2011 Renault Megane Renault Sport

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The Megane Renault Sport profits fully from Renault Sport Technologies' extensive experience when it comes to manufacturing production sporting models.

Powerful Megane Renault Sport is powered by a new-generation 2-liter 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine which boasts maximum power of 250 hp at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 251 lb-ft from 3,000 rpm. The sum of the different improvements made to this engine has produced a gain of 20 hp over Megane R26.R which itself emerged as the yardstick in the world of performance hatches. The Renault Sport 2.0 T engine's twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is particularly flexible at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1,900 rpm. Its broad useful rev band makes it a genuine joy to drive in everyday use, and the pleasure remains all the way up to the rev-limiter whenever it is pushed a little harder.

The engine of Megane Renault Sport drives through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Work has also gone into the acoustics of the Renault Sport 2.0 T engine to produce a telltale sporty pitch audible inside the cabin under acceleration.

The Megane Renault Sport has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the previous Megane Renault Sport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction performance.

Like the sporting versions of the Renault Clio and Renault Twingo ranges, Megane Renault Sport is available with a choice of two chassis: the 'Sport' chassis or the 'Cup' chassis, which comes with a limited slip differential for even greater traction.

The electric power steering features specific, sportier calibration and benefits from the latest improvements seen on New Renault Megane aimed at achieving greater precision and even more feedback from the road.

The Megane Renault Sport is equipped with ESC which is fully disconnectable in order to enable owners to sample the pleasure of enjoying their car's full potential round a circuit.

Provocative Megane Renault Sport benefits from undeniably sporty looks. The front bumper incorporates the LED daytime running lights, as well as the splitter which recalls the low-slung nose of the R28 Formula 1 car. The sporty calling of this Renault Sport-badged model is further emphasized by its 18-inch aluminum alloy rims, central exhaust tailpipe and rear diffuser.

The interior appointments, too, exude the world of motor sport, from the extra lateral support for the seats, to the analogue rev-counter with visual and audible gearshift indicator, the aluminum pedal cover and the specific steering wheel complete with thumb rests. The Renault Sport signature is also visible inside the car: on the headrests, rev-counter background and dashboard.