Renault Megane RS265 launches in Australia | CarAdvice

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Renault Megane RS265 launches in Australia

RENAULT MEGANE
By Anthony Crawford |
FIND DEALS

Renault Australia has launched the highly anticipated Renault Megane RS265 hot-hatch, replacing the equally acclaimed Megane RS250.

Inspired by Renault’s successful tender to the Gendarmerie Nationale (French Police) for a high-speed pursuit vehicle with a requirement for 265 horsepower (195kW), the Megane RS265 develops an additional 9kW and 20Nm of torque (for a maximum output of 360Nm) over its Megane RS250 predecessor.

The additional output from the Megane RS265’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine has also reduced its 0-100km/h-sprint time to a claimed six seconds flat. The car’s top speed is also up marginally from 250km/h to 255km/h.

Fuel consumption has also fallen by a claimed 5.7 per cent over the Megane RS250 to 8.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions down 190g/km.

The only transmission available for the Megane RS265 will be a six-speed manual unit, despite the fact that next-generation Renault Sport Clio will be available with a dual-clutch unit.

The car’s exhaust system features perforations and absorbers, which are said to heighten the exhaust note at idle and low revs (below 3000rpm). In the Sport setting the engine also produces a burble sound on overrun.

The Megane RS265 will be available from August 28 in three specification levels: the entry-level Cup, the mid-spec and sport-focused Trophy and the range-topping Trophy+.

The Megane RS265 Trophy+ is a direct response to the previous success of the special edition Megane Renault Sport 250 Monaco edition.

Pricing for the Renualt Megane RS265 line-up will start at $42,640 for the Cup, $47,140 for the Trophy and $51,640 for the Trophy+, before on-road costs are added.

Renault Australia has also secured an allocation of 100 special edition Megane RS265 Trophy 8:08 models in recognition of the 8:08mins lap time set by the Renault Megane RS265 around Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife in 2011.

In setting the new front-wheel-drive lap record, the Renault Megane RS265 broke the existing 2008 record set by the Renault Megane R26.R.

The Megane Trophy 8:08 is distinguished by its availability in only two colours: Renault Sport’s signature liquid yellow, and pearl white. In addition, there’s leather-trimmed Recaro seats, black steev alloy wheels with red piping wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres, limited edition Trophy decals and bi-xenon directional headlamps.

Regardless of the specification, all Renault Megane RS265’s come with Renault Sport’s proven Cup chassis with a limited slip differential as standard.

The exterior changes to the new Renault Megane RS265 over the Megane RS250 are subtle, but include a reworked front end that now includes two rows of six LEDs along with chrome highlights and black headlight masks.

The five-colour palette for the core Megane RS265 range includes glacier white (solid), capsicum red (solid), star black (metallic), mercury (metallic) and lunar grey (metallic).The centre strake of the front bumper and F1-style blade, door mirror covers and rear diffuser are finished in gloss black across the range.

Inside, there are new interior trims and, depending on the specification level, red or yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel and gear knob, complimenting the dashboard and seatbelts.

Other interior features include black lacquer accents for the centre console and air vent surrounds and carbon-look for the door trim inserts.

Options for the Megane RS265 Cup include satellite navigation with a reversing camera and park assist (standard on Trophy+), electrically operated heated black RS leather seats, RS red design pack and metallic paint.

Options for the Megane RS265 Trophy include leather Recaro seats with rear armrest, bi-xenon directional headlamps, front parking sensors and satellite navigation.

Options for the Megane RS265 Trophy+ include Recaro leather seats, metallic paint and RS red design pack.

Renault Megane RS265 pricing:

• Megane RS265 Cup – $42,640
• Megane RS265 Trophy – $47,140
• Megane RS265 Trophy+ – $51,640
• Megane RS265 Trophy 8:08 – $49,990

Standard specifications for Mégane RS 265 Cup

  • Renault Sport cloth front seats with height adjustment and driver adjustable lumbar support
  • 18-inch Tibor alloy wheels
  • Eight airbags – dual front, side, anti-submarining and front/rear curtain airbags
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Brake Assist (EBA)
  • Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
  • Red Brembo front wheel brake callipers
  • Automatic headlights with headlight washers and “see me home” function
  • LED daytime running lights mounted in front bumper
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Driver and front passenger seat belt warning light and tone
  • Front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
  • Renault Anti-Intruder Device – automatic locking of doors while driving (activated once above 30km/h)
  • Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
  • Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
  • Sports-tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with three modes (normal/sport/off)
  • Cruise control and speed limiter
  • Indicators with highway mode
  • Dual-zone climate control with Air Quality Sensor
  • Height and reach adjustable leather steering wheel with contrast stitching
  • 12-volt socket
  • Automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor
  • 4x30W AM/FM 3D sound by Arkamys (4 speakers/ 4 tweeters) with single CD/MP3 player and fingertip controls
  • Auxiliary and USB input
  • Bluetooth with audio streaming
  • Renault Sport Monitor
  • Single centre chrome exhaust
  • Electric, heated, foldable door mirrors
  • Space-saver spare wheel

Mégane RS 265 Trophy adds the following features;

  • RECARO cloth with leatherette trim front bucket seats
  • 19-inch STEEV alloy wheels
  • Renault Smart Card Key (hands-free entry and engine start)
  • Tyre pressure monitor

Mégane RS 265 Trophy+ adds:

  • Renault Sport charcoal leather trimmed, heated and height adjustable front seats
  • Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support
  • Integrated satellite navigation system with 7-inch screen and reversing camera
  • Bi-Xenon directional headlights
  • Fixed glass roof with shade cover
  • Front and rear parking sensors

 

  • Adam

    Great performance, power, styling and inclusions. The French certainly can make a well-packaged hatch.

  • Yetiman

    Vive le France!

    • Nasal Explorer

      *la* France

  • Legnab

    Looking good , why would any body bother with the OZ dino cars ,with the great performance cars of europe .

    • Force-15

      Any opportunity to bag out Australian-made cars, eh Legnab? Granted, the Megane RS265 is a brilliant hot hatch but you don’t have to hate on Falcodores EVERY time you make a comment.

    • Lancelot

      Umm because a, they’re too small, b we all don’t live 5min from a cafe strip chasing the ultimate chai latte on roads that are silky smooth. For some people a XR6 or SV6 is more practical than a bright yellow hot hatch.. Oh whats that.. a larger car is more comfortable? A larger car is cheaper? Oh…Thats why i bought one..

      • Legnab

        See you down at K mart , try and keep it in a straight line , remember there are corners out in the country side .

        One fatty in an xr6/sv6 , so yesterdays .

        • Pedro

          Dude you’re hilarious. I’ve driven the previous RS250 and while it’s a great car on a tight track, I much prefer the thrill of an Aussie F6 (in auto too). If you think Aussie cars can’t handle curves (I bet an F6 or Clubsport can handle way beyond your driving talents). Youtube the stock FG F6 auto that competes in quite a few Targa events across Australia. I think you will eat your words when you see how well it can handle corners. In day to day city driving where most of civilisation lives and works an F6 is sooooooo much more fun and practical! Go try one you will be hooked too.

  • Noddy of Toyland

    Why do the police require a 195kW vehicle? It seems very exact, and doesn’t really reflect the performance of a car. Almost any car on sale today can go well over the speed limit..

    • Pedro

      Nice marketing story for Renault I guess. I doubt the cops specified a power figure.

  • qikturbo

    It certainly becomes expensive as you go up the levels.Yeah it’s a nice hot hatch but the interior is awful the dash layout looks cheap and awkward.The front of the car look dated and the rear looks quite bulbous.
    The Scirocco R has a big end but I would choose it over this Megane.
    The RS cars seem to be the only successful cars that Renault have produced.
    For example,other Renault cars  like the basic Megane are a long,long way from the class leaders.

    • Modern Man

      so in all comparos in australia why is the basic megane always in the top 5.

      sure no class leader but excellent value for money, and if you ever actually drive a car longer than a 10 minute test drive you will find the controls are well laid out and practical. more buttons does not equal more features.
      ipod has a couple of buttons but does more than an old cd player or tape deck.

      sometimes less is more.

  • Guest

    Two words. Golf R..

    • Whitbomb07

      1 word. Boring

    • Johnson

      I reckon that is one word and one letter rather than two words.

    • Modern Man

      two words. (and a bit more)
      try parking.
      oh, and you can’t get em anymore.

  • diesel

    great track car. The French do things their own way and sometimes it doesnt look pretty, but you carnt argue with the track dynamics and handling capacity. Put in the hands of a race driver and it would keep even a 911 very honest around a race track.

    • Pedro

      Yes I agree. Just wish they had better body designers there at Renault with a bit of style. Just isn’t an attractive car to look at.

  • Bigjim

    I have to give credit where it’s due, the French frogs have built one well appointed hot hatch

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=737660467 Kit Ho

    the steering wheel doesn’t look very sporty at all, which is a shame

    i’m sure it does a great job though

    • cjnesh

      Totally. I’m a sucker for three spoked narrow spoked wheels. Like the new m sport 3 series ones… Just aesthetics though.

  • Chow Wow

    I’d rather get the Falcon turbo 6.

  • Nick

    This makes it interesting whether to get a new platform WRX , RS265 or RS Focus. 
    The price on the RS265 is a bit steep, but it does sound like a drivers car. I guess I will have to test drive this one. Any news on the new platform WRX? 

    • Pedro

      If you are going to store it in your garage and just look at it, get the RS, if you’re going to use it as your major transportation get the WRX.

  • badge

    too expensive. renaut and peugeot are dreaming, thats why they never get any sales downunder

    • cjnesh

      Obviously you don’t know that we are the third biggest market for these cars in the world. We love good hot hatches my friend.

  • 51builders

    Has all the mechanicals a driver wants. Its the standard of workmanship that fails. eg silicone sealer over the seam folds of the door skins.

    • Thomas

      You have to admire the fact that RenaultSport is different to Renault in that their vehicles are hand built from the ground up.

  • Alan

    Tried to buy a Megane 250 was stuffed around something shocking by the dealers who avoided my Clio F1 like the plague, had to finally drop $20K to move it , so I managed to find a Ford Focus RS with bigger 400Nm. balls than the Megane and I,m really happy & this one will hold its price, Renault & Alfa have no real resale value , but good buying S/H..

  • Jono

    does anyone else think the interior is not acceptable for 2012?

    • 123abc

      No at all. Have you sat in one? The interior is great.

  • Guest

    Thanks for sharing the info. Always had this feeling that the marginal Euro brands – Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, etc have resale value problems. Newcomer Opel going to add to the list.