The limited edition Mégane RS 265 Trophy burst onto the scene in 2011, its increased 261bhp and 266lb ft of torque thanks to a new air intake and higher 2.5 bar turbo pressure. A stiffer chassis, more track focused suspension, and a limited-slip differential aided the Cup’s sharp-handling agility, but confusingly, buyers could spec the standard ‘Sport’ model with the Cup chassis. The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot engine also found its way into a more focused – and cheaper – 250 Cup model. Inside, aluminum pedals and a Renault Sport steering wheel with thumb grips marked out the newcomer. With power cranked up to 247bhp, the new machine adopted more coupé-like styling, its 18in alloy wheels, front splitter, extended sills and wheel arches, rear diffuser and central exhaust giving a more aggressive air. The third-generation Mégane appeared in 2009, the £21,995 RS 250 hitting the UK in 2010. Lighter by 10kg than the regular 225, it was followed by the 227bhp 230 Renault F1 Team R26 in 2006 – celebrating Renault’s 2005 Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship Formula 1 titles – and the hardcore R26.R of 2009, which had no rear seats, a polycarbonate tailgate and rear windows, a carbon-fibre bonnet and six-point harnesses. In 2005, the 225 Cup included the Cup chassis option as standard, adding drilled brake discs with a larger master cylinder and stiffened steering. Packing 222bhp with three or five doors, the Renault Sport Mégane 225 (a nod to its 225PS output) sprinted to 60mph in 6.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 149mph. The first RS-badged Mégane arrived in 2004, based on the Mégane II. Pant-wettingly and excitingly available in Cup specification from 2002, the frippery-deleted Clio set the Renault and wider hot hatch standard of the time, as well as the template for future trés-chaud Regies to come. Much more serious performance Renault hatches came in the shape of the 5 Turbo, Clio 16V and Williams, with the first official Renault Sport model being the Clio 172 of 2000. Hot Renaults can trace their roots back to the Alpines and Gordinis of the 1960s and 1970s, the 5 Alpine/Gordini of 1976 the first proper ‘modern’ La Regie hot hatch.
Packing 247bhp and an optional Cup chassis featuring an LSD, the RS 250 meant business, and with examples now even more affordable than ever, what do you need to keep an eye on if you want one? Sponsored by Adrian Flux.
The Renault Megane RS 250 was the difficult second album follow-up to Renault’s first truly sporty Mégane, the RS 225.
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