Thought that the petrol-powered Renault Megane had been replaced by the all-electric Megane E-Tech? Well, it has - almost. It turns out that there's one last throw of the dice for a petrol-engined Megane, and it's a bit of a good one.
Just 1,976 to be built
The outgoing Megane R.S. was one of the fastest and most fun hot hatches around, and Renault is determined to give it a proper send-off. A proper send-off being this, the Renault Megane R.S. Ultime.
Just 1,976 Ultimes will be built, a nod to the fact that Renault Sport (R.S.) was originally established in 1976. They'll come in traditional Renault racing colours with black contrast stripes on the roof and the bonnet (except on cars with the optional sunroof), rear bumper, doors and wheelarches. The available colours for the rest of the body are Star Black, Pearl White, Sirius Yellow, and Tonic Orange.
The Ultime model also gets unique bodywork, with wheelarches that stretch out an extra 60mm at the front and 45mm at the rear, a central exhaust and a new rear diffuser. Most of the exterior trim and badging is finished in gloss black.
Signed by an R.S. legend
Inside, you get Recaro bucket seats in Alcantara suede and, at the bottom of the centre console, there's a plaque that bears the car's production number, as well as the signature of Laurent Hurgon. Hurgon is a Renault Sport legend - a development driver and the person who currently holds the Nürburgring, Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps front-drive lap records.
"Megane R.S. represents 15 years of my work at Renault Sport. Since the Megane II phase 2, we have constantly improved its dynamic performance in order to remain the leader in front-wheel-drive sports cars. The records on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are unforgettable challenges, full of passion, adrenalin and emotion. And now, Megane R.S. Ultime... I am particularly proud to sign the version crowning this wonderful saga," said Hurgon.
300hp Trophy engine
Mechanically, the Ultime is based on the Trophy version of the Megane R.S., so you get a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 300hp, 420Nm, a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a Torsen mechanical limited slip differential. The 0-100km/h sprint is done with in just 5.7 seconds, while cornering is courtesy of Bridgestone Potenza S007 semi-slick tyres on Fuji Light 19-inch wheels. The brakes are Brembo dual-cast discs with red callipers.
The suspension gets a front axle with independent pivots, lowered Cup chassis settings, hydraulic compression stops and '4CONTROL' rear-wheel steering.
It's not a stripped-out trackday special, though. Inside, there's a big 9.3-inch touchscreen, a Bose stereo and, built in to the 10-inch driver's digital display, an 'R.S. Monitor' on-board telemetry recorder. There's also active cruise control. Each Megane R.S. Ultime also comes with its own bespoke car cover, a sad indication that many of these are probably going to be laid down for investment purposes.