Review: Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup

By Worcestershire Life on July 12th 2011

Renault probably thought long and hard about what to call its family orientated hatchback before choosing the name Megane. Apparently, Megane has its origins in the Celtic language, is feminine and means soft and gentle. While that may be perfectly appropriate for most of the Megane range, whether it can be applied to the Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup is another matter.

It’s certainly curvaceous, but even with the less than subtle sporting makeover that adds a deeper front bumper, wider wheel arches, sill extensions and Formula 1 style rear diffuser it would seem more appropriate to use the word feline to describe this car’s appearance, rather than feminine. A quick look inside indicates the RS250 is not just a common or garden hatchback too. The usual goodies such as sat-nav, multimedia systems and cruise control that you might expect to find on a five-seater car costing skywards of £23,000 are notable by their absence. Instead, high-backed, hip-hugging Recaro sports seats, yellow seatbelts, and a slightly after-market looking yellow rev-counter all tell you that this Megane isn’t quite as family friendly as the rest of the range.

Don’t get me wrong the RS250 will seat five and the boot is perfectly capable of accommodating the weekly shop, but its sloping, coupe-like roof line, three-door only configuration and tiny rear windows mean that not every rear seat passenger will enjoy the ride.

And it’s the ride that really gives RS250’s game away, especially if it’s been fitted with the optional Cup suspension pack which stiffens the springs by a further 35 per cent and adds firmer dampers and anti-roll bars. Calling it firm would be complimentary: Unforgiving would be closer to the truth. On broken B-roads every imperfection is transmitted back in to the car and even a motorway cruise can become tiring, but cruising is not really what this car has been built for.

It’s better to think of this Megane as a sports car that just happens to have a back seat. Although the engine note might not be particularly aurally inspiring its 247 bhp and 251lb ft of torque make the RS250 feel every bit as fast as its figures suggest. Plus, because it’s been fitted with Renaultsport’s clever PerfoHub front suspension and a mechanical limited slip differential, rather than an electronic one you can carry more speed through the corners without encountering understeer. Those stiffer springs mean there’s virtually no body roll and despite the electronic power steering feeling slightly artificial it still allows you to place the RS250 into a bend with milli-metric precision.  The levels of grip are quite frankly astonishing.

And that’s why it’s so difficult to sum up the Megane Renaultsport 250 cup. Some days you’ll hate its uncompromising ride and yet on others you’ll revel in its crisp handling. Some of your friends will love its styling while others will wonder why you spent your money on something that looks like this. It’s a practical hatchback and selfish track-day racer at the same time. Renault should have called it the Celtic for hard and fast, then they’d have been closer to the mark.

The spec

Engine: 1998cc. 4 cyl 16V
Transmission: 6 manual
Power: 247bhp@ 5500rpm
Torque: 251 lbft@ 3000rpm
0-62mph: 6.1 sec
Max Speed: 156mph
Mpg: 34 (combined)
CO2: 195g/km
Price: £25,500 (car shown)

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