- Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:13 am
#3604484
Nuff said:
15/02/2007
Mégane R26 tops hot hatch group test
Competition in the high performance hot hatch environment is fiercer than ever but the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 beat all comers in a group test by the highly regarded EVO Magazine. A hit with Renaultsport fans since its launch in October 2006, the two-litre turbo engined Mégane proved to be the class in its’ field after three days of rigorous challenges.
Lining up against the Mégane Renaultsport R26 were competitors from Ford (Focus ST), Vauxhall (Astra VXR), Honda (New Civic Type-R), Seat (Leon FR) and Volkswagen (Golf GTi). First up was the performance test where the benchmark 0-60mph time was set by the Mégane Renaultsport R26 at 6.2 seconds, a full half-second clear of its nearest competitor.
On a longer run to 100mph, only the Focus ST got within touching distance of Mégane R26’s 16.0s with the rest of the field a distant 1.4s or more adrift. Introducing braking ability via the 0-100-0mph test, the Mégane Renaultsport R26 again came out on top with a time of 21.0s.
The West Circuit at Bedford Autodrome in slippery conditions gave the Mégane Renaultsport R26 the perfect chance to showcase its ground-breaking limited slip differential, a standard feature for the first time on a medium size performance hatch. With the Focus, Leon, Civic and Golf posting their best times in the 1min 40s – 1min 43s range, the stage was set for Mégane Renaultsport R26 to show its true class.
EVO’s review comments: “Just a couple of corners in, it’s clear that the Mégane is a different animal entirely. It’s hard core, a real live wire. Wring it out and it feels sharp and grabby, the limit of adhesion sharp-edged where the others are soft and progressive. In some turns you can feel it pulling towards the apex as if it has sniffed out a dry line. Even so, we were stunned to discover that it had posted a lap of 1min 36.05s, almost four whole seconds faster than the best so far...You don’t have to be a hero to get the time out of the Renault, mind; with stability engaged it recorded 1min 36.15s.”
The following day, a trip to twisting country roads tested each car’s character and again the Mégane Renaultsport R26 was favoured. On the challenge of producing a hot hatch, EVO comments: “It’s Renault that has succeeded and it’s the diff that makes the difference...the Mégane is much better controlled, partly thanks to ASR/ESP, which stops both wheels spinning up. The remarkably consistent delivery of its lightly whistling 2-litre turbo engine may be a factor too.”
In reaching the final verdict, the Mégane Renaultsport R26 is the pick of the bunch when it comes to hot hatches with a raw edge. Although the Golf, which costs an extra £2,000 more than Mégane R26, receives praise, in awarding Mégane R26 five stars EVO concludes: “If you want the ultimate hardcore fast hatch, it has to be the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. Crazy name, crazy car.”
Click here to find out more about the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26
Rallying=Proper driving
Racing/trackdays=For wimps,same bends lap after lap how boring!
. Once you have been to a few track days you realise where these cars sit in the performance spectrum. Lower middle at best [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
