- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
162kW, 340Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Renault Megane GT 220 wagon first drive review
As I shift from second to third gear, the engine howls from under the bonnet and the tyres screech as they try and keep up with the grunt being fed to the front rubber. Yep, this is no ordinary station wagon.
That’s because the limited edition Megane GT 220 Sport Wagon is essentially a hot-hatch in an even more practical body.
It’s powered by a toned-down version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant seen in the manic Megane RS265 three-door, producing 162kW and 340Nm.
It can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds - an entirely believable and likely achievable figure, based on our drive of the car at the launch earlier this week. And because it’s the first Renault Megane engine to boast stop-start technology, its claimed fuel use is a respectable 7.3L/100km - half a litre less than the regular 2.0-litre.
The GT 220’s mill offers good response from low in the rev range, with a decent surge as the peak torque kicks in from 2400rpm, and a slick gearshift action. It gets quite vocal from about 4500rpm, but is not as endearing as the RS265.
But while it boasts the butch attitude of the Megane RS265, the car struggles to get the power down to the ground as well as it should.
There’s a noticeable amount of torque steer, where the steering wheel tugs to the side under acceleration, if you press hard, and the steering doesn’t offer the same precision and reaction of the smaller, more agile hatchback.
We also had a lot of trouble finding enough front-end grip during a steep hill climb, something you most certainly wouldn’t experience in the RS265 which has the added advantage of a limited slip front differential to help it scramble without slippage. It’s a real shame Renault didn’t fit the GT 220 with the same technology.
It’s quite firmly sprung, with the suspension picking up bumps small and large, and the thin rubber on the 18-inch alloys permits plenty of road noise into the cabin.
It wasn’t annoyingly uncomfortable by any means, but on smooth sections of road it proved more enjoyable, and rapid, too. Given the right combination of circumstances, it’s a hoot to drive.
Inside, the new Megane GT 220 features a nicely trimmed cloth interior with comfortable, supportive front seats, a Renault Sport steering wheel, nicely textured gear-knob and an RS-inspired speed stripe across the dash.
The back-seat space is decent provided you don’t opt for the premium pack, which adds a panoramic roof that eats into head-room slightly. The boot is a handy size at 524 litres, easily large enough for a family's load of luggage for a short trip away.
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Overall, the GT 220 wagon may not offer the corner-carving nous of its three-door comrade, but it’s still a fun and functional option for buyers who like a bit of wag in the tail of their station wagon.
Vital statistics
On sale: Now
Price: $36,990 plus on-road costs, or $41,990 for the premium pack
Engines: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Power/Torque: 162kW/340Nm
Transmissions: Six-speed manual, FWD
Fuel economy: 7.3L/100km