The New Megane Renault Sport 250 Cup

TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd (TCEC) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings and the sole franchise holder for Renault cars in Malaysia launched a new edition to the Renault family with the ever fast striking yellow Renault Megane Sport 250 Cup. The Megane RS 250 Cup is a continuation of the previous Megane RS R26 and Clio RS 197. Both were acclaimed in Europe as the best hot hatch cars in the world.

The Renault Sport 250 Cup is not just a badge exercise to increase its worth. The builders at Renault are legendary with their capacity to build ultra high performing cars. Heritage from their Formula 1 experience and numerous championship wins is testimony on their technological transfer from the F1 cars to their production car models. The Renault Megane Cup car is designed and developed on the track and unleashed onto the roads. This car has the wish list of any car enthusiast with an extensive range of functionalities ranging from a Cup Chassis, Limited Slip Differential, G-Force Meter, Pre-Set Pedal Maps, Recaro Seats, and huge Brembo Brakes. The only reason there is a 250 numerical distinction on its nameplate is only due to it large horsepower of 250Bhp at 5,500rpm on a Front Wheel Drive hot hatch. Delivering all this power in the Megane is handled by a 6 speed Manual transmission gearbox.

It is a track performance focused car. This car is designed to be your weekend track attack machine and also your daily drive to work on weekdays. The powerplant is a 2.0L Turbo Charged Petrol Engine, and delivers a maximum torque of 340Nm at 3,000rpm. Manufactured from Renault’s Palencia plant in Spain, the car is designed to heighten driving enjoyment with its R.S. Dynamic Management ( 3 ESP modes ) and a R.S. Monitor ( Onboard Telemetry ). The Cup Chassis features a mechanical LDS, uprated suspension settings, and Four-pot Brembo front calipers.

The Megane is also rated with a Euro NCAP 5 star rating with 6 airbags and scores 37/37 points. It also boasts a full range of convenience equipments such as keyless drive, handsfree access, integrated Bluetooth, automatic headlamps and wipers, dual zone air conditioning and bi-xenon lights. The car with its full drive ability on and off the track is truly amazing. The Cup Chassis has lightened materials and a re-engineered front end to make this car more agile to have increased road holding around fast corners. Renault has not only created a fast car for the tracks, but also added the key features for everyday driving. The previous Megane R26.R , still holds the lap record for its class in Germany’s famous 21Km Nurburgring Nordschliefe circuit. It was also named as ‘Car of the Year’ by British Mag Evo in 2007 and 2008.

The car runs on 18” wheels, and the front bumpers incorporate a wide air intake and a Formula 1 type aerodynamic blade. The has a central exhaust tailpipe, front and rear diffuser, reaffirming the car’s sporting credentials, and increasing its aerodynamics performance. Interior package has a Sporty Yellow rev-counter, bucket seats, seatbelts and yellow steering wheel stitching. The driving position in the Megane is just spot on for any driver wanting a ‘drivers’ position.

Driving the car, the front end does not run away from you as in a typical FWD car. It is attributed to the independent steering axis front suspension. The car runs round the corners in SIC circuit with its tail following you, more like a RWD car in a really tight apex, and acceleration out of corners is exhilarating. The front suspension end of the Megane is completely separated from the damper, unlike a typical MacPherson Strut arrangement. The front geometry is less sensitive to torque steer, and sits closer to the distance of the wheel centre thus allowing better turning feel and during hard acceleration and braking.

0-100kmph at a time of 6.1 secs, this car will deliver lots of G-force. You can check out the G levels on the R.S. Monitor as one tackles the tracks with it. It consumes about 8.4 litres/100km, and an equivalent of 195g/km of CO2. The new Megane Cup car, has a 3 year warranty on it with a 100,000km limited mileage or whichever comes first. Making it available only in 3 color choices here ; Yellow, White and Grey, this car is the ideal track weapon at a price tag of RM229,800 on the road excluding insurance. For more details of this fast track and road car, log onto www.renault.com.my. - iK

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