Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy – A Hatch With Speed To Match
The racy Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy, first came to South Africa in 2020, but only seven units were available. Now in 2023, 55 units of the upgraded Trophy will be on the market, and by the looks of things are set to sell as fast as this car is.
If you are looking for a hot hatchback that has all the performance you’d expect from a sports car, along with some head-turning good looks, then you’ll love the new Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy.
Performance and Control
You may have heard of the limited edition Ultime, based on the Megane R.S. Trophy, the release of which marks the close of a chapter in automotive history. Major differences between the two seem to be the exterior colours and interior features as well as tyres, but under the bonnet, they don’t differ.
The Renault Megane RS Ultime is powered by the same 1.8-litre turbocharged engine from the impressive Megane RS Trophy, producing 221 kW and 420 Nm of torque through the front wheels and a six-speed manual or EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Both cars are capable of reaching a top speed of 260 km/h, and 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
If you are looking for not just speed but also control on the road, the Trophy’s 4Control four-wheel-steering system is the answer. It allows for a smaller turning radius while also providing better stability and sharper steering response. At low speeds, this system turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels, and at speeds of over 60 km/h in Normal mode, or 100km/h in Race mode, all four wheels turn in the same direction to enhance road holding.
The Trophy’s Multi-Sense driving mode system also allows the user to switch between Normal, Sport, and Race modes with the flick of a button. In addition to the control system, the hatchback also has grip-maximising Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres to keep you safe. Last but not least, is its intelligent exhaust pipe with a dual-sound valve system to maximise engine performance.
Eye-Catching Design
On the outside, the Megane R.S. Trophy is still as sexy as ever but now with a new front bumper with an F1-style blade. It’s C-shaped LED headlamps and model-unique 19-inch triple-tone alloy wheels with red inserts will definitely turn some heads. In terms of colours of the exterior, you have a choice of Pearl White, Liquid Yellow or Orange Tonic.
On the inside, you will feel like you are in a racing car, with the seats finished in Alcantara with red topstitching. The dashboard has a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Price Point
In South Africa, the Megane R.S. Trophy is retailing for R899,900*, and this includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.
If you can get your hands on one of these French hatches you are bound to not only draw some attention but most likely love getting behind the wheel as well.
*Pricing accurate at the time of writing.
