Renaultsport Megane 250 Review

Tips & Advice

With the launch of the Renaultsport Megane 250, 2009's bumper hot hatch year keeps getting better. But is this the best of all?

"Cup or standard chassis? That's the question"

What is it?

The new Renaultsport Mégane 250 rounds off a spectacularly good year for hot hatches. We’ve had the new Ford Focus RS, VW Golf GTI and Renaultsport Clio 200 to play with, but will this last minute newcomer be the best of all?

What’s it like on the outside?

I’m going to stick my neck out and say that the Renaultsport Mégane 250 is the best looking current hot hatch you can buy. Yes, I know that some people will think that it looks chavvy, especially in its signature canary yellow paint, and I know that the bodykit looks like it was superglued on. But I think the overall result, especially in the grey colour of my test car, looks absolutely spot on.

What’s it like on the inside?

The interior of the RS is really good too. I like the non-Renaultsport Mégane coupe’s innards, and the RS follows those well-specced lines. One thing I’m not sure about is that Renault seems to have sewn together anything that can be stitched with nasty yellow thread that was already coming un-picked in the example I tried.

Needlework aside, for the first time from launch you can choose the plusher Sport version or the more focussed Cup chassis for your new Renaultsport Mégane 250. The interior is well specced, whether you opt for the standard or Cup, but with the former you get luxury kit like leather, heated seats and climate control which you don’t get in the £1,000 cheaper Cup.

What’s it like to drive?

The Cup car is the more aggressive of the two options. Its suspension package brings stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars; tasty satin black alloys and a proper mechanical LSD, unlike the electronic one on the standard car.

As soon as the going gets entertaining – like on the Ascari track Renault took us to – the Cup comes into its own. The LSD keeps the front wheels clawing for grip, the steering is weighty, direct and free of torque steer, and the suspension keeps everything planted.

But while the Cup is brilliant fun on a track with a nice smooth, manicured surface, the comfy standard model will be better for more people, more of the time, especially on the UK’s haggard roads.

Verdict

What Renault has done with the Mégane 250 is clever. The standard car has an everyday appeal to match the Golf GTI. It’s better to drive, nicer to look at and almost on a par in terms of quality. The only downside is the brand image. Meanwhile, the hardcore Cup version is a cheaper alternative to the Focus RS and is almost just as much fun despite its 60hp deficit.