The new Mégane Sport 250 Cup is powered by an extensively revised 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which boasts a power output of 250hp with 340Nm of torque available from as low down as 3,000rpm to deliver a level of performance that can be enjoyed both on road and on track which we got to experience 1st hand today at the Sepang race circuit. With only a half track available to us, we initial felt a little disappointed at the thought of having less than a trilling time with this new track beast. However after the 1st of 3 laps for each journalist we realized that that the next two laps will have us slamming the throttle at every exit out of a corner, braking very late at every approaching corner and riding the curbs at most corners as we tried to have more fun over real wheel to wheel testing.
After all, the car was a company tester and its replacement tires, brake pads and suspension would be left in the hands of TC Euro Cars technicians after this Saturday’s final outing with another set of drivers. At RM229,800.00, this new Mégane sits very close to its German competitors and offers better track lap times and hardnosed driving pleasure as proven at various European race tracks since its global launch.
Visually this new Mégane is very striking with its front bumper incorporating a shiny black on body colour paint scheme. The wheel arches are extended and there is a rear diffuser and extended tailgate spoiler. LED daytime running lights are included discreetly.
Inside this new Mégane are height-adjustable Recaro seats, a height and reach-adjustable Renaultsport steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, aluminum pedal covers and a new fascia design incorporating analogue instruments and the petrolheads favorite toy, a Renaultsport Monitor (borrowed partially we believe from the Nissan Skyline).
This technology takes its inspiration from the world of motor sport, with a central dashboard display that provides information about the demands made of the main engine functions like real-time engine performance, gear change warning, calibration and display of the throttle pedal mapping, lateral acceleration, 0-60mph acceleration and the biggest thrill we believe for all drivers, lap times.
The Renault Sport 2.0 T engine’s twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is particularly flexible at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1,900 rpm.
Its broad useful rev band makes it a genuine joy to drive in everyday use, and the pleasure remains all the way up to the rev-limiter whenever it is pushed a little harder. The engine of the new Megane Renault Sport 250 drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. The slick and light 6-speed manual has an increased shift precision for an even sportier feel. This new gearbox enables the engine’s performance to be exploited, with a 0-100 km/h time of just 6.1 seconds.
Compared with the previous Mégane, the engine’s increase in power and torque has notably been achieved thanks to evolution changes to the turbo for an enhanced response at low revs, continuously variable intake valve timing, and revised fuel-injection mapping. 8 units have already been sold and delivered to customers.
