► New warm hatch Megane RS
► 217bhp = Golf GTI thump
► Little brother to full Renaultsports
Renault has forged an enviable reputation for hot hatchbacks in recent years, its Renaultsport go-faster division creating such sporting gems as the Megane 265 RS and some cracking Clio RS models over the past decade.
Today Renault announced the new Megane GT 220, available as a three- or five-door hatchback or Sport Tourer estate. No prizes for interpreting that name fully: it’s a 220 horsepower warm hatch.
So it’s a halfway-house Renaultsport model?
Exactly. That 220ps figure, or 217bhp in imperial ponies, means it’s still some 50 or so horsepower off the full-blown Megane 265 and 275 RS models, but it’s still bang on the pace for a Golf GTI troubler.
The good news is that Renaultsport French polish has been applied to the 2.0-litre turbo engine, sending 251lb ft of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
There’s also some RS magic on the chassis – one of the Megane’s strong-points in the full-blown hot hatches – with stiffer springs, recalibrated dampers and 40mm larger front brake discs. Sounds to us like a very promising package to make corner-carving a joy, not a chore. Read our long-term test of the Megane 265 RS to find out why.
How fast is the Renault Megane GT 220?
Traction is provided by 225/40 R18 Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tyres only; there is no limited-slip differential available on this warm hatch to tame wheelspin, unlike on its bigger brothers.
Renault quotes a 7.6sec 0-62mph time, with a top whack of 149mph. Which until Honda this week announced a 167mph top speed for its new 2015 Civic Type R, would have sounded quite fast enough.
The GT 220 comes with stop-start and Renault claims a 38.7mpg combined economy average, with CO2 emissions pegged at 169g/km.
Looks, prices, spec
This is badged a GT, so the wardrobe is decidedly junior hot hatch – following the existing GT Line models and their front spoilers, rear diffusers and a smattering of RS trim in the cabin (never a Megane strong suit) such as aluminium pedal caps.
Prices stand at £23,245 for the five-door hatchback, £24,230 for the three-door ‘coupe’ and £24,245 for the GT 220 Sport Tourer wagon.
Sounds like a good pick-me-up for the Renault Megane in its final year; we’re expecting a new model to bow in at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show. We just hope the next Renaultsport model doesn’t follow the path of the Clio RS, which has gone off the boil in its current guise…