Caught in the classifieds: 2018 Renault Megane RS

Back in 2004, Renault decided to flip the world of hot hatchbacks upside down with the introduction of a brand-new model based on the second-generation Megane. Dubbed the Megane Renault Sport II (or RS for short), it was one of the most aggressive, driver-oriented hatchbacks ever made. It was able to run rings around VW’s Golf GTI and Ford’s Focus ST without even breaking a sweat. It might not have been the most practical hot hatch, but it was definitely the most hardcore one. It practically cemented Renault’s position as the hot hatchback king.

The second-gen Megane RS was based on the all-new third-gen Megane, so it was a lot more luxurious and practical, as well as offering even more performance. The latest, third-generation Megane RS is based on the fourth-gen Megane, and although it looks like a facelifted version of its predecessor, it’s a very different beast altogether. In this week’s ‘Caught In the Classifieds’, we’ve got an incredible example with just 13,000 miles on the clock, costing a cool £22,490. I know that sounds like a lot of money, but as you’re about to see, for the performance on offer, it’s a lot of car for the money.

Exterior
Visually, the Megane is one of the meanest hatchbacks around. A seventh-gen Volkswagen Golf GTI looks pedestrian in comparison. The first-gen RS had an incredible design, mostly because of how unique and exciting the rear end looked. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it was undeniably special. The third-gen Megane RS is a lot sharper because it’s got a more modern design. Some people think it looks fussy, others agree it’s got the right amount of aggressiveness and presence.

It’s not as shouty as a Civic Type R but it’s not as mundane and dull as a Golf GTI. It fits snugly somewhere in the middle. Compared to a normal Megane, the RS has a wider body with flared arches, a front bumper with large air dams and foglights in the shape of the RS logo, a rear bumper with a massive central exhaust, two diffuser-elements sticking out on either side of it, and a very raked top-mounted deck spoiler.

It’s also got RS-bespoke wheels wrapped with low-profile, high-performance tires, and one of the coolest rear taillight designs I’ve seen on a hatchback. I love how far the lights extend, almost touching the Renault logo, and how well they complement the car’s wide stance. Overall, this has to be one of the smartest-looking hot hatchbacks right now.

Interior
As is the case with all previous Megane RS models, the newest RS sort of falls flat if you compare its cabin with cabins of its contemporary rivals. The build quality is okay but it’s not as good as the Golf’s, and while they’ve tried to make it look interesting and exciting, it’s not a very appealing design.

I don’t like the fact that the centre console is empty and almost completely devoid of any buttons. The infotainment screen and all of the controls for the radio and the A/C look like they were an afterthought. They’re mounted to a massive square slab that just looks like it’s been plastered on the dashboard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s functional and ergonomically sound, but it looks so out of place with everything else.

Then you touch the controls and everything makes much more sense though. The three-spoke steering wheel is superb. Not too thick but not too thin. The gear lever is incredible. The throws are short enough but it doesn’t feel too notchy. The pedals are exceptional for heel-and-toe. You get what I’m getting at, don’t you? As boring as it is to look at, to actually get behind the wheel and drive, the latest Megane RS is one of the finest machines ever created.

Legroom and headroom in the back are okay but they’re not class-leading, and the same goes for the boot. The Megane RS is a very practical car if you want to use it as a daily driver, but there’s more to it than that. Otherwise, you might as well have an ordinary Megane, right?

Engine and Performance
Downsizing seems to be the trend as we move ever-closer to the complete electrification of the automotive industry, so it’s no wonder that the latest RS has a 1.8-litre four-cylinder instead of a 2.0-litre. That being said, because the engine is heavily turbocharged, it still puts out a healthy 276 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque. Power is naturally sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but you can have it with Renault’s EDC dual-clutch as well. As lightning-quick as the dual-clutch is, you’d have to be mad to have anything other than a manual in a hot hatchback.

Performance is of the exceptional variety. It’ll hit 62 mph in 5.8 seconds and top out at 158 mph. In the real world, it’s a lot quicker than those figures would have you believe. The way the engine pulls from, say, 2,000 rpm, all the way to redline, is simply remarkable. It’ll put a lot of more powerful cars to shame, especially on twistier A and B-roads. The way the front diff extracts grip from the road surface is neigh-on mimicking an all-wheel-drive system. At times you forget it’s a FWD hatch because it’s got so much grip. If you go for the Cup trim you also get a mechanical Torsen LSD, but then you’d have to deal with a 10% stiffer ride compared to the base Sport trim.

The steering is lovely too. Plenty of feel and feedback for a modern rack, but it’s really easy to manoeuvre in town at slow speeds as well. At low speeds when you’re just trundling along it doesn’t feel all that different from a normal Megane. Perhaps a bit stiffer and more taught, but nothing you couldn’t live with every day.

Model: Renault Megane
Trim: R.S. 280 Sport
Mileage: 70,000
Price: £15,950

Why you should buy one
I’m a massive fan of rear-wheel-drive cars, but even I have to admit the new Megane RS is a spectacular piece of kit for the money. It feels like it could annihilate some seriously expensive machinery on track, which it probably could if you go for the Cup or the Trophy versions. As it is, the ‘regular’ Sport trim is the perfect daily-drivable hatchback for anyone thinking of buying a Golf GTI or a Ford Focus ST. If you’re still on the fence, give one a quick test drive. There’s no better place to search for used Renault Megan cars for sale than on DesperateSeller.co.uk. I guarantee you’ll never look at the Golf or a Focus ever again.

DesperateSeller.co.uk rating: 8 out of 10