The Incredible Renaultsport Megane Is Now Cheaper And Even Better Than Before

Of the dizzying array of hot hatches available these days, the Renaultsport Megane remains the most driver-focused. It’s an incredible machine to get behind the wheel of, and there’s no need to add any ‘for a front-wheel drive car’ caveat: it’s stonkingly good full stop. With that in mind, we were rather happy to hear today’s Renaultsport related news: the now six-year-old RS Megane just got even better, and a whole lot cheaper.

The old 265 is gone, with all models now being ‘275’ (271bhp) spec, and there’s a new entry-level car: the ‘Cup-S’. It ditches a few creature comforts but - crucially - as it has the Cup chassis package, you get burly four-pot Brembo brakes, firmer springs and dampers, a stiffer anti-roll bar and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The price? £23,935. Not bad considering the old 265 with a Cup chassis was nearly £27,000.

If you want something a little plusher, the 275 Nav has - as you probably gathered - a navigation system, as well as dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, among other things. If you want the Cup package on this car, it’ll be a further £1350 on top of the £25,935 base price.

Our advice? Get the Cup-S, and spend the money you save on the £2000 optional Öhlins adjustable dampers. Based on our experiences with the 275 Trophy and Trophy R, that’d give you one of the finest hot hatchbacks money can buy.