Bad news, petrolhead. These are bad times for sports compacts as we know them. The high-end and premium brands will probably survive for a few years, but we’re seeing a dramatic extinction of the (relatively) affordable sporty compact. The Ford Focus ST will disappear next year, and no French brand sells sports compact anymore, except for Renault. And we have been talking about the Renault Mégane RS: the time to buy it is running out very quickly.
Since the middle of last year we already know the 100% electric Renault Mégane E-Tech, and The fourth generation of the Renault Mégane is running out of time. The range of engines for sale has been reduced and some media such as Autocar even venture that Renault is simply selling stocks. The rumors are possibly not true, but a Renault Australia executive confirmed that the Renault Mégane RS would end its production in 2023 – We understand that together with the rest of the Renault Mégane with thermal engines in its bowels.
The only version available for sale of the Renault Mégane RS is the 300 CV Trophy.
Be that as it may, this will be the last year that it will be possible to buy a Renault Mégane RS, and it will be the last year in which a car signed by Renault Sport exists for sale. Assimilated by Alpine, this sports division will be in charge of 100% electric vehicles in the future, as well as motorsport programs. At the moment, and for months now, the only Renault Mégane RS available for sale in Spain it is the Trophy version. It is equipped with a 1.8 TCe four-cylinder engine and 300 CV, associated with a auto switch Seven-speed dual-clutch EDC.
This even sportier version of the Mégane RS has not only gained an additional 20 hp compared to the “basic” RS, but also It has a self-locking differential and a sportier set-up – the Sport RS chassis is standard – in addition to the four steering wheels for which this compact is characterized. Aesthetically it mounts 18-inch wheels, active valve exhaust and inside, the semibaquets are standard. It is a really agile and fun car in twisty areas, although it no longer has the option of mounting a manual gearbox.
It is currently only offered with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Renault Spain asks 39,517 euros for the Mégane RS Trophy. It is a reasonable price considering the price of its rivals (all are above 35,000 euros) and its power level. This price includes promotional discounts, but not possible financing discounts.
What alternatives remain to the Mégane RS?
At the moment, we only have the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Hyundai i30 N and Ford Focus ST left for sale, if we talk about vehicles in the general segment. Although there are recent releases like the Honda Civic Type R, the truth is that they are flashes, swan songs… exceptions to the rule. In the premium segment we continue to have offers from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, but at prices that comfortably exceed 50,000 euros. Sports compacts have moved into the premium segment and also to the world of crossovers and compact SUVs.
Photos of the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R
