Megane RS Ultime: Renault hot hatch bows out

RENAULT’S Megane RS (for Renault Sport) precisely follows the hot hatch formula and has done so for almost 20 years, through four generations and a number of facelifts along the way – but now it is time for the front-drive French firecracker to go electric.

Marking the internal combustion model’s demise as Renault’s electrification program leaves no room for petrol-powered performance, the brand’s Australian importer is offering just 40 units of a limited edition Megane RS Ultime variant with more goodies priced from $67,500 plus on-road costs.

That price is with a six-speed manual gearbox, while Renault commands $70,500 + ORC for the six-speed dual-clutch auto. Paint choices are included in the price.

For comparison, the mainstream Megane RS has crept up in price, reaching from $63,000 + ORC for the current model Megane RS Trophy.

The extra four and a half grand gets buyers black 19-inch Fuji lightweight alloy wheels, hi-performance Bridgestone S007 tyres, Recaro front bucket seats, specific exterior decals, a choice of four paint colours – Liquid Yellow, Orange Tonic, Diamond Black and Pearl White – blacked-out Renault logos and a numbered door sill plate.

Australia’s allocation of 40 Ultime editions is from a global production run of 1976 units, a figure paying tribute to the year Renault Sport was founded.

The Ultime’s pricing places it in rather exalted company with the forthcoming new-generation 235kW 2.0-litre Honda Civic Type R pitched at $72,600 drive-away and retaining the purist’s six-speed manual and front-wheel drive combination.

Similar money also bags all-wheel drive Germans including the Audi S3 Sportback for $70,800 + ORC, a BMW M135i from $67,000 + ORC and a Golf R AWD from $66,990 + ORC.

If 70 large is too rich, thrills aplenty are available from a 206kW 2.0-litre Hyundai i30 N from just $46,200 + ORC (if you can find one) and the all-rounder 180kW Golf GTi starts from $55,490 + ORC.

The Ultime shares the regular Megane RS Trophy’s turbocharged 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine kicking out 221kW at 6000rpm and 420Nm at 3200rpm (400Nm for the manual).

With all that urge going to the front wheels, the Megane RS Ultime features mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential that helps with traction and contributes to a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.

Renault Sport specifies the sportier ‘Cup’ chassis on the Ultime that brings with it four-wheel steering, launch control (on the auto), an active valve exhaust system and Brembo bi-material high-performance brakes.

Inside the Ultime are near-race-spec Recaro front sports seats, paddle shifters for the (auto only) and the signature of Renault Sport test driver Laurent Hurgon along with the vehicle’s production number to remind owners of the car’s exclusivity.

Externally, the colour choices are augmented by F1-derived styling cues to accentuate the Ultime’s looks.

Pitched as ‘the ultra-exclusive, limited-edition Megane RS Ultime’ by Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey, the swansong model is said to represent the culmination of a long and storied history of Renault hot hatches.

“Indeed, Renault Sport set the blueprint for what a hot hatch should be and has consistently delivered on that blueprint for almost 50 years: nimble, lightweight, highly-tuned engine and a chassis set-up designed for the most challenging of B-roads,” said Mr Sealey.

“This final edition Megane RS Ultime is the ultimate expression of the genre and a fitting way to bow out.”

A five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and five-year roadside assistance membership are included, while the first five capped-price services cost $2645 over the term.

2023 Renault Megane RS pricing*:

*Prices excluding on road costs