Renault Megane RS265 2.0 Review: Wild track child

What we like:

Improved exhaust note that inspires spirited driving. Pin sharp steering. Excellent standard Brembo brakes.

What we dislike:

Rear seats lack headroom while the high boot sill hinders loading of heavy cargo.

Most of the updates have been done under the hood this time. While the 2.0-litre four pot turbo remains, the engineers have managed to squeeze a couple more ponies out of it. Hence the ‘265’ in RS265. 15 more ponies doesn’t sound like much but the car is much more eager than before.

However, the first thing you notice isn’t how powerful the car is but how drivable it is compared to its predecessor. With the lighter clutch, you’ll find yourself stalling the engine a lot less (if ever) than before. And shifting between second and third gears in a traffic jam isn’t quite as tiresome as you might think.

Enough with the boring stuff because the RS is in a word. Brilliant! Once the needle approaches 3,000rpm, the car takes off on a mission to headbutt the horizon in just six seconds. A tenth of a second quicker than before.

With local RS265 specified with the Cup chassis, the car’s ride is firm but comfortable. Besides the well sorted chassis, it comes equipped with the mechanical limited slip differential that makes this hot hatch corner like on rails.

And despite using an electric rack, the steering feel hasn’t been lost. Steering is well weighted and accurate making the RS very easy to point towards the apex in an almost telepathic sort of way.

And with the reworked engine, the RS now sounds less like a tractor and more like a proper hot hatch with every gear change met with a nice growl.

While the individual changes seem piecemeal, they do come together to bring the RS up to its full potential. Considered the most hardcore among the hot hatch offerings, the RS is meant for the enthusiast driver who wants the best no nonsense hot hatch in the market.

And it is quite easily the one with the best handling chassis in its class. For the weekend track warrior, there’s no better companion.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline