We already know that the hot hatch segment is one of the most competitive scenes in the entire auto industry. Whether it’s the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Ford Focus ST, or the new Hyundai i30 N, there’s no shortage of competitors looking to become the best of the best. The Renault Megane RS also belongs on this list. It just so happens to that Renault is ready to unleash the next-generation model with an ace up its sleeve: four-wheel steering.

It’s not exactly four-wheel drive, but the system does make the next-gen Megane RS more nimble to drive, allowing it to easily push through corners. Four-wheel steering is just one of many new options Renault has for its new pride and joy. The short video documentary detailing the Megane RS’ creation gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the development phase of the Megane RS.

The 4Control system is arguably one of the most important additions to the hot hatch. It works in two different ways depending on how fast the Megane RS is going. If the car is going at speeds of up to 37 mph, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. But if the car is pushing well above 155 mph, all four wheels turn in the same direction. This setup gives the Megane RS more flexibility on a race track. The system also works with hydraulic compression stops located within the shock absorbers at the front and rear axles, creating extra damping in the process. If this tech sounds familiar, it’s because Renault adopted it from rally cars.

Move beyond this new features, and you’ll see that the Megane RS also gets the same 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that the Alpine A110 sports car has at its disposal. This engine is capable of producing 280 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque, more than enough to contend with its rivals. Even better, Renault also has plans to introduce a Trophy-spec model sometime in the latter part of 2018. That model is expected to have as much as 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

Watching the short documentary makes it easy for us to understand why Renault continues to push itself in this segment. It’s all about striving to be the best, and when you have rivals that are perpetually in their “A” games, there’s no other option but to aim for that level too.

References

Renault Megane

Read our full review on the 2018 Renault Megane RS.

Read more Renault news.