By Dan Trent | |
| 04 March 2009 12:18:13 | |
Fast new RenaultSport Megane at Geneva
Renault has unveiled what could be the hottest hatch of them all here in Geneva – the Megane RenaultSport 250.
250, of course, refers to the power output of the 2.0-litre turbo engine, and is a chunky 39bhp more than the class-icon Golf GTI!
GALLERY: Renault at Geneva in pictures
Six seconds to 60
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Click images to enlarge |
‘Explosive’ is probably the best way to describe its potential. Not least because 80% of its pull is available from below 2000rpm. As the old Renaultsport R26.R rocketed to 60mph in just 6 seconds, we’d expect genuine sports car potential from Renault’s latest hyper hatch. What’s more, two ‘flavours’ of setup are available – sport or Cup.
The latter is the hardcore one, and comes with a standard limited slip differential. This should really help the rapid Renault deploy all its power, while also giving it a hardcore edge to fire up enthusiasts. That’s if the bold lines somehow fail to – we love the standard Megane Coupe, and think this hot version looks absolutely exceptional.
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There’s a centre-exit rear exhaust, beefed-up sills and wheelarches (housing 18-inch wheels), an F1-style nose plus distinctive LED daytime running lights. There will be no missing it on the road, that’s for sure! Inside, Renault has fitted sporty seats, an analogue rev counter, and even an audible rev-limit bleeper. After speaking to the chief engineer, we can’t wait to drive it…
That’s not the only fresh hot Renault, though. There’s also the new Renaultsport Clio 200, a gain of 3hp neatly rounding up the power output of the previous 197. This is, of course, just part of the extensive ‘phase 2’ facelift for the entire Clio range, which introduces a new, Laguna/Megane-inspired nose, an upgraded interior and a neat integrated TomTom navigation unit.
Neat new estate
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The sporty GT 128 dCi is of particular interest, this nippy little diesel offering a slice of the Renaultsport magic in a more down to earth, everyday package, complete with a punchy 128hp diesel engine. But the big news is the arrival of an all-new Scenic and Grand Scenic, Renault’s ever-popular MPV range updated for a new generation.
This is the company showing its sensible side. The all new model faces a tougher challenge from new MPVs like the Citroen C3 Picasso, cut price van derived models like the Fiat Qubo and Peugeot Partner Teepee and SUV crossovers such as the Kia Soul. First impressions look good though, the Scenic set to continue Renault’s dominance of this sector.
It comes in both standard and Grand versions, seating up to 7. It’s nowhere near as bold or as outstanding as the Renaultsport models, but should still press the right buttons with practicality-focused car buyers. And, if it doesn’t, Renault also showed a neat version of the Megane estate. It’s as neat as the popular Laguna Sport Tourer, and similarly practical.
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Geneva Motor Show 2009 - your vote
- Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?
- Aston Martin One-77
33% - Audi TT RS
6% - Bentley Supersports
5% - BMW 5 Series GT
4% - Ferrari 599XX
10% - Fiat 500 Cabriolet
2% - Lamborghini LP670-4SV
18% - Lexus RX450h
2% - Mazda 3 MPS
1% - New Mercedes-Benz E-Class
4% - Porsche 911 GT3
5% - Rolls-Royce 200EX
4% - Saab 93X
1% - Skoda Yeti
2% - Volkswagen Polo
3%
- Aston Martin One-77
