New Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy launched in South Africa – The details

Renault has announced the new Megane R.S. 300 Trophy – an upgraded version of the standard R.S. “that combines intense everyday driveability with even sharper on-track performance,” said the automaker.

In South Africa, the hot hatch is retailing for R899,900, and this includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.

Performance

Driving the Megane is a 1.8-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine packaged together with a six-speed dual-clutch EDC gearbox, boasting an output of 221kW and 420Nm.

As a result, the hatchback is capable of reaching a top speed of 260km/h, while its 0-100km/h acceleration clocks in at 5.7 seconds.

Connecting the Renault to the tarmac is then the 4Control four-wheel-steering system which allows for a smaller turning radius while also providing better stability and sharper steering response.

At low speeds, this system turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels, and at speeds of over 60km/h in Normal mode, or 100km/h in Race mode, all four wheels turn in the same direction to ensure optimized road holding, said the automaker.

Cornering has also been improved thanks to stiffened suspension, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and grip-maximizing Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres, and braking is now handled by bi-material discs and Brembo brake calipers for better endurance.

Features

In keeping with the high-performance theme of the Megane R.S., the Trophy has been given a visual overhaul that includes a new front bumper with an F1-style blade, a rear diffuser, C-shaped LED headlamps, and model-unique “Jerez” 19-inch triple-tone alloy wheels with red inserts.

Additionally, the manufacturer has installed an intelligent exhaust pipe with a dual-sound valve system to maximize engine performance and deliver great noise while out on the track.

The aesthetics extend to the interior, too, as the seats are finished in Alcantara with red top-stitching, metal paddle shifters sit behind steering wheel, and the gearstick is made from aluminium.

In the centre of the dashboard is a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and other convenience features take the form of an automatic parking brake, reverse camera, lane departure warning, launch control, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Trophy also boasts a Multi-Sense driving mode system which allows the user to switch between Normal, Sport, and Race modes with the flick of a button.