Frankfurt Motor Show - These are the first “official” pictures of the 2018 Renault Mégane RS - arguably the most, most previewed and most teased new model to debut at the show, along with confirmation of its salient points.
Which start with a new direct-injection 1798cc turbopetrol four, its cylinder head designed with combined input from Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing Formula 1 engineers, a high-capacity dual-intake air filter and a new twin-scroll turbo.
It’s rated for 205kW at 6000 revs and 390Nm from 2400-5000rpm, driving the front wheels via (for the first time on a Mégane RS) your choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and paddle shift, and (on the Cup chassis) a Torsen limited slip differential retuned for improved traction and higher cornering speeds .
And there’s a 220kW/400Nm Trophy version coming before the end of 2018, with the Cup chassis and 19 inch rims as standard.
The independent steering axis front suspension has been revised and stiffened, and eded designed to cater for New Renault Mégane R.S.’s new geometry and is stiffer than before, four-wheel steering is standard on both Sport and Cup chassis, while motorsport-derived hydraulic front and rear compression stops prevent violent bottoming out. Sport and Cup chassis each have their own specific springs, damper settings, bump stop and anti-roll bars.
Braking is entrusted to new 355mm front discs with Brembo callipers; bi-material cast iron and aluminium brake discs are an option.
The cabin is trimmed in charcoal grey with red top stitching in your choice of ‘carbon fibre weave’ or alcantara, with special Renault Sport aluminium pedals and gear lever.
The RS Monitor on-board telemetry system gets new graphics in a choice of two configurations, displaying your driving performance in real time on the 22cm R-Link 2 screen - or you can connect a camera or smartphone, video your laps and play then back, with your performance data in the image. Five drive modes, including a personalised setting, let you decide how much driving excitement you’re up for.
Multi-reflector RS Vision LED lighting, as on the new Clio RS, is standard, including fog-lights, cornering lights, dipped beams and main beams in one cluster.
Nothing's confirmed yet, but the Mégane RS is tentatively scheduled for South African release early in the second quarter of 2018.