2011 Renault Megane R.S. 250 Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition: 50 coming to Australia

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By Tim Beissmann | August 29th, 2011

The 2011 Renault Megane R.S. 250 Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition has been released in Australia, with just 50 of the exclusive models to be delivered Down Under.

The Megane R.S. 250 Monaco GP follows the launch of 30 special edition Renault Clio R.S. 200 Australian Grand Prix vehicles in March, and will be sold in just a handful of markets around the world.

Priced from $48,990 before on-road costs ($7000 above the price of the standard Megane R.S. 250), Renault says the focus of the Monaco GP edition is on ‘elegance, sport and style’.

On the outside, the Monaco GP model is identified by its pearlescent white paint and contrasting piano black elements on the side mirrors, rear diffuser and fog lamp surrounds. A set of four-pot Brembo brakes with red calipers glow behind thin-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels. Directional bi-xenon headlights further enhance the exterior package.

Inside, the special edition model scores integrated satellite navigation, electric and heated leather sports seats, white details on the centre console, dash and door handles, and Monaco GP stitching on the seats and floor mats. Completing the light, bright theme is a fixed full-glass roof with shade cover.

Like all Megane R.S 250 models, the Monaco GP Limited Edition will be powered by a 184kW/340Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, capable of launching the hot hatch from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Renault Australia managing director, Justin Hocevar, said he expected the 50 limited edition models to sell quickly.

“This incredibly luxurious version of the Megane R.S. 250 will appeal to lovers of hot hatches who don’t want to compromise on their everyday creature comforts,” Mr Hocevar said.

“The snug and cosy Monaco GP sport seats will win over even the most sceptical spouse.”

Coinciding with the launch of the R.S. 250 Monaco GP, Renault Australia has announced all Renault Sport vehicles purchased from August 27, 2011 will be covered by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, up from the previous three-year/100,000km coverage. The standard Renault passenger vehicle range is covered for five years, unlimited.

Read CarAdvice’s review of the Megane R.S. 250.

Nugsdad

WRX with class

Harry

how do you figure that? does FWD mean anything to you? Do you think that because the Citroen Loeb drives in the WRC seems to win a fair bit means that FWD French cars are somehow comparable to a WRX?

Nasal Explorer

Oops! Nugsdad upset a fanboi.
Rex

You do realize that the Megane is significantly faster around a track than the comparably priced WRX don’t you?

AWD adds a lot a weight and the WRX’s chassis and brakes are simply not in the same league.

CRS200

It takes skill to drive a FWD on it’s limits and balls.

But hey if people think that Renault Sport got it wrong having a FWD “beast” like this, I guess they should be working for Renault Sport’s Engineering department.

The same Engineers that change they already Sport suspension on their Hot-hatches from the mechanic across the road when manufacturers spend millions getting it to the right balance.

Go figure…

Planned_Obsolescence

No you’re right Harry this particular FWD French car is not comparable to a WRX…it’s much better

Cheers

wrx sti-driver

Not to mention, the RS250 is the fastest FWD production car around the O-so-mighty Ring.

Roger

Indeed it’s not really comparable to the WRX.

It’s a much better car, so it doesn’t really compare.

2WD/4WD, doesn’t matter. It still handles better than the new WRX.

Charger

You have go to be dreaming??? I dont see any of these winning Rallys on gravel or tramac in group n form or PWRC form. If you think a FWD car is better than AWD you clearly havent driven one!

AndyGF

4WD always feels heavy and cumbersome to me, despite the grip advantage… Try a FWD will a true limited slip diff (like this one), you will be amazed at what it can achieve.
You can not only use your front wheels to steer you through the corner, the front wheels feel like they are actually pulling you and dragging the nose at the same time!

Hence cars with real FWD LSDs are quicker than their similarly powerful 4WD cars, around a track anyway…

Freddo

Ever heard of weight transfer.
Enjoy the under/torque steer boy racer!

AndyGF

I drive RWD cars only by choice, but I have taken two cars with real LSDs around the track, one an old R26 Megane Sport F1. The drivers inside the more powerful 4WD/RWD cars were not thinking ‘boy racer’ when they got passed by a torque steering hatchback.
Charger

ill take a Evo 5.5 TME anyday and blow your Renault puss box away! What track? a FWD has no chance against a AWD at all

Jimsim

Sorry mate, you must be on a bit of crack.
I’d take any STI or EVO over a FWD POS.

AndyGF

At 1.4 times the price for a second or two per lap; You are a lot ‘richer’ than I, moneybags…

3D4

Why everyone compares this one to a WRX? It is a Golf GTI, Focus ST(XR5) class. No?

Bangel

Correct 3D4 apples to apples , its a blaster , i have to admit its quicker through corners than the gti or the rs and the golf R .

All 3 cars mentioned blow the wrx out the door on looks , so tired jappo these days .

RWD boys take of the rose tinted glasses and try one of these new breed , you would be very surprised how they handle the twisty bits , the old dinos have no chance against this beast .

Old dog

This is how they should have been. The standard rs250 just felt like a poverty pack hatch with balls. Just like a wrx in that regard, and in contrast to the gti. This pack on the otherhand looks like it might be pretty good. Will have to go check it out. I wonder what the drive away price will be. Probably 55ish.

KD

A Standard GTI is a poverty pack too. It has almost no luxury features to speak of

Yeti Man

If I had the money, I would buy the WRX for the family and the Megane for my own car. Both are nice cars IMO

DWS1

….don’t you like your family?

Bogan Hater

I like a lot about this car but the inside really sucks, especially that dash.
Vibe

“The snug and cosy Monaco GP sport seats will win over even the most sceptical spouse.”

Marketing department has been listening to the customers me thinks…
UMWHAT

why exactly didnt they make it AWD OR RWD? is it that much more expensive or is it just the wight issue, if its weight then what about RWD? I guess FWD is both cheaper and lighter
venu

OMG that rear 3 quarter pic is so sexy & tempting. Going to the dealer this weekend to TD. Can’t afford though
Only got <$30K to spend.

scottjames_12

Don’t despair, venu! There is PLENTY of fun to be had for < 30K. I've got myself an XR5, but pick up whichever of the breed takes your fancy (Ford, Renault, VW etc.), any of them will give you great fun for your money! Hell, you could even get a 130i for that money if you shop around..
UMWHAT

for that money get an Evo 9…

Charger

Which will leave any FWD for dead!

CRS200

You sure about that?

The last European Rally I watched on Tarmac (very twisty stuff) the cars that came in first place were all FWD’s.

AWD is better not dissagreeing but on some cars it just makes sense that they are FWD. In reality AWD is better for extreme conditions, thats about it.

Go figure…

Ps: You might want to see information on Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy beating it’s own record by 9 seconds at the Nurburgring circuit. Laptime 8min 7.97seconds…

Go figure again…

Roger

Scenario.

2 cars of equal power/torque, same model car. One car is FWD with LSD, the other is 4WD.

4wd will be faster in the wet and on dirt/snow, the FWD will be quicker on a dry road. FACT.

I don’t drive like a loon in the wet and never drive cars on dirt or snow, why do I need a 4wd again? They’re heavier.

scottjames_12

Unless you take standing launches into account, where the 4wd will likely be faster (until the clutch gives in, anyway!)

But you would have to be correct, same car with same engine, on a dry road the extra weight of the 4wd would be a disadvantage, methinks..

B

I do enjoy reading the “EVO roxxors, n00bs!!11!” and maybe 15 years ago I might have agreed. But the world has moved on and spending 3x the loot to add a fully sick turbo and AWD to your new but laughably junky interior isn’t enough these days.