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Hat-trick for Renaultsport at WHAT CAR Awards !
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New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is the latest addition to Renault's sporting line-up, with stand-out performance and styling that live up to the newcomer's pedigree.
In response to customer demand, New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is available from launch with a choice of two chassis: the standard Sport chassis, for everyday driving thrills, and the Cup chassis, for even more exhilarating track-focused performance
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Peak power is 250hp, while maximum torque is 340Nm which is available across a particularly broad rev-band to deliver a standard of performance that can be enjoyed equally on the road and on track.
Renaultsport’s latest offspring boasts a raft of specific equipment designed to heighten driving enjoyment, including Renaultsport Dynamic Management (which permits three ESP modes) and Renaultsport Monitor (onboard telemetry).
Manufactured at Renault's Palencia plant in Spain, New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is built on the same production lines as those of the Hatchback, Coupé and Sport Tourer versions of New Mégane.
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is the latest in a series of emblematic models that have helped forge Renaultsport's reputation, from the Dauphine Gordini to Mégane R26.R.
New Mégane Renaultsport 250 features the same styling cues as New Mégane Coupé, but it also exudes a more overtly sporty feel due to several elements that take their inspiration from Formula 1. The dynamic, sweeping lines of the Coupé version combine with a number of details which recall the world of motor sport to give it an even more assertive character, pointing to the promise of exhilarating on-road performance:
- The wheel arches are extended to accommodate the impressive 18- or 19-inch wheels,
- The front bumper incorporates a wide air intake and a Formula 1-type aerodynamic blade,
- The central exhaust tailpipe, diffuser and additional rear lip spoiler reaffirm the car's sporting credentials and contribute to the car’s aerodynamic performance,
- The front bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights highlight the car's piercing gaze.
The driving position is unmistakably sporty, but perfectly comfortable. The front seats feature additional lateral support, while the driver's seat is fully adjustable (fore/aft adjustment = 240mm, height adjustment = 70mm), including adjustable lumbar support. The optional heated leather seats come with an electric settings-memory function on the driver’s side. Those owners who enjoy putting their vehicle through its paces round a circuit will appreciate the optional cloth- or leather-upholstered Recaro seats. The low seating position is comfortable, and the driver benefits from efficient support, whether driving on the open road or on a circuit.
The steering wheel, too, is designed to be comfortable and sporty. Trimmed in full-grain leather, it is height- and reach-adjustable to find the ideal driving position. Its shape and integrated thumb rests ensure perfect grip, while the yellow centre-point marking is a particularly useful feature when taking a sequence of tight corners or when driving on low-grip surfaces.
The competition feel of the driving experience is rounded off by the aluminium-faced pedals. Quality materials have been employed throughout the cabin, with special care paid to assembly excellence and to the smaller details, with Renaultsport-badging visible on the grille, tailgate, sills, headrests, rev-counter face and dashboard trim.
A new feature on New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is the Renaultsport Dynamic Management system which allows the driver to choose the degree of electronic aid he or she wants in different situations:
'On': the default mode when the engine first started. The ESP, ASR traction control and emergency brake assist are all activated. The system intervenes as soon as it senses that the car is on the verge of sliding. The pedal mapping ensures smooth acceleration, making this mode ideally suited to everyday use.
'Sport' mode, for less intrusive ESP action. This mode is selected by a short press on the ESP button. Although the ESP and ASR are still active, they intervene at a later point and allow the car to slide to a certain extent, so long as the skid doesn't exceed a given threshold. The pedal mapping is modified to permit swifter engine response and provide extra torque at low revs.
'Off' mode, for unfettered enjoyment, notably round a circuit. This mode is activated by a longer push on the ESP button. The electronic stability programme is fully disconnected, while the pedal mapping ensures instant response from the engine and delivers all available torque and over-torque at low revs.
When the latter two modes are selected, 'ESP Sport' or 'ESP Off' are visible on the dashboard display.
Another unique new feature for New Mégane Renaultsport’s class is the Renaultsport Monitor, an advanced tool which provides the driver with real-time data. The system takes its inspiration directly from technology employed in motor sport and, until now, seen only on a small number of prestige road cars.
The New Mégane 250 boasts a raft of high-tech equipment, too, including Carminat TomTom®, a new, fully-integrated Sat Nav system for a pioneering price of less than £500.
The Renaultsport Monitor collects data through a series of sensors and drivers can scroll through the system's different functions using the steering wheel remote controls. Information shown on the main dashboard display covers:
Data concerning the main engine functions (turbo pressure, oil temperature) and brakes,
Real-time engine performance data (torque, power),
Transverse and longitudinal g-force,
Lap timer, with memory function,
Performance data, with automatic memorisation of best acceleration times
The Renaultsport Monitor also enables the driver to modify the throttle pedal mapping. With the 'Sport' mode selected there is a choice of five settings (linear, normal, snow, sport and extreme) to adapt the car's acceleration characteristics to the conditions or to the driver's demands.
Limited slip differential
The Cup chassis version of New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is available with a mechanical limited slip differential which comprises a knurled helical gear, and satellite and sun gears with parallel axes. The limited slip function is obtained by the system's mechanical efficiency. When wheel spin occurs, the differential's internal architecture generates friction on the surfaces of the sun gears. This results in a proportion of engine torque being transmitted to the wheel which benefits from the most grip.
The chief characteristic of this type of limited slip differential is the fact that the transfer rate is determined by the use of three friction rings (selected for their friction coefficient) which are located between the sun gears and differential casing. The transfer rate can be modified by using friction rings of different coefficients.
Since the faces of the rings which intervene under acceleration are different to those which intervene under braking, it is possible to achieve differentiated transfer rates.
The New Mégane Renaultsport 250 really will be worth the wait and will bring a smile to your face that will be difficult to stop.
