The Renault Sport version of the Renault Megane, has been unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. Available in both three-door Sport Hatch and five-door Hatch configurations, the Megane Renault Sport 225 will be powered by a new 2.0 Turbo engine developed by Renault Sport outputting 225 bhp to the front wheels.

2004 Renault Megane Sport

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2004 Renault Megane Sport
  • Horsepower: 225@5500
  • Torque: 3000
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche
  • Engine/Motor: 6.4 liter V8
  • Horsepower: 0@0
  • Torque: 3750
  • Transmission: 6 speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Entering the highly competitive lower-medium hot hatch sector, the new Megane Renault Sport 225 will challenge a wide range of rivals by offering the agility, speed and driving pleasure of a hot hatch combined with the comfort and refinement of a grand touring model.

The New Megane Renault Sport 225's 2.0 Turbo engine is a development of the 165 bhp turbo engine available in other Renaults and offers high power over a wide speed range, while the car has a double-axis strut rear suspension, guaranteeing efficiency and precision of handling.

The Beauty of the "Beast"

Megane Renault Sport 225 retains the styling of New Megane while adding a number of subtle but elegant sporting elements. It repeats the fundamentals of the Renault Sport design with wrap-round bumpers, more prominent foglamps and large air-intake and outlet grilles, plus centrally-mounted twin-pipe rear exhaust, similar to the New Clio Renault Sport V6 255.

Additional elements characteristic of the versions developed by Renault Sport - a discreet spoiler on the rear hatch and large diameter 18-inch alloy wheels - contribute both to the dynamic styling and the efficiency of the car. Inside, the modern, streamlined design of New Megane is prominent, with sporting touches to the dashboard and the gear lever console.

The pedals and the footrest also feature an aluminum finish.

The steering wheel and driver's seat have multiple adjustments so that every driver can find their ideal driving position. The front seats, with their pronounced curves, have special side supports on both cushion and backrest.

Megane Renault Sport 225 has a host of technical features such as tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control and speed limiter, electrochromic rearview mirror, plus automatic headlamps and wipers. Xenon headlamps, whose light output is twice that of halogen bulbs, are also available. Megane Renault Sport 225 is also equipped with the Hands-Free Renault Card, an audio unit built into the facia with four speakers distributed around the cabin, and as an option, Carminat Advanced Navigation.

A Powerful Engine With a Wide Torque Curve

Using as its base the turbocharged 2.0 16V engine available in the company's top-of-the-range models, Renault Sport has developed a high-performance version which remains easy to use in everyday driving. Its output of 225 bhp and 300 Nm of torque is achieved thanks to changes to key items such as the turbo and the engine's reciprocal components. With 90% of its maximum torque available between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm, the engine provides strong and continuous power up to the highest speeds. The engine exhaust has also been developed to provide a truly pleasing note, with a special twin-outlet system.

The six-speed manual gearbox allows the engine's performance to be fully exploited while reducing fuel consumption and noise levels during long journeys. While possessing performance of the highest order, with an acceleration time of 6.5 sec to 62 mph and 26.7sec to cover 1 kilometer from a standing start, Megane Renault Sport 225 provides excellent efficiency with fuel consumption of 32.1 mpg in the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 209 g/km.