Renault Megane RS: You Know You Want To

An all-time great for not much coin

Hitherto, this series has focused on cars with price tags well into six figures, but it’s not just about the high-end stuff, so today let’s talk about the Renault Megane RS, specifically that of the third-generation.

There were signs of promise with the second-gen RS 225, but its successor, which launched in Australia in 2010 as an RS 250, really upset the hot hatch apple cart.

Gen III Megane RS became as much as coupe as a hatch

It chewed up the competition and spat it out: Ford Focus RS? More character and performance but more unruly and much more expensive. VW Golf GTI? Completely outclassed dynamically. Focus ST? Astra VXR? The Megane ate them all.

Grunt slowly increased over its lifespan, from the 184kW/340Nm RS 250 to the 195kW/360Nm RS 265 to the 201kW/360Nm RS 275. One thing that’s a must is the Cup chassis, not so much for the stiffer suspension but for the mechanical limited-slip diff which gives it extraordinary traction for a front-wheel drive.

Amusingly titled F4RT 2.0-litre turbo four is torquey and apparently hardy

There were various trim levels and plenty of special editions – 8:08, Red Bull RB8 etc. – but they all drive pretty much the same. It is worth mentioning the super-limited (250 worldwide) RS 275 Trophy-R, that lost 90kg and came with Ohlins adjustable dampers, composite springs, a stripped-out interior and Michelson Cup 2 tyres.

Australia got the second-largest allocation in the world at 50 cars and Renault Australia could not shift them for love nor money. A standard RS 265 Cup was also 95 per cent as good for much less outlay, but when you accessed that final five per cent – wow.

RS275 Trophy-R was a tough sell but one of the best FWDs ever

As with every car, there are flaws. The seating position is a bit high, the Cup chassis ride is definitely firm, the gearbox could be a bit recalcitrant, and a couple of press cars did have mechanical issues over the years, though apparently they are fundamentally pretty hardy.

However, the driving experience is also top notch, with a torquey, responsive engine, that awesome LSD, great brakes and brilliantly adjustable handling. Road or track, hot hatches have gotten faster but I’m not sure they’ve gotten any more enjoyable.

Driving position wasn’t ideal and gearbox could be sticky

The best thing about the Megane III RS? They. Are. Cheap. With $15,000 to spend you’ll have a choice of RS 250 Cups or an RS 265 Cup with higher km. Add $5000 to that and you’ll get into an RS 265 Cup Premium with <100,000km.

My picks? A red 2012 RS 250 Cup with 91,000km for $15,500, a 2013 RS 265 Red Bull RB8 with 27,000km (!) for $24,000 or a 2015 RS 275 Trophy-R with 15,000km for $42,500 – the yellow-over-red paint scheme is a bit much but that’s a lot of car for the price of a new Hyundai i30 N-line (not a proper N).

Various trim levels were available, with Trophy or Trophee the flagship

So if you’re a fan of fast front-drivers or excellent performance cars in general, check out the Megane III RS – go on, you know you want to.