It doesn't matter if you are a student on budget, an executive fresh out in the society, or even a dad to a couple of kids. If you're a boy racer at heart, the Megane RS will stop you in your path.
Spawned from the Renault Sport division, which has a part to play in its Formula One efforts, there is little doubt of the RS' tracking capabilities, as well as the ability to turn daily drives into highly gratifying ones.
Bread-and-butter (sedan) lovers need not apply.
Exterior
It is almost impossible to rule out the importance of looks for the any hot hatches. The form taken by the sheet metal will immediately set up an impression, and first impressions are always important.
Put simply, if a hot hatch doesn't have looks that excite, it isn't one at all. Period.
Spawned from the Renault Sport division, which has a part to play in its Formula One efforts, there is little doubt of the RS' tracking capabilities, as well as the ability to turn daily drives into highly gratifying ones.
Bread-and-butter (sedan) lovers need not apply.
Exterior
It is almost impossible to rule out the importance of looks for the any hot hatches. The form taken by the sheet metal will immediately set up an impression, and first impressions are always important.
Put simply, if a hot hatch doesn't have looks that excite, it isn't one at all. Period.
Having seen on our roads for a couple of years now, the RS may be running low on novelty. But the people at Renault do not seem to be resting on their laurels.
The RS265, in this case, is imbued with special paint treatment, decorated with F1-inspired bits in glossy black, and completed with a matt-black-finished 18-inch alloy which is unique to the variant.
This means the RS is keen to play 'spot the difference', setting you off on a visual hunting trip for aesthetical makeovers from its predecessor.
While none of these changes are distinctive enough to pull off a different look, they give the RS a meaner stance - one that would make you think twice before provoking it into a race.
The RS265, in this case, is imbued with special paint treatment, decorated with F1-inspired bits in glossy black, and completed with a matt-black-finished 18-inch alloy which is unique to the variant.
This means the RS is keen to play 'spot the difference', setting you off on a visual hunting trip for aesthetical makeovers from its predecessor.
While none of these changes are distinctive enough to pull off a different look, they give the RS a meaner stance - one that would make you think twice before provoking it into a race.
Interior
Like the exterior, the RS265 underwent mild revamps on the inside. Most noticeable is the driver's instrument panel, which seems to have taken on a more 'sensible' design. The clearer markings feel more solemn, and a tad plain.
Glossy black trims have also found its way into the cabin, surrounding the door handles and centre console. While it takes a closer look to realise the enhancements, they do their bit to accentuate a more sporty feel. That said, we didn't quite like the chromed face on the gear lever.
Like the exterior, the RS265 underwent mild revamps on the inside. Most noticeable is the driver's instrument panel, which seems to have taken on a more 'sensible' design. The clearer markings feel more solemn, and a tad plain.
Glossy black trims have also found its way into the cabin, surrounding the door handles and centre console. While it takes a closer look to realise the enhancements, they do their bit to accentuate a more sporty feel. That said, we didn't quite like the chromed face on the gear lever.
One of the RS' appeal to a broader audience, no doubt, lies in its ability to ferry four adults in relative comfort, and the RS265 continues this trait.
Likewise, it still braces a twin of Recaro seats up front - one of the various weaponries in the RS' arsenal for an involving experience. Topping off the racy feel is a quad of yellow seatbelts, which has become one of the RS' trademarks.
Likewise, it still braces a twin of Recaro seats up front - one of the various weaponries in the RS' arsenal for an involving experience. Topping off the racy feel is a quad of yellow seatbelts, which has become one of the RS' trademarks.
The Drive
For fans of Renault (or hot hatches), the 'RS265' moniker would have given a hint of what's in store in the latest RS. The hot hatch's power grew to 265bhp and 360Nm of torque, up from 250bhp and 340Nm of torque. While the hike may be minute, the latest RS packs a series of tech wizardry that will allow you to fully unleash those monsters beneath.
The settings can be a tad hard to alter - least surprising, being a French - but once you get the hang of it, doing it on the move can be pretty fuss-free.
The sports system allows you to alter the throttle response characteristics. It may shy in comparison - other carmakers offer a more comprehensive package, allowing users to change damper settings and steering response, etc. But the people at Renault have assured us that the RS, with different throttle mapping, will turn into a different beast altogether.
Boy oh boy, they aren't bragging.
In the most aggressive 'Extreme' mode, any jabs at the gas pedal will, almost instantaneously, be responded by a sharp rise in the revs, accompanied by the distinctive force-induction howl. Lifting off the pedal will then result a couple of intoxicating blow-offs. With this drama, there really isn't much more to ask for.
Of course, there are a couple of other settings which give a more inert response for better traction, or more linearity. But to us, driving in those spiritless modes in the RS is as good as opting for a premium cut beef but leaving it aside for the baked potatoes instead.
Despite the fact that the next generation Clio RS will come with a dual-clutch auto box, hardcore driving enthusiasts will be glad that the Megane RS will still come with a conventional six-speed manual.
It is no surprise that Renault has kept its well brewed recipe of taut chassis and supreme handling - the way motorists all over the world have loved it.
And with a slight boost in power, the RS continues to handle like a well sewed glove, with an intimacy that allows the boxer to jab at its opponents with fit and accuracy - in the RS' case, to munch up any twists of tarmac with ease.
Conclusion
In its segment, few others can match up to the RS's engrossment in performance-oriented tech gadgets. At the price point of $184,999, we reckon this is as good as it gets.
No doubt, it is targetting at a very niche group of people - say, those who value driving involvement over convenience (of an auto box or even five-door hatches).
Then, all it takes is a slightly greater level of respect for the car, and the experience will truly be like no others.
It is no surprise that Renault has kept its well brewed recipe of taut chassis and supreme handling - the way motorists all over the world have loved it.
And with a slight boost in power, the RS continues to handle like a well sewed glove, with an intimacy that allows the boxer to jab at its opponents with fit and accuracy - in the RS' case, to munch up any twists of tarmac with ease.
Conclusion
In its segment, few others can match up to the RS's engrossment in performance-oriented tech gadgets. At the price point of $184,999, we reckon this is as good as it gets.
No doubt, it is targetting at a very niche group of people - say, those who value driving involvement over convenience (of an auto box or even five-door hatches).
Then, all it takes is a slightly greater level of respect for the car, and the experience will truly be like no others.
