented a couple of years back while across the pond. I saw "Nissan" underpinnings in it, but they were completely different looking vehicles (and the Megane felt more spacious too)

Anyway, I think that is cheaper for Nissan to bring the more Renault influenced cars here than bringing the whole Renault brand, that would be a win (Are you listening Carlos?). Renault cars are much sexier than Nissan cars IMO

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide2008/photos/2008/Nissan/Sentra/Sedan/2008_Nissan_Sentra_ext_4.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Renault_Megane_Sedane_Black_2008.jpg/800px-Renault_Megane_Sedane_Black_2008.jpg

[mikeyb]

For the Megane too? Here is a pic of a Megane like the one I rented a couple of years back while across the pond. I saw "Nissan" underpinnings in it, but they were completely different looking vehicles (and the Megane felt more spacious too)

Anyway, I think that is cheaper for Nissan to bring the more Renault influenced cars here than bringing the whole Renault brand, that would be a win (Are you listening Carlos?). Renault cars are much sexier than Nissan cars IMO

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide2008/photos/2008/Nissan/Sentra/Sedan/2008_Nissan_Sentra_ext_4.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Renault_Megane_Sedane_Black_2008.jpg/800px-Renault_Megane_Sedane_Black_2008.jpg

The current Megane shares it chassis with the B16 Sentra.

[mikeyb]

Renault guns for Golf GTI and Focus ST with storming hot hatch.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_575/car_photo_287757_25.jpg

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_575/car_photo_287760_25.jpg


Things are really hotting up at Renault. Following the launch of the three-door Mégane at the Paris Motor Show last week, Auto Express can reveal work has already begun in earnest on a flagship Renaultsport version to replace the outgoing R26.

It’s set to hit showrooms in a year’s time with a price tag of around £20,000. The fiery hot hatchback will take on the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST in a sector that’s proved hugely successful for the French manufacturer in recent years.

We caught the performance three-door virtually undisguised at the Nürburgring race circuit in Germany – and our exclusive illustrations show how the finished model will look.

At first glance, the prototype – which was spied undergoing testing – resembles the regular three-door Mégane. Study it closely, however, and there’s a central tailpipe – a trademark of Renaultsport editions – while the wheels, tyres and brakes are much larger than on the standard model. The final car will have very aggressive styling with a deep front spoiler, lots of air intakes and a full bodykit with plastic inserts.

Under the bonnet, the car will stick with the current R26’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, producing at least 230bhp. The new Mégane weighs less than the outgoing model in standard guise, and the hot hatch will use ultra-light materials to shed even more pounds.

That should lead to a 150mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of less than six seconds, plus better economy and emissions than the R26. A clever electronically controlled differential will help maximise the front-wheel-drive car’s traction; the weight reduction will benefit handling, too.

Building on the dynamic advances made on the regular Mégane, and with better agility and grip, the new car should be fun to drive. Inside, there will be racing-style bucket seats and brightly coloured trim with metal inserts. Although the three-door will be the bigger seller, a five-door is rumoured.

So is a replacement for the current 175bhp dCi diesel, with even better economy and emissions. The company has a long history of producing special editions, so a Cup version is also expected.

The Renaultsport Mégane is set to make its official world debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, before going on sale in the UK next autumn.

[coolmazda5]

The current Megane shares it chassis with the B16 Sentra.

Ahhhh, OK, but completely different cars...

[Kymerik]

That's one slick looking french hatch :) I'd hit that