This is the final year of the Renault Megane R.S., the hot hatch model line produced by RenaultSport, the carmaker’s high performance division established in 2004. Changing times and changing customer preferences mean that hot hatches are not ‘hot’ any longer (although enthusiasts will disagree).
But before production stops at the end of this year, Renault has one last version which will take over from the Megane R.S. and Megane R.S. Trophy from this month. It’s known as the Megane R.S. Ultime and will be the last Megane R.S. series and also the last model to feature the Renault Sport logo. The French carmaker will still offer high performance products but with the Alpine brand.
Only 1,976 numbered cars will be built, the number referencing 1976, the year that RenaultSport was established. Each car will have the signature of Laurent Hurgon, the driver and development expert who set Megane R.S.’s records on tracks.
The Megane has been one of Renault’s more successful models, with 7 million units sold globally since 1995. Over 4 generations, it has come to be a full range and, like the Volkswagen Golf with its GTI, has had a powerful variant in the R.S. line.
For 2020, the range includes a first for Renault in the compact segment – a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It uses technologies developed by the Alliance and the Renault Engineering Department and benefits from the electric-vehicle expertise acquired by Groupe Renault over the last 10 years, as well as its experience in Formula 1 racing.
The New Megane’s exterior design has gained sculpted and more dynamic lines in keeping with the Renault brand identity to offer even more character and sophistication. Its headlights now feature LED Pure Vision technology said to improve and increase the headlamp beam by nearly 30%, offering greater visibility, safety and driving comfort.
The headlamps, tail lights and fog lights are now all LED. The contour lines of the new rear lights have been raised to display a new trim design and the indicators have become dynamic. The New Megane also features a new, more sophisticated lower panel while the design of the wings is more pronounced, and they also feature door-handle lighting.
The revamped and modernised driver’s ‘techno cockpit’ has a new 9.3-inch screen for the multimedia system and a 10.2-inch screen for the dashboard. The 9.3-inch screen provides a display area twice the size of the 7-inch version. This vertical tablet fits perfectly into the dashboard and gives the passenger compartment a very modern look. The Renault EASY LINK multimedia system, inspired by smartphone codes and uses, aims to be more ergonomic, functional and user-friendly.
Renault’s Multi-Sense technology can change the characteristics to one of several different. The driver can choose settings that adjust the engine mapping, steering, ambient lighting and configuration of the digital display that replaces the dials to offer a personalised driving experience
Powertrains
Renault will continue to offer petrol and diesel engines since there will still be demand in many markets outside Europe where internal combustion engines may be preferred. The petrol engine displacement will be the Alliance 1.3 TCe which can be offered in outputs ranging from 115 bhp to 160 bhp. At the end of the year, the New Megane will also be available with the Alliance 1.0 TCe engine with a manual transmission.
The latest Megane Diesel will use a 1.5-litre Blue dCi engine adapted to new anti-pollution standards. Customers have the option of choosing the 95 bhp eco version with a 6-speed manual transmission or the 115 bhp version with a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission.
2020 Renault Megane E-TECH Plug-in, estate version.
The highlight is of course the new E-TECH Plug-in hybrid powertrain which combines with a 4-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and uses an innovative multi-mode clutch-less gearbox transmission which optimises gearshifting.
The design draws on the experience of the Renault F1 Team, which shared its energy-management expertise (energy recovered during deceleration and braking is used to recharge the battery outside charging cycles) to enable the New Megane to operate with maximum energy efficiency. It is paired with a braking system developed by Renault’s electric vehicle experts.
The battery pack has an energy capacity of 9.8 kWh (400V) battery which can enable the New Megane to run on full-electric mode for up to 50 kms and up to a top speed of 85 mph (135 km/h), it is claimed.
New driver assistance systems
The New Megane’s driver-assistance systems include the Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, a Level 2 autonomous system that provides comfort and peace of mind while driving. Level 2 autonomous capability has adaptive cruise control (which can vary the speed to maintain a safe gap as well as operate from standstill) and lane-centering or lane-keeping control. It’s available in many cars today and can make driving easier but the driver still needs to pay attention to what is happening.
The New Megane R.S.
The high-performance New Megane R.S. adopts a range centred on the Sport chassis and the same single 300 bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine as the TROPHY version. Torque has been increased by 30 Nm to 420 Nm on EDC transmission models and 400 Nm on manual transmission models. The exhaust system now includes a mechanical valve to adjust the ‘soundtrack’.
The hallmark features of the Megane R.S are still present, including the 4CONTROL frame for maximum agility in sharp turns and stability in fast curves, and a new R.S. Monitor (optional) which displays many car settings in real time, such as acceleration, braking, steering-wheel angle, 4CONTROL system operation, temperatures and pressures, etc.
The New Megane R.S. TROPHY, a benchmark for ultra-high-performance hatchbacks, is designed for racing. It stands out for its now-exclusive Cup frame; compared with the New Megane R.S.’s Sport chassis, the chassis Cup features a mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential which improves cornering control and driveability when exiting corners. Its shock absorbers and suspension springs have been retuned for increases of 25% and 30% respectively, and the anti-roll bar has a 10% higher setting than on Megane R.S.
Even in standard form in the showroom, the Renault Captur stands out from the typical compact crossover SUVs with its chic styling. Now, for those who want still more distinctiveness, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has prepared a limited number of units as special editions of the Captur.
While having most of the specifications and Easy Life feature of the standard version, the Special Edition Captur Trophy, as it is known, gets some exclusive additions. The Vibrant Orange Trophy exterior colour, inspired by colour cues from the new signature Orange Tonic colour of the latest Megane R.S. (below left) is one of them.
There’s also a sporty front and rear bumper spoiler in gunmetal colour, 3D chequered flag decals and, for added convenience, a powered tailgate which automatically opens when a foot is placed under the rear bumper.
No extra cost to be a bit more exclusive
The Captur Trophy is available at no extra cost from the standard version so it goes for RM107,980 (on-the-road inclusive of SST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private individual registration only). This means that it’s a really great deal which you don’t want to miss and you have to act quickly as there are only limited units.
Additionally, 5 lucky customers who purchase a brand-new Captur Trophy will get the chance to take the all-new Renault Megane R.S. home for one month. This offer aims to encourage an appreciation amongst customers for Renault’s range of products and offerings.
Also available on Renault Subscription
The Captur Trophy is also available on Renault Subscription. Under the Fixed Plan, customers pay from RM1,499 monthly for the 2-year subscription package and RM1,699 monthly for the 1-year plan. These monthly fees are inclusive of roadtax, insurance premiums and regular maintenance fees.
There is also the Switch Prime Plan where customers can enjoy the Captur Trophy as their everyday vehicle – in addition to a total of 4 months of access to the Renault family of models such as the Megane R.S. and Koleos SUV.
“Whilst many appreciate the striking design and current two-tone colour scheme on the Captur, we boost the Captur’s allure further with a whole new sporty look. Taking inspiration from the Megane R.S., the Limited Edition Captur Trophy delivers a new level of sports appeal. Coupled with the experience of the Renault Megane R.S. for one month, we have drastically turned-up the sports appeal for the Captur Trophy,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars.
1.8-litre performance
The Limited Edition Captur Trophy has the same upgraded EURO 6-compliant turbocharged TCe 120 petrol engine with a start-stop function that delivers the performance and acceleration comparable to a normally-aspirated 1.8-litre engine. Mated to the 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission, the engine offers peak torque of 205 Nm from as low as 2000 rpm and can travel up to 16.9 kms/litre, it is claimed. An ECO Mode contributes to up to 10% additional fuel savings.
Easy Life ownership experience
Renault firmly believes that the concept of ‘Easy Life’ should be experienced across all its products and throughout the customer’s ownership experience. To this end, all Capturs, including the Captur Trophy, also come with the Renault Honour trade-in programme. Through this programme for vehicles distributed by TCEC, customers will enjoy a guaranteed future value should they choose to trade-in their Captur for any new Renault model in the future. This is assurance that Renault is addressing depreciation concerns, especially in the first few years where the depreciation is the greatest.
The Renault Honour programme is available for a limited time only and customers are encouraged to confirm their participation as soon as they can.
There are 21 authorised service centres nationwide to look after Renault vehicles.
For more information on the Limited Edition Captur Trophy and other Renault models and services in Malaysia or to locate a showroom, visit www.renault.com.my.
Renault will unveil the latest iteration of its ever popular Megane R.S. in Monaco on Friday 26th May. The unveil has been timed to coincide with the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. And fittingly, the Renault will be sporting a yellow and black livery that complements that used by the namesake’s F1 car. This has been done to commemorate the French automaker’s 40-year involvement in Formula 1.
Nico Hulkenberg, Renault’s Formula 1 team driver will drive the car onto the stage for the big reveal. According to Renault, the Megane R.S. has benefited quite a bit from technology developed for F1 including aerodynamics and suspensions. As such, we can expect good things from the new generation Megane R.S..
If you would like to know more about the the three generation of Megane R.S. cars and a video of them, visit the automaker’s site at press.renault.co.uk.
