Is the Renault Mégane RS 265 Lux the hot hatch for those who need their daily dose of power?

Hot & flavourful, like a Durban Curry. We test drive the Mégane RS 265 LUX in Cape Town.

I attend a Crossfit class in Cape Town three times per week, and just like in my professional life, I am either the only woman there, or one of a small handful. So every week, I pull up in a new car, and the Crossfit boys usually have much to say about each and every one of them. When I arrived at the 5.30 pm class last Monday, they came walking out, all sweaty and out-of-breath, having actually paused their workout to come and see my new wheels. Their comments varied from “You’re such a show-off” to “How will you fit your kids in the back?” to “Can’t we please go for a quick ride? Pleeeease?”, and just a simple “Whoa!” or two. Yes, the Renault Mégane RS 265 LUX (R 389 900) is quite an attention-grabber, especially in its ‘Sirius Yellow’ paint job, which costs an additional R20 000. Sirius-ly? Ahem…

Quality Cabin

So, even though the RS LUX was called a “fast banana” among other things, I think it’s rather gorgeous. The non-racing, everyday Méganes are already stylish to begin with, but the RS Lux, with all its chrome ‘RS’ lettering, daytime running lights and faux carbon fibre inserts in the dashboard, is even cooler. Add some sporty leather seats with red stitching, ‘RS’ sills, an uncluttered centre console, a classically styled, tilted instrument cluster, a partly-perforated leather steering wheel, alloy pedals and centrally mounted touchscreen, and you get a beautifully European hot hatch, which suitable for everyday driving fun. If you don’t want to use the touch screen, there is small control centre with a joystick-like selector, placed underneath the lever of the six-speed manual gearbox. I found the system easier to operate via touch, but maybe that’s just me. The system, which includes TomTom satnav (with a super-handy, audible speed-camera warning), is also voice activated.

The Mégane RS LUX vs. the Ford Focus ST

I happened to drive the RS Lux the same week as when the new Ford Focus ST launched (read our first drive impression here), so it was nice to compare two of the C-segment’s manual performance hatchbacks with each other, in some respects. I have to admit that I find the Renault’s interior to be cleaner and more classy, with a higher standard of plastics used around the cabin. The seats of the Renault are also more suited to the daily commute to work and back, whereas the Focus ST’s are much more geared to hug you as you race around a track, and how often that will happen, I don’t really know. Space in the rear of the Renault is quite good, although the miniscule back windows aren’t optimal for when the kids accompany you on your journey. Even though there are only three doors in the Renault, the electrically adjustable seats will automatically move forward once the front seats are folded forward, so the rear bench is very accessible.
The Focus ST wins in this department, as there are five doors. This will definitely influence sales by hot-hatch aficionado fathers. Pricing for the top-spec ST3 with Ford’s new SYNC2 infotainment system is R421 900, and the ST1 costs R 381 900 – but has cloth seats.)

I also prefer the Renault’s coupé curves to the more conventionally styled body of the new Focus ST. I think these two vehicles may actually attract two very different buyers – in my mind’s eye, I see a slightly more mature person, even a female, ( or me!) behind the wheel of the glamorous RS 265 LUX.

Pretty & Powerful

Engine wise, the Renault has an 11 kW advantage over the Focus, but both have 360Nm of torque. The Focus ST has a lighter and more agile feel to it, and feels more torquey - but its suspension is harder. The Renault feels slightly more planted on the road due to its wide stance, and is more comfortable on longer journeys, with its suspension being more pliant. There’s a tiny bit of lag on both two-litre engines, but not much stirring of the gearbox is required (in both cars) as there’s ample power, even if you’re not in the perfect gear. To my great detriment, I seemed to have missed the Mégane’s nifty little ‘RS’ button, which apparently, was located close to my right knee. This will let you behave like a bit of a hoodlum, by causing faster acceleration and channeling a more throaty exhaust note into the cabin. There’s also an intermediate Sport mode for those who like to play, but who aren’t exactly Jenson Button.

The Mégane RS 265 Lux…not just for couples?

A highlight for me is the Renault’s generous 344 litre boot. The boot floor is really low, so if you need to stack suitcases on top of each other, it is doable. As both a petrol-head and mother of two, this counts in the Renault’s favour. The Mégane RS 265 Lux is packed with safety features such as ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, traction and stability control as well as six airbags.

The final say

The RS 265 LUX offers an involved drive, but without ever being too hard on the system. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a sexy, hot hatch full of comfort and convenience spec, that will make the everyday, mundane tasks fun. The French manufacturers really have to pull out all the stops to compete with volume sellers like Ford, and it all counts in the consumer’s favour. The Renault gets my vote. Have a look at the wide variety of Renault Méganes on the AutoTrader website.

Facts & Figures

Price	: R 389 900
Engine	: four-cylinder, 2.0 litre turbo-petrol
Gearbox	: 6-speed manual
Power	: 195kW @ 5500-6000rpm
Torque	: 360Nm @ 3000rpm
Top speed	: 250 km/h
0 to 100 km/h	: 6 sec.
Fuel tank	: 60 litres
Realistic fuel consumption	: About 9 – 11.5 litres per 100 km’s (combined)
Boot size	: 344 litres
Warranty	: 5 year / 150 000 km’s, 6 year anti-corriosion, 5 year / 90 000 km Service Plan. Service Intervals every 10 000 km.
Also consider	: Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI

For a full list of specifications, please go to