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How much? £21,995
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 1998cc 16v 4cyl turbo, 247bhp @ 5500rpm, 251lb ft @ 3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 1387kg/steel
How heavy / made of? 4299/1848/1435
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 6.1sec 0-62mph, 156mph, 33.6mpg, 195g/km
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CAR's rating

Rated 4 out of 54

Handling

Rated 5 out of 55

Performance

Rated 4 out of 54

Usability

Rated 4 out of 54

Feelgood factor

Rated 4 out of 54

Readers' rating

Rated 3.5 out of 53.5

Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

By Ben Barry

First Drives

21 October 2009 09:37

It’s been a big year for hot hatches, with the Golf GTI, Focus RS and Scirocco R fighting it out to name but three. Renault’s last-gen Megane R26R is still a match for them all despite its age, and now the French hot hatch expert is piling on the pressure with this, the all-new Megane 250.

What are the headline changes?

Well, the basics remain the same as last time around, with a 2.0-litre turbo four channelling over 200bhp through a six-speed manual gearbox and the front wheels alone. However, the gearbox is all-new, and the familiar engine gets new intake ports and sodium-cooled exhaust valves, stronger pistons and con-rods, new intercooler and oil coolers and new piston ring carriers along with a power hike to 247bhp.

Is there a Cup version this time?

There are two models, Cup and Sport.  The Sport costs more because of its higher standard equipment (climate control, electric leather seats, automatic lights and wipers and more), but the lighter Cup with its more aggressive chassis setup is the one for trackday regulars – and its lesser spec means it’s £1000 cheaper at £21,995. And, as ever, you can spec the Cup chassis on the 250 Sport at extra cost.

How does it drive?

It’s a corker. The electrically assisted steering is much nicer than the previous generation Megane's, having a more progressive build in weight away from the straight ahead, seamlessly increasing its resistance in proportion to your efforts. The gearchange, too, is much improved. It still feels fairly long of throw, but the engagement feels tighter.

The standard 250 Sport comes without the CUp's limited slip differential, but its grip and the way it powers through turns could fool you into thinking otherwise – you can get on the power stupidly early, and the more power you feed in, the more keenly it pulls through the bend.

The engine lacks character (its just a flat roar of boost), and it takes a good 2500rpm to properly get into its stride, but it is still tractable from down low and it charges to its 6500rpm with impressive eagerness. That said, this chassis could easily cope with more.

>> click next to read the verdict           


 

Performance Car of the Year Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup - time trial; Performance Car of the Year 2009 Renaultsport Twingo 133 Cup - time trial; Renault Megane RS - at the Nurburgring; Renault Megane - exterior shots; Renault Clio Sport 200 - Geneva motor show; Renault Megane Sport - Geneva motor show 2009; Renault Megane Trophy at the Geneva motor show 2009; Dacia Duster concept car; Renault Megane Coupe - on test; 2008; CAR Magazine; CAR Online; Renault; renault megane; Renault Megane Coupe 2008; Renault R26.R video; CAR Magazine; CAR Online; new renault; new renault megane; r26r; renault megane; Renault Laguna; Renault; renault laguna; Renault Ondelios concept car; CAR Magazine; CAR Online; Concept Car; Renault; renault Ondelios; New Renault Mégane, new renault video, ; car; CAR Magazine; CAR Online; car videos; Renault; renault megane; video; Renault London Motor Show video; british international motor show; cars; london motor show; Renault; Renault Megane R26.R London Motor Show Video; autos; british international motor show; cars; london motor show; Renault; Renault Megane R26.R; CAR pits Renault's Laguna card key against a Hoover washing machine to test boss Carlos Ghosn's durability claim.; CAR Magazine; card key; does it work; www.carmagazine.co.uk; CAR's team presents its guide to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show; Renault
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Average rating: Rated 3.5 out of 53.5 (53 votes)

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Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

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carreader

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carreader says

RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

Like so many new cars this looks so bland and innocuous.

My money would go on an old R26 or R26.R.

 

23 October 2009 04:36

 

-Joe-

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-Joe- says

RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

What's with silly chrome stripe on he last pics. I was about to say it has the best LED.Intergration.System of most new cars. Led's with out looking tacky, Some manufacturers should take note(and be4 some of you think I'm on about Audi I'm not).

22 October 2009 18:10

 

jer

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jer says

RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

I think this is a belting car. I know the old R26 was a great drive but normal folk need to live with a decent interior and a ride that does'nt make you wince and shake the car to bits as you head out of town for your favourite roads. Fairly clean, fast reasonably priced fun with a decent amoutn of practicality. I think it looks good but not perfect. The interior less boring than VW and much better than Fords perceived quality. One of the cars of 2009.

21 October 2009 19:15

 

Vilagos

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Vilagos says

RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

Writing from the States, this is one of those cars which I envy the Europeans for being able to buy. 

 

It's really too bad it did not occur to Penske that the Saturn brand stands for a retailer and not a car maker.  Odd for an organization which is comprised of dealerships representing many different brands.  The speculated Saturn-Renault tie-up apparently died over Renault being unwilling to badge it's cars as Saturns.  Fact is, "new Renault at your Saturn retailer" would have worked as well, or better, than Saturn-badged Renaults.

 

The other alternative would be for our Nissan versions of Renaults to have more sporting flair, but since Toyota and Honda specialize Stateside in the most boring cars imaginable - even when Europeans have a sharper version of same - there's little chance of Nissan rocking that boat, especially given the current becalming of cars sales.  Shortsighted, as folks will always stretch to afford something truly amazing and appealing, but have every excuse to stay home if all that's on offer is "same-old, same-old."

21 October 2009 17:51

 

nigel15

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nigel15 says

RE: Renault Meganesport 250 (2009) CAR review

Good news!

21 October 2009 16:40

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