2018 Renault Mégane R.S

PURE PERFORMANCE: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO DRIVE

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017, All-New Renault Mégane R.S. has been eagerly awaited by sports driving enthusiasts. Just like its predecessors, the Mégane R.S. is aiming to become a benchmark in the C-segment hot hatch market. The third generation Mégane R.S. is packed full of Renault Sport expertise and passion.
Driven by its powerful design and focused on performance, All-New Renault Mégane R.S. makes no attempt to hide its motorsport pedigree, offering outstanding driving pleasure on the road and on the track.
- A chassis combining efficiency, agility, stability and comfort, equipped with the 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and shock absorbers with hydraulic bump stops all round;
- A new generation 1.8-litre turbo engine, delivering 280hp and 390Nm of torque thanks to the development work jointly carried out by engineers from Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing;
- Customers can choose one of four versions, adapted to all uses, with two types of transmission available (manual or efficient dual clutch EDC gearbox) and two types of chassis (Sport or Cup);

'After having been involved in the development process during 2017, I'm very proud to be the ambassador for All-New Renault Mégane R.S. I had the opportunity to drive the car at various racetracks – Monaco, Montlhéry and Spa-Francorchamps – and I was impressed by the efficiency of the latest onboard technologies. The 4CONTROL system is a dream come true for every driver looking for efficiency, since it improves both the agility and the stability of the car. It's a shame that four-wheel steering systems are banned in Formula 1!'
Nico Hülkenberg, Renault Sport Formula One Team driver and Renault Sport Cars ambassador

A CHASSIS COMBINING PERFORMANCE, AGILITY AND STABILITY
4CONTROL technology: exclusive to the segment
Having raised the bar on handling with Mégane III R.S., the chassis and suspension system engineers have pushed the limits even further by introducing 4CONTROL technology on All-New Mégane R.S.
Provided as standard on the Sport and Cup chassis, this four-wheel steering system is a world first in the compact sports car segment.
Renault Sport's chassis and suspension system experts have extensively revised the settings of the 4CONTROL system in order to adapt it to a high-performance sports car. This has created an even more efficient driving experience, giving drivers the feeling that the car is glued to the road.



Strong core components, featured in all the generations
Included since the first generation of Mégane R.S. that appeared in 2004, the PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension epitomises Renault Sport's expertise in chassis and suspension systems. Initially designed for use in motorsport, PerfoHub has been adapted to powerful front-wheel drive cars, especially when they are also fitted with a limited slip differential.
The front axle of All-New Mégane R.S. has been entirely redesigned in order to adapt the negative offset geometry to the width of the wheels and increase rigidity.
All-New Renault Mégane R.S. is available with two chassis: Sport and Cup. This option, which allows customers to choose between two types of handling, stands out thanks to the specific suspensions settings.
Designed to be at its most efficient on the road, All-New Mégane R.S.'s Sport chassis provides new versatility on all types of surface, including the poorest quality and most uneven roads. It comes with new shock absorbers and an electronically-controlled torque distribution system. By acting independently on the drive-wheel brakes, this technology limits understeer and improves traction when exiting corners.
Suited to intense sports-style use and especially to driving on racetracks, the Cup chassis is 10 per cent stiffer with revised springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bump stops and a new Torsen® mechanical, limited slip differential. With modified settings compared with the previous generation, this new diff improves handling in all areas:
- During deceleration, the lower transfer rate (25 per cent, compared with 30 per cent on Mégane III R.S.) means that the vehicle achieves a more precise entry to corners;
- During acceleration, the higher transfer rate (45 per cent, compared with 38 per cent on Mégane III R.S.) increases traction and limits understeer, an inherent feature of front-wheel drive vehicles.
Previously acclaimed on Mégane III R.S., the Brembo® braking system has been improved, offering drivers greater power, endurance and therefore confidence behind the wheel. The diameter of the front brake discs has been increased to 355mm (+15mm compared with the previous generation). Available as an option on the Cup chassis, bi-material aluminium/cast iron discs help reduce the weight per wheel by 1.8kg. These are handed to each side of the car to maximise cooling during intensive use. The brake pedal setting focuses on the accuracy of the pressure applied, enabling drivers to remain in complete control, especially on the racetrack.

Four hydraulic compression stops
The second brand new feature on the chassis of All-New Mégane R.S. is hidden in its suspension. Once again, Renault Sport has raised the bar by fitting hydraulic compression stops to all four shock absorbers.
This rallying-inspired technology involves integrating a 'shock absorber within the shock absorber'. As the end of travel is approached, a secondary piston dampens the movement of the wheel before the bump stop. By dissipating the energy without transferring it to the wheel – as a traditional bump stop would – the compression hydraulic stops help avoid any rebound and pendulum effects, enabling optimum control of tyre-ground contact – providing the feeling of having eight dampers on the car.

Whilst providing increased comfort when negotiating everyday obstacles (speed bumps, pot holes, etc.), the hydraulic stops also filter out high-speed disruptions:
- On the Sport chassis, sporty driving is made easier, with best-in-class efficiency;
- On the Cup chassis, greater sports performance is provided, with fewer trajectory variations and disruptions for the driver.

MÉGANE R.S.: FIFTEEN YEARS ON
Expanding Renault's sports car range, Mégane II R.S. was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. It hit the roads and showrooms the following year, boasting a powerful 225hp engine and featuring PerfoHub (independent steering-axis front suspension).

A Trophy version, equipped with a more radical chassis, was released in 2005. Two years later, the F1 Team R26 – which paid tribute to Renault's World Championship titles – introduced limited slip differential.
The Mégane II R.S. adventure concluded in style in 2008 with the limited edition R26.R. A staggering 123kg lighter, it broke the lap record for a front-wheel drive standard specification production car with a time of 8mins, 17 seconds on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife.

The third generation Mégane picked up the baton in 2009, with a 250hp engine and an even more distinctive, muscular look with the introduction of the F1-style blade on the front bumper.
Úntil 2016, Mégane III R.S. evolved through the release of limited editions and stylistic changes. In 2011, the Trophy version, with its new 265hp engine, impressed with a new lap record at the Nürburgring (8:07.97) for front-wheel drive production cars. Times improved further with the 275 Trophy and the Trophy-R (2014). Driving this last version, Laurent Hurgon dipped under the eight-minute mark on the Nordschleife, setting a third record with a time of 7 minutes, 54.36 seconds.

More than 53,000 cars from the first two generations of Mégane R.S. were sold globally, including Japan, Australia, South Africa and beyond. Únveiled for the first time at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, All-New Renault Mégane R.S. picks up where they left off.

NEW GENERATION ENGINES AND GEARBOXES
A brand new 1.8-litre turbo engine derived from Alliance synergies
All-New Renault Mégane R.S. comes with a new version of the 1.8-litre direct injection turbo engine. This version develops a power output of 280hp (205 kW) at 6,000rpm and a peak torque of 390Nm available from 2,400 to 4,800rpm. A key factor in driving pleasure and comfort, the car boasts one of the best torque ratings in the category.

In order to achieve the required performances, Renault Sport's engine specialists designed a completely new cylinder head, with a reinforced structure and more efficient cooling that dissipates heat right next to the combustion chamber. The design was entrusted to a task force made up of the best specialists from Renault Sport Cars, Renault Sport Racing and the Renault Technocentre . By using the calculation and simulation facilities at the Viry-Châtillon site, development time was slashed to just six months.

Work also focused on the Twin Scroll turbocharger, already used on Mégane III R.S. This technology helps to improve torque at low revs.

To increase the supply of cool air to the engine, the air intake was redesigned with the addition of a second air inlet and a new, larger filter element.

Still with improved performance in mind, All-New Mégane R.S.'s engine has been given surface treatments taken from the world of racing and supercars, such as DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) for the valve lifters and Mirror Bore Coating for the cylinder sleeves.

This modern engine, equipped with a chain-driven timing system, also boasts reduced CO2 emissions and fuel consumption (-11 per cent and -8 per cent respectively compared with Mégane III R.S.).

Manual or efficient dual clutch EDC gearbox: spoilt for choice
Widely acclaimed by owners of Mégane III R.S., the six-speed manual transmission is maintained on All-New Mégane R.S.
An optional six-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox is also available for the first time. In order to provide complete reliability, this gearbox – which is already in use on several models in the Renault range – has been strengthened to withstand the torque and revs of a sports car engine. Based on the required take-off acceleration, in-gear acceleration and maximum speed, the Renault Sport engineers defined new gear ratios and specific shift patterns, associated with the Multi-Sense modes so as to adapt to all driving styles.

Influenced by the Renault Sport Formula One Team, the EDC gearbox comes with steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles. The gearshift times depend on which Multi-Sense mode is selected:
- Comfort and Normal: smooth gear changes, without any jerking;
- Sport: quicker gear changes with amplified engine noise;
- Race: efficiency with no compromise on comfort, with even quicker gear changes.
In Sport and Race modes, the EDC gearbox also has the following functions:
- Multi Change Down: under braking in manual mode, this feature lets you drop several gears simultaneously by pressing and holding down the left-hand paddle. The best gear is then selected in order to exit the corner as efficiently as possible.
- Launch Control: the clutch and turbo are pre-loaded, enabling standing starts to be made just as quickly as in a racing car. In Sport mode, traction control provides the driver with additional support in finding the best possible grip in slippery conditions.

DESIGN MEETS PERFORMANCE…
Wider tracks and features taken from the world of motorsport
With expressive and sporty styling, All-New Mégane R.S. has been designed to deliver performance, right down to the very last detail. The specific body means that the wings have been widened by 60mm at the front and 45mm at the back (compared with Mégane GT). With the ride height lowered by 5mm compared with Mégane GT and new 18- or 19-inch wheels, these new proportions make the car naturally more aggressive.
This powerful design is boosted by a number of features taken from the world of motorsport, which immediately place All-New Mégane R.S. in the high-performance category:
- A wide air intake in the front bumper that incorporates the F1-style front blade, a hallmark of Renault Sport styling that reflects the brand's involvement in Formula 1. The blade's Gun Metal Grey satin-finish colour contrasts with the brilliant shine of the bodywork;
- A 3D honeycomb-pattern grill mesh reinterpreted by Renault Sport;
- Sculpted, sensual body sides inherited from the design of Renault Mégane are accentuated by the wider front and rear tracks.
- Wing-mounted air extractors, which optimise air flow through the wheel arches;
- A side sill establishes a link between the front and the rear, the black blade of which evokes the undertray of a Formula 1 car;
- A redesigned rear spoiler to improve aerodynamic performance. Whilst emphasising the width of the car, the vertical vents contribute to aerodynamic efficiency by providing improved lateral air flow;
- A rear bumper with a built-in diffuser and the iconic central exhaust that has come to epitomise Mégane R.S.;
- Improved efficiency of the diffuser compared with the previous generation. Whilst boosting the sporty feel of the design, this aerodynamic component helps to increase downforce;
- The Brembo® brake callipers, painted red on the Cup chassis so that they are instantly recognisable to enthusiasts.

Volcanic Orange: a dazzling, dynamic colour
All-New Mégane R.S. also stands out with an emblematic colour: Volcanic Orange, which supplements the palette of Renault Sport colours. Like Liquid Yellow, this new colour has been specifically developed for a vibrant finish and unique reflective effects, highlighting the profile of the car.
The cabin's resolutely sporty design is apparent everywhere you look:
- Sports front seats with built-in head rests, boosting the cockpit look of the interior;
- Two choices of upholstery (carbon grey weaved fabric or Alcantara® );
- Red top-stitching in a carbon grey trim , lending the interior a decidedly sporty feel;
- Aluminium pedals and specially-designed gearshift lever.
Specific work was done on the shape and materials of the seats to find the best compromise between the comfort needed for everyday use and the support required when driving on a racetrack.

THE MANÚFACTÚRING PERFORMANCE OF THE PALENCIA PLANT
Located 146 miles to the north west of Madrid, Renault's Palencia plant has built over four million Mégane cars since 1995. Thanks to the investments made recently in the press shop, body shop and paint department, as well as on the assembly line, the plant has met the challenge of producing All-New Mégane R.S. The front wings and the widened body sides have now been integrated into the bodywork, without the need for inserted or fixed parts, thus improving perceived quality.

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST PERFORMANCE
R.S. Monitor: simpler and more powerful
Featuring a completely revised, more user-friendly layout and offering extended functionalities, the telemetry and data acquisition system R.S. Monitor provides All-New Mégane R.S. drivers with a new experience. There are two options for the system:
- Available when ordering the vehicle, R.S. Monitor gathers and summarises information from forty or so sensors spread around the car. It is therefore possible to display a wide range of vehicle settings in real time on the R-LINK 2 touchscreen tablet: acceleration, braking, steering wheel angle, operation of the 4CONTROL system, temperatures and pressures, etc.
- Únprecedented in the segment, R.S. Monitor Expert lets you film your driving sessions and then overlay telemetry data, in order to obtain superb augmented reality videos. These videos enhance the All-New Mégane R.S. driver experience and can be instantly shared on social media using applications available for iOS and Android smartphones.
And if you want to go even further with R.S. Monitor Expert, the recorded data may be exported to the R.S. Replay website. You can then play back your driving sessions, analyse your laps down to the very last detail and compare them with other users from the Renault Sport community.

R.S. Vision: high-performance lighting by Renault Sport
Introduced on Clio R.S., the multi-reflector LED lighting system R.S. Vision comes as standard on All-New Mégane R.S. These chequered flag design lights are integrated in the front bumper, either side of the F1-style blade.

Únique in this market segment, R.S. Vision meets the need for powerful, efficient lighting, in line with the other features offered by All-New Mégane R.S.

Equipped with nine LEDs per block, this system combines four high-performance lighting functions: side lights, cornering lights, fog lights and long-range high beam lights.

With a range of 460 metres (+17 per cent compared with Mégane III R.S.), the high beam lights perfectly complement the Full-LED technology headlamps. For the first time, the C-Shape lighting signature incorporates the indicator lights.

Multi-Sense: customise your sports car experience
Controlling engine response, the mapping of the accelerator pedal, shift patterns and the stiffness of the steering, the Multi-Sense system lets drivers customise their experience according to the circumstances. Five positions are available:
- Comfort: specific engine response settings and gearbox shift patterns5 that reduce fuel consumption;
- Normal: a good balance between comfort, acoustics and safety, with an ideal ESP activation threshold for everyday use;
- Sport: a sportier disposition, this mode combines more lively response with pleasingly accentuated engine noise, stiffer steering and a delayed ESP activation threshold;
- Race: for racetrack driving, the ESP is completely disabled and the settings of the 4CONTROL system deliver even more agile handling;
- Perso: this mode allows each driver to customise the settings of the various technologies and driver aids (ADAS) on the vehicle – every part of the car can be set up individually according to the driver's situation.

The various modes may be accessed via the R-LINK 2 touchscreen tablet. The R.S. Drive button provides a shortcut to the Sport (short press) and Race (press and hold) modes.

Harnessing technology to boost versatility
Whilst offering outstanding performances, All-New Renault Mégane R.S. is also an incredibly versatile sports car, perfectly suited to everyday use.
For the comfort and safety of the driver and the passengers, it comes equipped with all of the advanced technologies featured on Renault Mégane:
- Driver aids (ADAS), including the likes of adaptive cruise control (ACC), active emergency braking system (AEBS), safe distance warning (DW), overspeed alert with traffic sign recognition (OSP with TSR), blind spot warning (BSW), rear-view camera and Hands Free parking;
- An R-LINK 2 touchscreen tablet – with horizontal 7-inch or vertical 8.7-inch screen – can be used to manage all of the vehicle's features: activate ADAS, manage the Multi-Sense modes, R.S. Monitor, etc;
- An audio system developed in conjunction with engineers from BOSE® – featuring a central loudspeaker at the front, eight other speakers spread around the cabin and a subwoofer integrated in the luggage compartment – provides precise, clear and balanced sound.

Source - Renault