Limited-run Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy lands in SA

If you love setting lap records in South Africa, you might not find anything better than the Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy. The hot hatch recently landed on our shores but only in limited numbers. Yes, only seven units are available in South Africa, starting at a hefty price tag of around R774,900. Built on the Megane RS 280 Cup's chassis, it competes against the likes of Hyundai i30N, Honda’s Civic Type R, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.

What makes this Megane RS so potent and nostalgic? Let’s find out:

The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy really shines in the performance department with an updated, more powerful 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. It gets a bigger ceramic ball bearing turbocharger and a new active valve exhaust system enabling it to generate more power. The power output jumped from 205 kW and 390 Nm to 221 kW and 400 Nm (with manual transmission) and 420 Nm (with EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission).

The powertrain is meaty enough to take the hot hatch from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.7 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than previous) on its way to a top speed of 260 km/h (5km/h faster than the Cup).

However, the performance figures do not give a true picture of the changes Renault has made to the Trophy. Although it shares the chassis as well as the MacPherson front and multi-link rear system coupled with stiffer anti-roll bars, springs, and dampers with the Cup, it feels punchier. Moreover, it has a Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD) helping you in cornering and pulling you towards your preferred path line.

The 4Control four-wheel steering system might be challenging to adapt to, however with practice, you will learn how it turns the rear wheels in the same path as the front wheels at fast speeds, and in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds.

Switching between the three driving modes (Normal, Sport, and Race) will change the throttle response, ride quality, and exhaust note.

In the styling8department, Renault has certainly outclassed its competitors. What draws interest towards the performance hatchback is its beefy front bumper, the now-signature front blade, a centrally fixed single-exit exhaust at the rear, and a diffuser. It still looks very much like the Cup model but differs itself from stickers on its side panels and the Jerez triple Tone 19-inch alloy wheels.

In the styling department, Renault has certainly outclassed its competitors.

What draws interest towards the performance hatchback is its beefy front bumper, the now-signature front blade, a centrally fixed single-exit exhaust at the rear, and a diffuser. It still looks very much like the Cup model but differs itself from stickers on its side panels and the Jerez triple Tone 19-inch alloy wheels.

Get inside and the Trophy welcomes you with Alcantara-trimmed Recaro sport seats and the Alcantara-covered steering wheel. The overall cabin design and feel are a big advancement over Megane models of the past. The boot space is also ample at 384 litres.

Don't get us wrong, the Trophy is not your everyday hatch, so don't expect the comfort of a passenger car. Expect the ride quality from firm to extra-firm. However, Renault has gotten away with the comfort factor by adding an 8.7-inch portrait-mounted colour touchscreen infotainment system supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy comes with an eye-watering price tag of R774,900 for the manual and R799,900 for the EDC automatic variant*. Nevertheless, what you get in return is nothing short of incredible.

Looking for a new ride? Online research is important to help guide you to the best decision. Keep an eye on the MotorHappy blog, where we are always reviewing the latest models.

*Prices correct at time of publication.

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.renault.co.za