It’s locked: the 2018 Renault Megane RS will be arriving in Australia come the third quarter of this year. And as expected, pricing will indeed start from an estimated $45,000 for the Sport chassis with a 6-speed manual transmission.
It’s now also confirmed that the newest RenaultSport product is Down Under-bound with the more track-focused Cup Chassis Pack, available to order now at your nearest Renault dealership. Costing a premium of $1,490 over the as-yet unconfirmed final price.
For the extra coin, the all-new Megane RS will be further armed with a 10 percent stiffer damper system over the previous generation Megane RS, specifically: 5 percent lower transfer rate during deceleration and a higher transfer rate compared to the standard chassis tune during acceleration by 7 percent.
Both these alterations alone has been tested to achieve more precise corner entry and increased traction out of corner apexes while further limiting understeer. These suspension enhancements work in tandem with the new Torsen mechanical limited slip front differential and uprated Brembo brake package that utilises bi-material aluminium/cast-iron discs. The stronger callipers are also painted red, if you’re into that.
While bookings are open for the Megane RS Cup, deliveries will begin a little later compared to the standard Sport and scheduled to begin in Q4 2018. Andrew Moore, Managing Director Renault Australia, said:
“Following the international launch of the all-new Megane R.S. we received strong feedback from media, customers and dealers that they would like to have the option of a Cup chassis on the entry model Megane R.S. 280. We have listened to this feedback and gone back to the factory to introduce a Cup chassis option,”
"Renault Sport and in particular the Megane R.S. has a strong history in Australia. In fact Australia was the third highest selling country in the world for the previous generation Megane R.S. behind France and Germany. We’re thrilled that the factory have supported us in responding to our customers and making this option available to our customers.”
The all-new Megane RS, regardless of chassis tune of Sport or Cup, will be powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol motor that’ll churn out 205kW and 390Nm and will employ a rear-wheel steer system (4Control) for the first time to augment its low-to-medium speed agility and high speed stability.
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