German carmaker Volkswagen has been linked to hot hatches for a long time now, thanks to its physics defying and signature styling GTI and R models. Not until a year ago when Renault entered the market with its resident hot hatch did it pose a threat to Volkswagen's Scirocco.

Dubbed the Megane RS (Renault Sport), Renault has been making its sporty car the main topic of different editions - from the Cup chassis to Trophy (which is an upgraded version of the Cup) and now the Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition. While the Cup chassis Megane RS was a hatch that screamed piping hot from the outside in, the Monaco GP Limited Edition that you see here takes it down a notch, swinging the car towards a mix of elegance and sporty.

Exterior

This is due to the colour of the car that portrays it to be mild-tempered and civilised. Unlike the 2.0T version that we tested last year, which was a whole lot of blistering yellow (in and out), Pearlescent White was developed specially for the RS, underlining its exclusivity as a Monaco GP Limited Edition. On the outside, its shell isn't going to blow up any parties. Instead, it brings about a level of excitement and "X-factor" that feels intensely personal despite its massive tailpipe and large air intakes.

In a world of well-labelled dressed, hedonistic cars that portray to be carefree with its bright colours, this understated limited edition hot hatch is serious. Its pleasingly fluid silhouette looks sporty and unabashedly swelled up as the sweeping roof lines move to the rear. As a result, the emerging details are gorgeous. From the smiling front bumpers and "Monaco GP" badges on the sides to the contrasting side mirrors and rear spoiler, this car is a stunning work of art.

But what really catches the eyes of the bystanders as you stop by the traffic lights are the set of size 19 diamond-effect shoes that reside under the flared arches. To the casual observers, some may even think that the red Brembo brake calipers glowing behind the rims are one of the aftermarket products fabricated to enhance the car's sporty looks.

Interior

Another area that the Megane RS trumps is the cabin. Taking cues from the elegant and no less athletic Pearlescent exterior, white detail revisions are sported as opposed to the signature yellow. In a way, it's faintly menacing and fresh, with seatbelts, upholstery stitching, dash-strip, door handles and tachometer matching the limited edition colour. Such attention to details just reminds you that you are behind a wheel of something unparallel.

A pair of leather bucket seats by Recaro has also been thrown in to enhance the feel of edginess. One of the set-back though, is that the steering wheel did not have the rugged bottom-shaved appearance that would have sung perfectly in tune with the genre of the car. The other was a funny feeling that the car had signs of a left to right-hand drive conversion because of the start button and handbrake which were positioned closer to the passenger.

Still, no shame in that because it is a superb place to be in, with serialised RS Monaco GP plate etched on the centre console, spacious interior even for the rear passengers and a feel-good quotient which amplifies every time onlookers steal a stare and whisper to their friends with actions and looks of downright jealousy.

And unlike what most auto makers provide for purists, the Megane RS comes with the Renault Sport Monitor which provides drivers with real-time competition-style data feedback. This includes the performance display, acceleration and even the main engine functions such as the turbo pressure and oil temperature. It's almost like a manifestation that is utterly worth your time to explore and use.

The Drive

You're more than aware that the car will do the familiar dance moves of mambo jumbo on the tarmac with confidence the moment you fire up the Megane RS by way of a starter button. The early sign of eclectic yet low grunt from the exhaust is slightly in tune with the idling tempo. Mash the accelerator a couple of times when in neutral and drivers will be able to hear the warning of full-blown insanity that's to come on the road, albeit a little too toned down for our personal liking.

Although the car has been tweaked aesthetically around the outside as well as in, Renault left the engine untouched, leaving us with the same engine as the normal one. Still, the 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplant is quite an engine. It packs the grunt of a bigger car that can whip out 250 horses and 340Nm of torque in an absolutely silken manner, accompanied by a strong punch that can send this hot hatch to the 100km/h mark in 6.1 seconds.

The acceleration is relatively linear on the straights too, which is always a tempting factor that will sway drivers to inch the tacho needle all the way to its 6,500rom redline. More often than not, the car tracks with poise and precision, keeping the most demanding critiques satisfied even when manoeuvring through meandering roads.

Additionally, when driven like a samaritan, the car's set-up - while typically sports car firm - doesn't give itself up to uneven roads. Instead, it transforms into a competent city car that will sit four comfortably.

Conclusion

While the Monaco GP Limited Edition is essentially similar to the normal version of the Megane RS, it's a race car that translates elegance with edginess successfully. The Monaco GP Limited Edition, which costs merely S$6,000 more, comes with the serialised badge that will constantly remind you that you are driving a car that was made for someone special.

With its understated racy looks and colour, this limited edition thoroughbred hot hatch is bound to win buyers over.

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