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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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We get launched in the 2011 Renault Mègane RS 250 Cup

For real men and maybe Sabine

Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday May 4, 2011

You can choose between two versions of Renault's hottest hatch, the Mègane Renault Sport 250. Both use exactly the same 184 kW (250 HP), 340 Nm turbocharged two-litre engine. Those numbers mean it puts out 36 kW and 30 Nm more arousal than the already insane R26 that went before. They obviously look the same except for red-painted Brembo brake calipers on grooved discs, and one size larger wheels that distinguish the Cup version from the outside. There are major differences however. The Sport version is for sissies who expect concert hall music reproduction and are scared of getting lost in the parking lot, while the Cup configuration is for real men and possibly Sabine Schmitz, who hotfoots cars around the northern loop of the Nürburgring.

Without getting into a point-by-point explanation of which version has what, here's the simplified rendition. Sport has business-like seats with good bolstering and adjustable lumbar support, a fancier sound system, slightly softer suspension settings, an electronically controlled differential, a choice of three styles of 18" wheels and TomTom navigation kit. Cup, on the other hand, gets Recaro racing bucket seats with slots for full competition harnesses, a more performance-oriented chassis with greater roll stiffness, lower profile tyres on 19" rims, a mechanical limited-slip differential and a Renault Sport Monitor instead of satnav. This device deserves a short essay on its own, but let's deal with the engine and chassis first.

Don't get the idea that the engine is same-old with the blower turned up a bit. More than 25 percent of its components are new, including intake ports, reinforced pistons and connecting rods, new air-to-air and water-to-oil intercoolers, revised piston ring carriers and sodium-cooled valves. This last item sounds impressively new, but Alfa Romeo used them in the 'sixties. There is a new twin-scroll turbocharger and the injection system has been remapped. What this means to you is that 80 percent of peak torque is available from only   1 900 rpm, so it pulls like a rocket from low revs and is more tractable overall. Finally, just as Grampy found with his hot little Renault Alconi, a low backpressure exhaust system with straight-through rear silencer makes magical music. The gearbox is an uprated version of the six-speeder used in the Mègane Coupé TCe, with taller gearing to take advantage of all that low down torque.

Skipping lengthy technicalities, the front suspension setup is now lighter, firmer and less sensitive to forces and torque applied to the front wheels under acceleration and braking. Put simply, there is even less twitchiness and torque steer than on the already good Mègane ll RS.  At the back, a new closed-profile version of the programmed-deflection torsion beam suspension ensures the same level of stiffness with less weight.

A three-mode ESP system allows the driver to choose differing doses of electronic assistance. 'On' is default, activated when the car is started. ESP, ASR traction control and emergency brake assist (EBA) are active. The system intervenes as soon as it senses the car is on the verge of sliding. Pedal mapping provides smooth acceleration, ideal for everyday use. 'Sport' mode reduces ESP intrusion. Although ESP and ASR are still active, they intervene later and allow the car to slide, up to certain limits. Pedal mapping dials in swifter engine response and the Power Start function is enabled. This maximises acceleration by eliminating wheelspin. Other manufacturers call it 'launch control.' The 'off' position switches out everything except ABS, while pedal mapping is set for maximum response. This position is recommended for track use only, by those who actually know what they are doing.

Speaking of track use, this is where we mention what the Cup owner gets instead of satnav. It's called Renault Sport Monitor (RSM) and provides the driver with real-time performance and vehicle data by collecting information from various sensors. Scrolling through, using the steering wheel remote controls, one can access information such as turbo pressure, oil temperature, real-time engine performance data (power, torque) and transverse and longitudinal acceleration. A stopwatch and lap timer with memory function shows performance figures with automatic recording of best 0-100 km/h, standing start 400-metre and 1000-metre times. A note: when using RSM, the correct gear for optimum performance is shown on-screen. This recommendation has absolutely nothing to do with pussyfooting fuel economy.

Additionally, the RS Monitor enables the driver to modify the mapping of the accelerator pedal. Five settings are available when 'Sport' mode is selected, namely 'linear', 'normal', 'snow', 'sport' and 'extreme'. This makes it possible to tailor engine response and acceleration to conditions and driving style. You can also adjust the rpm at which the limiter kicks in, by 100 rpm increments up to about 6 400.

Getting in for the first time, you see this is no ordinary Megane; the instruments are all analogue as they should be in a real sports hatch and the tachometer immediately draws attention with its bright yellow dial. It is the instrument you will spend most time watching, after all. The yellow theme is continued in the stitching of the leather covered steering wheel, with the top point boldly marked so you don't lose track when things get hectic. Naturally, the wheel adjusts for both height and reach, so you can get decently comfortable. This is your 'office' after all.

As far as seats go, those in front are the result of a joint venture between Renault Sport and Recaro. There is no question; if you are serious about driving, you use the proper seats from this specialist German manufacturer. They support both hips and back, to keep occupants firmly located and comfortable at all times. Slots are provided to channel the webbing of your harness should you decide to fit one before taking this car out for serious track work.

Because the RS 250 and the Cup version especially, are set up for competitive driving, there has to be a certain stiffness in its ride. While quite acceptable on smooth city streets, you cannot expect armchair comfort once potholes, speed humps and rumble strips enter the mix. There is no alternative - treat such hazards with the respect they need and get back to where your car belongs, as quickly as possible.

Off track and on winding country roads, the Cup inspires confidence. It sits, it snarls, it turns, it steers and it holds on forever. This is what owning a thinly disguised competition car for quick road use is all about and if you're unsure of your skillset, advanced driver training programmes are offered by the manufacturer.

As for family-friendliness, the boot is big enough to swallow a couple's monthly groceries, there is room for smallish friends in the back seat and again, the ride is really firm. But friendliness isn't what a Mègane RS 250 is about. To move a multitude in comfort, you buy a Grand Scènic. To move boundaries, you buy an RS 250.

The numbers
Price: R399 900
Engine: 1 998 cc, 16-valves, four cylinders, turbocharged
Power: 184 kW at 5 500 rpm
Torque: 340 Nm at 3 800 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 6,1 seconds
Maximum speed: Governed to 250 km/h
Real life fuel consumption over 300 km: about 10,3 l/100 km
Tank: 60 litres
Warranty: 5 years/150 000 km
Service plan: 5 years/100 000 km at 10 000 km intervals

Our review of the 2015 RS Megane Trophy is here

Now read about the 2020 RS Megane 300 Trophy

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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