New Mégane R.S.: Sport and elegance drive together

Style and performance mark the first impression of the 2010 Mégane Renault Sport (R.S.), the new sports car of the French make that joins a successful line-up which includes the R8 Gordini, the Super 5 GT Turbo, Clio Williams and, more recently, Clio Renault Sport, Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R.

A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine powers the New Mégane R.S which is available with two different chassis: the Sport chassis, for everyday driving and the Cup chassis for a track-focused performance. The sports car has a peak power of 250hp and the 340Nm maximum torque is available across a particularly broad rev-band to deliver a standard of performance that can be enjoyed on the road as well on race tracks.

To heighten driving enjoyment the New Mégane R.S. comes with specific equipment which includes the R.S Dynamic Management allowing three ESP modes and the R.S Monitor that provides onboard telemetry.

Manufactured at Renault's Palencia plant in Spain the New Mégane R.S. has several elements that take inspiration from Formula 1. It comes with an even more assertive character, while pointing to the promise of exhilarating on-road performance thanks to the combination of the dynamic, sweeping lines of the coupé version with a number of details which recall the world of motor sport.

With a 100 per cent sporty attitude, the New Mégane R.S. was launched with a striking Sport Yellow colour and emanates an impression of stability and robustness. To give it a chic and elegant character special attention has been paid to quality. The design, the finish of the 19-inch Steev wheels, the exterior mirror housings, the aerodynamic blade incorporated in the front bumper and the rear diffuser all picked out in gloss black suggest a blend of refinement, advanced technology and speed.

The combination of chic and sport goes from the exterior into the cabin. The dark charcoal trim contrasts with the Sport Yellow rev-counter background and steeringwheel stitching. Other touches of colour are brought by the Yellow Ambience Pack in the form of the seatbelts and two-tone grey and yellow upholstery, as well as the door-panel and gear lever knob stitching. The steering wheel is also designed to be comfortable and sporty and the aluminium-faced pedals and footrest rounds off the competition feel of the driving experience of the New Mégane R.S.