Had the r26r and a 265 cup... So great cars. People Don t understand how much Renault can give you. They are the business as porsche with the 911 and all the variants
Once again a very good review of something quite new on this channel. I am glad additional Car Manufacturers recognize the benefit of being on Joe's channel. On a side note; I think the rear compartment is shaped to accommodate a set of additional wheels for track days, and specifically, carbon fibre rims, made in Australia I guess, available as an option.
Carbon wheels were aviable as optional in EU as well. It was I think like 20k euro per set, a very good price since OEM carbon wheels start at 10k euro per each. If you added them as an option the car would be deliver with the carbon set in the backseat, as it fits 4x rims+tyres.
Great honest review. This piqued my interest because I’m currently looking at a Megane 225 Trophy as a first track-only car. Also weighs 1300kgs, and obviously has 225hp, though it only costs about £3k.
Great review Joe ! I am lucky enough to have one of 11 in Australia and it's got the bi-metallic brakes, not Carbon. They perform great! I like the fact that's it's proper drivers car and so rare and unique. Not another Golf, M2 (sorry) or AMG etc. It's only a weekend toy and we have the weather for the tyres too. Thanks for a superb review 👍
It's awesome it exists and we have to encourage it when brands take these kind of crazy decisions, but it will only be bought by collectors mainly. When you consider what else you can buy with 75k euro (what it costs here) you will find other cars that probably tick more boxes apart from the exclusivity one. On the other hand it does have all track-spec mods on it already. e.g. aftermarket Öhlins, on any performance car, will cost you a kidney and probably liver. I also have to agree with Joe that even though I daily an M140i myself which is almost double the engine size, this 1.8 tCe engine Renault made is really a nice little power plant. It feels eager, accels smooth through the gears and sounds better than most current 4-pot turbo's. I extensively tested the normal Mégane RS Trophy last year and taking into consideration the Trophy R is even quite a bit lighter I'm sure 300hp/400Nm doesn't feel underpowered at all, it is the sweet spot for an FWD hot hatch.
Great video again, smashing it this year. Being a modern French hot Hatch owner myself, its refreshing to hear your positive view to the driving experience of some French flair. Its not all about bhp bragging rights in the pub. The more popular German autos are great cars, but I'll stick with my 270bhp, 1205kg(dry weight) 6spd manual. It's an absolute riot to drive.
Last few that were sold went for £50k with the carbon wheels packs, which on their own were £12k on launch. Effectively making this a £40k car which some were sold at without the wheel pack. Only 2 of the 32 were full carbon spec at £72k which were the CC brakes and wheels. One a press car and the other in a collection I believe. There is a fair bit of expensive 'bits' on it over the Ohlins. Sabelt one piece buckets, Carbon bonnet, carbon rear diffuser tray, Akra Ti exhaust and carbon revo wheels. Having had an RS 300 trophy before I got the 'r', I can only say that the removal of the 4WS brings the car alive, especially on track. Should have been an option on the RS300 trophy to delete it. I daily and track mine. It is expensive for what it is to those who have not driven one and simply go on what is written by others. The main headline on all the you tube vids is "A 72k megane - eek!!'
thank you for the vid, I have just spent 60K on a Abarth 595 including thousands of carbon, but this would have been an alternative for sure and I like the car....- great vid and comments Joe
This car costs double a normal megane trophy but isn't twice the car, its one of those cars you buy when you own a collection and can afford to spend that amount on a limited focused car like this. Great review as always
Hi joe. I would love to hear what you think of the Toyota GR Yaris. Please do a video and the demo car will be at the showroom next couple weeks. For 60k you can buy 2 of those.
I have the 280RS with the cup chassis and that handles really well and the exhaust is bonkers in perso/sport mode. I’d love to drive this R version to see how much better it is, especially at over double the price.
@@DamoDrives Just watched your video and my car is the same spec but in titanium grey, and everything you said was absolutely spot on. And I will be taking it to a track next summer for sure. On a separate note you’re very natural in front of the camera reviewing cars. 👍🏼
Nice review as ever Joe. The sound of the thing! Can you try and get a Civic Type R? That’d be a nice comparison. The Type R is more reasonably priced too.
Mark Rhoden true, the closest they’ve got is the recent limited edition 2020 Type R. With the forged wheels, stripped out sound deadening, no aircon, no infotainment.. they kept the rear seats though
Hey Joe, great review. You were filming very much on my local roads, over and over it seems :) We could have done a comparison test with my Megane 265 Cup. Maybe next time!
I recently bought this car. It's awesome. But the delayed throttle response by going full throttle is frustrating, even in race mode. I miss the immediate responsiveness of the Meg 3 RS on "extreme" throttle setting.
Great video Joe. I've come from a mk3 Focus RS to the Megane RS280 and at 6ft2 I find the seating position so so much better than the Focus. Amazingly the seats actually go lower than I need (full Alcantara trimmed sports seats) and I don't think I've needed to adjust them since the day i collected. The RS280 obviously comes in alot cheaper even with cup chassis and 2 piece Brembos and just feels so much better built than my previous Focus. I'm not a Focus hater, far from it, I was just dissapointed
When you lose the Hatch practicality by removing the back seat, it puts it into competition with a base m2 or a cayman. You’d have to be a purist, with10 other cars, to buy one of these. As you know yourself, the m2 or cayman are a one car garage usually.
I agree. This is cool but is a rich man's track toy and that puts it up against some other really big hitters. Its a hatch by name alone, it has zero practically and why give it rear doors? Surely if they are going all out weight saving then useless doors are off the list?
Nice review, shame you couldn't take it on track. Obviously people will question the price but a lot of r & d would have gone into this car and it's cleary a demonstration of what can be done with a fwd. Plenty of enthusiasts out there who will buy and already have this car. Rest assured it would be far more engaging than a lot other cars in the same price bracket.
I was trying so hard to grab one Dow n here in Australia back alas but bought bought a rs300 trophy manual an luv it road test that next I'm sure you would fine that a better bang for the bucks
Does anyone know if it's normal that there is a little delay in throttle response while going full throttle in the lower gears 1-3 or 4? I didn't have that with my Meg 3 RS 265 when changing the throttle mapping to sport or extreme. There was absolute instant response. Not with this one unfortunately. Too bad you can't change the throttle mapping like on the old 265
That's the base price. You need to add the carbon package to that. Carbon fiber wheels with semi slick tires, and carbon ceramic brakes. So much more expensive.
Good review again, your channel is on fire lately Joe. As good as it is, I think this car is a confused proposition and a missed opportunity. If you're going to do it, don't just do it 8/10 go the whole way.
Agreed. If they do something extreme like this they should go all the way. A/C out, 3 doors, plastic windows, best street legal tyres available (S007 aren't even as fast as MPS4s), a little push on the hp etc., with better tyres alone they could have bested their Nürburgring time by 4-5 seconds.
Hi joe, I’ve been watching all of your videos through my tv since March thus year and through COVID time, but I don’t know if you’ve gotten new equipment and the quality of film is much higher and better but they keep freezing and restarting fir some strange reason. FYI none of the other subscribers I subscribe too seem to have this issue, cheers.
It would be interesting to modify a "normal" Megan Trophy to a similar spec to this R and see how much it would cost. Assuming you start with a new £35k Trophy. Feels like you would have to spend 30 odd grand, imagine having a carbon bonnet made ££££s! A quick check of the Ohlins web site for example and they don't list Renault, so I guess only Renault can buy from them.
Excellent vid! Love a hot hatch! I managed to get a Nissan Micra’s 0-60 down to 5.8 sec! Although it sure isn’t hot, it is a cheap hatchback! Content is on my channel! It’s currently being fitted with launch control...on a Nissan Micra...
It's was an ok review I find it painful when you have a car but don't no much about it and give the wrong information about the car .but other than the wrong information good work mate keep it up 👍
weight is everything - thats why all these new heavy M3s, M5s, M8s etc are not sports cars at all. they are just powerfull cruisers. even the new fwd 128ti is like 1550kg which is ridiculous. and its not about BMW only but all af the cars on the market right now.
I seen one of these on eBay and thought they were having a laugh, 60k for a Renault not for me I don’t care how quick it goes, manufacturers have mastered the art of giving you less for more
Not really. What Joe didn't know or Renault didn't tell him is they also give you a full set of carbon wheels in that price, or at least that's the offers I've seem on UK dealers. The whole set if you were to buy it aftermarket costs you like 30k euro or more and they do reduce a lot of weight even compared to the tested, red wheels. Basicly they charge that much because this is a track day car that you can also register. Just look at the smaller Clio CUP cars they are 35-40k euro new on Renault. So I'd say this Megane is a bargain with the carbon wheels :O
Joe you were being far too kind when you described the interior as 'average' as it's bloody awful mate! Thats my main issue with French cars, love how they drive and perform but just SO bad to sit in!!
Reckon you could buy a 2012 Megane and make it quicker than this without breaking the bank? Since this bought and owned a 275 cup s. All I can say is you have to own a Renault RS car…. They are in a different league to anything else. The handling on those is something else. Nothing feels worth driving after unless it’s something stupidly more expensive
Renault went wrong just making a 5 door version. As always brilliant video Joe. Will you be doing any live videos again joe like you did when we was in full lock down? Really enjoyed them and great content.
pretty sure its not a 2.0 its a 1.8 like all the top of the range meganes. Seating position you mentioned youre taller than average, how tall are you? i don't think you mentioned it befire :D
Yeah got that worng and corrected myself in the edit with text on screen. I had about 45 mins of dry time to do the entire intro and detail shots alone, occasionally I make mistakes and have to correct them in edit.
Great review Joe 👍🏼 and no doubt an excellent, fun car 👍🏼 but... that astronomical base price of £50K for a FWD 5 door French hatchback with cheap, plasticky interior is just bonkers and it’s going to alienate a lot of genuine car enthusiasts, including a number of Renault RS Fun Boys 🙈 Also being a 5 door only (no 3 door choice as with all modern Hot hatches) yet no back seats seems a bit silly. Sorry Renault but £50K base price for that is a bit loopy 🙈🤣 £39,995 would have been a bit more palatable.
Yeah but that's almost 300k, so not really comparable. Not that anyone would but if you throw that sort of money on the megane I'm sure it would weigh a lot less than 1300kg.
The car you have there is the £70K car because you cannot buy the car with just the carbon brakes. You have to buy the carbon wheels as well. There are only two of those cars in the country and this is one of them. The £60K car is the the standard car plus carbon wheels which also include the red steel wheels. Superb car let down by poor dealer network that are more used to selling £20K clios on PCP.
No doubt it's a good car, and I try to have as open mind as possible, but like many, that car is too much money. Is really worth so much more compared to let's say, an FK8 Civic Type R? Yes, the Megane Trophy R WILL be quicker around a track, and has been proved to that effect around the Green Hell, but I'm still not convinced. On the plus side, it sounds a lot better than Type R, and with it being the type of car it is, it will keep its value (rare thing for a Renault, I can speak from experience) and could prove to be a collectors item.
For much less money but similar driving dynamics and definitely comparable on smiles per mile, you really should blag a Fiesta ST Joe. Would make a great review and being different to your usual genre of car, might attract some new subscribers... Then if you want to really test your blagging skills and get the jump on all your vlogging competition, persuade Lister Bell to let you borrow a Stratos. 🤓👍🏻
Amazing how many people had missed that, i made a mistake and corrected myself in screen, yet that's what some people chose to take away from the video 😂🤷🏻♂️
Not a hot hatch. No back seat, practicality and comforts gone... it’s a very fast car that’s very good at scaring some much more expensive equivalents, but it is not 100% what a hot hatch is meant to be about.
So this is 60k, front wheel drive, no back seats and does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? The AMG A45S starts at 50k, 4 whee drive, back seats, looks waaaay nicer, and does 0-60 in 3.9...?
Not about 0 to 60. On a track day, this megane would murder the a45 s laps after laps. In a good pilot hands. The a45 would be quicker in my mum's hands sure. But this thing is for connaisseurs
Robin Marples I guess if it’s all about the track then fair enough, but if it’s just a track car then couldn’t you build something much better than this for 60k? - That’s a genuine question I’ve never done any kind of build and have no idea 😂 Maybe it’s just my view on the ‘hot hatch’ but I want it to be the best for every day use... but I guess I’m biased as I should be taking delivery of my A45S any day now 😂
Track Time Videos I’d argue one is for a road driving enthusiast and one is for the track driving enthusiast? I wouldn’t necessarily say the A45S is for the masses, I’ve only ever seen one 😂
Surely, aside from the bonnet, the reason its so expensive is mostly down to the Ohlins, not the weight saving measures? I don't wish to be rude but I think you, like many others, are a badge snob. If it was badged 'BMW' or 'Mercedes' etc, then you wouldn't be commenting "£60k for a (insert car model here).."etc, which just ignores everything which makes this car so good in one misjudged statement. Yet throughout the video you contradict yourself and keep saying "what a car!". Renault performance cars have never been about how 'classy' they look or how good they are screwed together, just like Golf GTI's have never been about how exciting they are to drive. If I had £72k i'd buy one, just to be able to say to the 'badge snobs' "this car can do things that yours can't"
More negatives than positives it seems Joe, all cars do the same thing it just depends what you want from a car and if you have plenty of coppers then by all means have one that seems to be the message. I have had 5 Renault`s in my driving life and pretty much liked them all in there own way but this one wouln`t suit me.
I’m sorry joe but if I have 60k to throw at a car I’m certainly not buying a Renault , not that they are as bad as they used to be but in terms of investment I would rather buy a M2 or A45s
You don't have to be sorry buddy, I didn't buy one either. Just producing content on something different that is an incredible piece of kit regardless of badge.
@@JoeAchilles1 100% mate love that your doing different brands now it is very interesting and love the variation . Just giving my thoughts on it if I had that sort of money still a beautiful and fun car
Sorry, but 1300 kilos of weight without rear seats, a carbon fiber bonnet, titanium exhaust and a sci-fi rear diffuser? That's some joke? My 15 years old Audi A3 is also 1300 kilos of weight with a rear seats, a steel bonnet, a factory exhaust, with a steel brakes and with everything else....it's not a surprise that Renault didn't make such a success...it seems like that car is a very expensive french scam...a masochistic french too expensive overdramatic overpriced cow.
@@tracktimevideos5164 Exactly....and one more thing.....that's not a way to give a comment, because i could act like you and i could say that i don't give a fu.k about your sh...ty comment, by the way, my crappy old A3 is weighted yesterday, without driver and with all the fluids inside on the Yearly inspection test, and a car passed the test without any fail, that's about the old crap
@@JoeAchilles1 I enjoy your videos, very honest reviews just saying what my opinion would be if I had £60k that's all and it wouldn't be a Renault... Don't know what the hate is for a Tesla.
Thanks buddy appreciate it. Driven all of the Tesla's and honestly don't see what the fuss is about, terrible build quality, awful cabin ergonomics and sooo ugly. Just don't get the fuss around them personally.
@@JoeAchilles1 personal preference I guess but I really like the design of the model 3, especially the performance. Cyber truck is questionable though, that thing is fugly. The one I test drove had no problems with build quality compared to other reports elsewhere you hear about, I guess they're slowly improving it? I'm no Tesla fanboy by any accounts, currently driving an m135i (N55) thanks to your reviews on them.
Had the r26r and a 265 cup... So great cars. People Don t understand how much Renault can give you. They are the business as porsche with the 911 and all the variants
Once again a very good review of something quite new on this channel.
I am glad additional Car Manufacturers recognize the benefit of being on Joe's channel.
On a side note; I think the rear compartment is shaped to accommodate a set of additional wheels for track days, and specifically, carbon fibre rims, made in Australia I guess, available as an option.
Carbon wheels were aviable as optional in EU as well. It was I think like 20k euro per set, a very good price since OEM carbon wheels start at 10k euro per each. If you added them as an option the car would be deliver with the carbon set in the backseat, as it fits 4x rims+tyres.
Great honest review. This piqued my interest because I’m currently looking at a Megane 225 Trophy as a first track-only car. Also weighs 1300kgs, and obviously has 225hp, though it only costs about £3k.
Great review Joe ! I am lucky enough to have one of 11 in Australia and it's got the bi-metallic brakes, not Carbon. They perform great! I like the fact that's it's proper drivers car and so rare and unique. Not another Golf, M2 (sorry) or AMG etc. It's only a weekend toy and we have the weather for the tyres too. Thanks for a superb review 👍
Ever take it to Wakefield Park or SMSP?
@@Joe-qc2fw Not yet, as it's just sat locked up due to COVID, not even ran in yet 😢
This Trophy would smoke any BMW on a twisty road. Amazing machine they've made.
It's awesome it exists and we have to encourage it when brands take these kind of crazy decisions, but it will only be bought by collectors mainly. When you consider what else you can buy with 75k euro (what it costs here) you will find other cars that probably tick more boxes apart from the exclusivity one.
On the other hand it does have all track-spec mods on it already. e.g. aftermarket Öhlins, on any performance car, will cost you a kidney and probably liver.
I also have to agree with Joe that even though I daily an M140i myself which is almost double the engine size, this 1.8 tCe engine Renault made is really a nice little power plant. It feels eager, accels smooth through the gears and sounds better than most current 4-pot turbo's. I extensively tested the normal Mégane RS Trophy last year and taking into consideration the Trophy R is even quite a bit lighter I'm sure 300hp/400Nm doesn't feel underpowered at all, it is the sweet spot for an FWD hot hatch.
Not sure why there is full door cards in the rear given there is no seat, surely that was a weight saving opportunity missed
as you may imagine it would be too expensive to homologate just a few exemplars
Because there's no point to make another platform or shell for a limited production car.. That would make Renault lose money..
Great video again, smashing it this year. Being a modern French hot Hatch owner myself, its refreshing to hear your positive view to the driving experience of some French flair. Its not all about bhp bragging rights in the pub. The more popular German autos are great cars, but I'll stick with my 270bhp, 1205kg(dry weight) 6spd manual. It's an absolute riot to drive.
Really good review! And what a car! Amazing! Only that price....
Completely over priced for what it is
Last few that were sold went for £50k with the carbon wheels packs, which on their own were £12k on launch. Effectively making this a £40k car which some were sold at without the wheel pack. Only 2 of the 32 were full carbon spec at £72k which were the CC brakes and wheels. One a press car and the other in a collection I believe. There is a fair bit of expensive 'bits' on it over the Ohlins. Sabelt one piece buckets, Carbon bonnet, carbon rear diffuser tray, Akra Ti exhaust and carbon revo wheels. Having had an RS 300 trophy before I got the 'r', I can only say that the removal of the 4WS brings the car alive, especially on track. Should have been an option on the RS300 trophy to delete it. I daily and track mine. It is expensive for what it is to those who have not driven one and simply go on what is written by others. The main headline on all the you tube vids is "A 72k megane - eek!!'
thank you for the vid, I have just spent 60K on a Abarth 595 including thousands of carbon, but this would have been an alternative for sure and I like the car....- great vid and comments Joe
This car costs double a normal megane trophy but isn't twice the car, its one of those cars you buy when you own a collection and can afford to spend that amount on a limited focused car like this. Great review as always
Hi joe. I would love to hear what you think of the Toyota GR Yaris. Please do a video and the demo car will be at the showroom next couple weeks. For 60k you can buy 2 of those.
I have the 280RS with the cup chassis and that handles really well and the exhaust is bonkers in perso/sport mode. I’d love to drive this R version to see how much better it is, especially at over double the price.
James Harding I reviewed the 280 3 weeks ago and thought it was a great car. £25k more than the 280 thought is a difficult pill to swallow
@@DamoDrives Just watched your video and my car is the same spec but in titanium grey, and everything you said was absolutely spot on. And I will be taking it to a track next summer for sure. On a separate note you’re very natural in front of the camera reviewing cars. 👍🏼
The rear doors are for the optional carbon fiber extra set of wheels
Nice review as ever Joe. The sound of the thing!
Can you try and get a Civic Type R? That’d be a nice comparison. The Type R is more reasonably priced too.
Shame Honda don't make a track focused version so we could compare, that would be interesting
Mark Rhoden true, the closest they’ve got is the recent limited edition 2020 Type R. With the forged wheels, stripped out sound deadening, no aircon, no infotainment.. they kept the rear seats though
Totally. See if Honda can't throw you the keys to the new 1 of 20 Limited Edition Type R's. Would love to hear how that compares.
Hey Joe, great review. You were filming very much on my local roads, over and over it seems :) We could have done a comparison test with my Megane 265 Cup. Maybe next time!
I recently bought this car. It's awesome. But the delayed throttle response by going full throttle is frustrating, even in race mode. I miss the immediate responsiveness of the Meg 3 RS on "extreme" throttle setting.
Very nice review !!! What a brilliant UK road to do the review !!!
Joe, you must admit, that Renault handles better then BMW, even on front wheel drive platform. And obviously more joyful (capable) in fast corners :)
Great review Joe! Nice to hear some good balanced thoughts out on the road in this thing
Wonder how difficult obtaining that carbon hood will be when you have a front end knock? I’d bet you have to go back to a steel one.
Great video Joe.
I've come from a mk3 Focus RS to the Megane RS280 and at 6ft2 I find the seating position so so much better than the Focus. Amazingly the seats actually go lower than I need (full Alcantara trimmed sports seats) and I don't think I've needed to adjust them since the day i collected. The RS280 obviously comes in alot cheaper even with cup chassis and 2 piece Brembos and just feels so much better built than my previous Focus. I'm not a Focus hater, far from it, I was just dissapointed
Amazing footage Joe. Lots of hard work, I'm sure, but well worth it. Great review.
The previous model to this was actually the previous 275 Trophy-r not the R26R
Would be great if honda made a equally hardcore version to have direct competitor to look at as with the more standard trophy megane
When you lose the Hatch practicality by removing the back seat, it puts it into competition with a base m2 or a cayman. You’d have to be a purist, with10 other cars, to buy one of these. As you know yourself, the m2 or cayman are a one car garage usually.
I agree. This is cool but is a rich man's track toy and that puts it up against some other really big hitters. Its a hatch by name alone, it has zero practically and why give it rear doors? Surely if they are going all out weight saving then useless doors are off the list?
JW H don’t think Renault created a 3 door body shell for this generation Megane, only a 5dr
Benjamin Rhodes then remove the bloody back doors panels and save even more weight!
Actually, the rear seat is for 4 non street legal track tires on rims. Very original and practical.
Jaak Ennuste yeah, tires still have no hands to open doors and action the power windows.
Excellent review always a pleasure to watch ur videos joe 👍🏼
Hope they make the rear wheel steer a delete option in a affordable runout Cup S spec later on. Just give us the parts catalogue to pick and choose.
Nice review, shame you couldn't take it on track. Obviously people will question the price but a lot of r & d would have gone into this car and it's cleary a demonstration of what can be done with a fwd. Plenty of enthusiasts out there who will buy and already have this car. Rest assured it would be far more engaging than a lot other cars in the same price bracket.
I was trying so hard to grab one Dow n here in Australia back alas but bought bought a rs300 trophy manual an luv it road test that next I'm sure you would fine that a better bang for the bucks
Does anyone know if it's normal that there is a little delay in throttle response while going full throttle in the lower gears 1-3 or 4? I didn't have that with my Meg 3 RS 265 when changing the throttle mapping to sport or extreme. There was absolute instant response. Not with this one unfortunately. Too bad you can't change the throttle mapping like on the old 265
£60K for the fastest FWD car around the Nürburgring is not so bad really :)
Alot aren't watching that. It's a drivers car
Who cares unless you're actually going to race it?
@@fale892 yes but they did not
That's the base price. You need to add the carbon package to that. Carbon fiber wheels with semi slick tires, and carbon ceramic brakes. So much more expensive.
@@pokest225 nop. 60 is the full price. Without it was around 45. Now yea, because they went a bit up in value.
Good review again, your channel is on fire lately Joe. As good as it is, I think this car is a confused proposition and a missed opportunity. If you're going to do it, don't just do it 8/10 go the whole way.
Agreed. If they do something extreme like this they should go all the way. A/C out, 3 doors, plastic windows, best street legal tyres available (S007 aren't even as fast as MPS4s), a little push on the hp etc., with better tyres alone they could have bested their Nürburgring time by 4-5 seconds.
Great car Joe 👍🏻 probably would need to drive it to see how it feels, going up against A45 & M2 for that cash 😎
Very good review!
Keep up the fantastic work 👍👍 great review
Top motor mate! Keep it up 👍
Nice looking car👏🏾
Joe, would you please review also the Peugeot 308gti? I’d like to know your opinion.
Cheers
Standard trophy is nuts on any a or b Road this must be mega
Hi joe, I’ve been watching all of your videos through my tv since March thus year and through COVID time, but I don’t know if you’ve gotten new equipment and the quality of film is much higher and better but they keep freezing and restarting fir some strange reason. FYI none of the other subscribers I subscribe too seem to have this issue, cheers.
Very nice car and i'm sure it's a great drive, but personally i'd take a new Type R for half the money
Great review as always! It's a nice car, but you have to be such a big Renault fan boy to pay 50-70k for a Mégane.
I think the trophy-R doesn't come with four wheel steering like the regular 280 or even the trophy model.. ?
You're right
@@pokest225 A key point to share i would say. Joe was just too excited.. the regular megan RS is a very underrated car
It would be interesting to modify a "normal" Megan Trophy to a similar spec to this R and see how much it would cost.
Assuming you start with a new £35k Trophy.
Feels like you would have to spend 30 odd grand, imagine having a carbon bonnet made ££££s!
A quick check of the Ohlins web site for example and they don't list Renault, so I guess only Renault can buy from them.
Or start with a used one, near new, for £26K
Excellent vid! Love a hot hatch! I managed to get a Nissan Micra’s 0-60 down to 5.8 sec! Although it sure isn’t hot, it is a cheap hatchback! Content is on my channel! It’s currently being fitted with launch control...on a Nissan Micra...
You should test a Trophy with the rear wheel steering for comparison. It’s only half the price.
60k for that...no thanks!!! great review keep up the good work👍
Nice vid joe
All the current Megane RS’ have 1.8l engines, not 2l ones. Just a heads up
Thanks, I had corrected that across the screen when editing 👌
@@JoeAchilles1 Ah my bad, missed that!
Had 208 GTi, enjoyed that, now got AMG A45S, I'm done buying, no hyper hatch is more fun than an AMG
A45S is an insane bit of kit, but it has nothing on this in terms of feel and agility
We would like a review with RS Trophy
It's was an ok review I find it painful when you have a car but don't no much about it and give the wrong information about the car .but other than the wrong information good work mate keep it up 👍
weight is everything - thats why all these new heavy M3s, M5s, M8s etc are not sports cars at all. they are just powerfull cruisers. even the new fwd 128ti is like 1550kg which is ridiculous. and its not about BMW only but all af the cars on the market right now.
Love the "french" looking tash near the end 😂
I seen one of these on eBay and thought they were having a laugh, 60k for a Renault not for me I don’t care how quick it goes, manufacturers have mastered the art of giving you less for more
Not really. What Joe didn't know or Renault didn't tell him is they also give you a full set of carbon wheels in that price, or at least that's the offers I've seem on UK dealers. The whole set if you were to buy it aftermarket costs you like 30k euro or more and they do reduce a lot of weight even compared to the tested, red wheels. Basicly they charge that much because this is a track day car that you can also register. Just look at the smaller Clio CUP cars they are 35-40k euro new on Renault. So I'd say this Megane is a bargain with the carbon wheels :O
We need a project car
@1:53, I thought it was a 2 litre? - edit seen the note
Joe you were being far too kind when you described the interior as 'average' as it's bloody awful mate! Thats my main issue with French cars, love how they drive and perform but just SO bad to sit in!!
Reckon you could buy a 2012 Megane and make it quicker than this without breaking the bank?
Since this bought and owned a 275 cup s. All I can say is you have to own a Renault RS car…. They are in a different league to anything else. The handling on those is something else. Nothing feels worth driving after unless it’s something stupidly more expensive
Renault went wrong just making a 5 door version. As always brilliant video Joe. Will you be doing any live videos again joe like you did when we was in full lock down? Really enjoyed them and great content.
Great stuff
pretty sure its not a 2.0 its a 1.8 like all the top of the range meganes. Seating position you mentioned youre taller than average, how tall are you? i don't think you mentioned it befire :D
Mike Nagington 6ft 4
@@NathanMannin thanks, i was just teasing. I'm a long term subscriber so its unusual for him not to mention it
Yeah got that worng and corrected myself in the edit with text on screen. I had about 45 mins of dry time to do the entire intro and detail shots alone, occasionally I make mistakes and have to correct them in edit.
Ah I got ya;)
Great review Joe 👍🏼 and no doubt an excellent, fun car 👍🏼 but... that astronomical base price of £50K for a FWD 5 door French hatchback with cheap, plasticky interior is just bonkers and it’s going to alienate a lot of genuine car enthusiasts, including a number of Renault RS Fun Boys 🙈 Also being a 5 door only (no 3 door choice as with all modern Hot hatches) yet no back seats seems a bit silly. Sorry Renault but £50K base price for that is a bit loopy 🙈🤣 £39,995 would have been a bit more palatable.
Brill vid mate. Want one lol.
Ferrari Pista is just under 1400kg, given all the extra tech in the Ferrai I think the RS is still quite heavy.
Yeah but that's almost 300k, so not really comparable. Not that anyone would but if you throw that sort of money on the megane I'm sure it would weigh a lot less than 1300kg.
Rather the t shirt Joe. 😉
The car you have there is the £70K car because you cannot buy the car with just the carbon brakes. You have to buy the carbon wheels as well. There are only two of those cars in the country and this is one of them. The £60K car is the the standard car plus carbon wheels which also include the red steel wheels. Superb car let down by poor dealer network that are more used to selling £20K clios on PCP.
No doubt it's a good car, and I try to have as open mind as possible, but like many, that car is too much money. Is really worth so much more compared to let's say, an FK8 Civic Type R? Yes, the Megane Trophy R WILL be quicker around a track, and has been proved to that effect around the Green Hell, but I'm still not convinced. On the plus side, it sounds a lot better than Type R, and with it being the type of car it is, it will keep its value (rare thing for a Renault, I can speak from experience) and could prove to be a collectors item.
Well we are living in the future after all.
Yeah pretty sure it has 1.8 litre motor not 2.0 litre ?
Yep. The actual megane rs as the 1.8 as the alpine a110
For much less money but similar driving dynamics and definitely comparable on smiles per mile, you really should blag a Fiesta ST Joe. Would make a great review and being different to your usual genre of car, might attract some new subscribers...
Then if you want to really test your blagging skills and get the jump on all your vlogging competition, persuade Lister Bell to let you borrow a Stratos. 🤓👍🏻
Nah no one can convince me to buy a french brand, had enough experience. The quality just isnt there
@RS m135i
@RS yes i do
Great car but would find it hard to spend so much money on a Renault. 🤔
Good review will never spend that much on that could buy a rs5 stil smoke that even if this was running 400ps
You could buy an OG m2 and an FK8 , have a nice holiday for the same price Aa I’ve of these. I know what I’d do.
Or instead of a Cayman GT4 you could get a Caterham 420R and one of these...
It’s not a 2L
It’s a 1.8T
He does edit that error with an on screen graphic 👌
Amazing how many people had missed that, i made a mistake and corrected myself in screen, yet that's what some people chose to take away from the video 😂🤷🏻♂️
@@JoeAchilles1 the correction police will always be lurking 🙄😂
Not a hot hatch. No back seat, practicality and comforts gone... it’s a very fast car that’s very good at scaring some much more expensive equivalents, but it is not 100% what a hot hatch is meant to be about.
In my opinion, it's just a very expensive marketing exercise.
even with double of all you say, thats too expensive for a megan!
Nice beard
worth every panny if it is golden colour. red on white? nahhh
So this is 60k, front wheel drive, no back seats and does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds?
The AMG A45S starts at 50k, 4 whee drive, back seats, looks waaaay nicer, and does 0-60 in 3.9...?
Not about 0 to 60. On a track day, this megane would murder the a45 s laps after laps.
In a good pilot hands. The a45 would be quicker in my mum's hands sure. But this thing is for connaisseurs
Robin Marples I guess if it’s all about the track then fair enough, but if it’s just a track car then couldn’t you build something much better than this for 60k? - That’s a genuine question I’ve never done any kind of build and have no idea 😂
Maybe it’s just my view on the ‘hot hatch’ but I want it to be the best for every day use... but I guess I’m biased as I should be taking delivery of my A45S any day now 😂
@@rubbergrub561 to do a good fwd sports car you can track. Trust in Renault guy. Trust them. Trust me on that 😉
Track Time Videos I’d argue one is for a road driving enthusiast and one is for the track driving enthusiast? I wouldn’t necessarily say the A45S is for the masses, I’ve only ever seen one 😂
As cool as it is, I can't find a reason to buy this car at that price point.
Surely, aside from the bonnet, the reason its so expensive is mostly down to the Ohlins, not the weight saving measures? I don't wish to be rude but I think you, like many others, are a badge snob. If it was badged 'BMW' or 'Mercedes' etc, then you wouldn't be commenting "£60k for a (insert car model here).."etc, which just ignores everything which makes this car so good in one misjudged statement. Yet throughout the video you contradict yourself and keep saying "what a car!". Renault performance cars have never been about how 'classy' they look or how good they are screwed together, just like Golf GTI's have never been about how exciting they are to drive. If I had £72k i'd buy one, just to be able to say to the 'badge snobs' "this car can do things that yours can't"
1.8 liter not 2.0
I clearly correct myself on the screen post edit
More negatives than positives it seems Joe, all cars do the same thing it just depends what you want from a car and if you have plenty of coppers then by all means have one that seems to be the message. I have had 5 Renault`s in my driving life and pretty much liked them all in there own way but this one wouln`t suit me.
60k for a Renno who they kidding.
I’m sorry joe but if I have 60k to throw at a car I’m certainly not buying a Renault , not that they are as bad as they used to be but in terms of investment I would rather buy a M2 or A45s
You don't have to be sorry buddy, I didn't buy one either. Just producing content on something different that is an incredible piece of kit regardless of badge.
@@JoeAchilles1 100% mate love that your doing different brands now it is very interesting and love the variation . Just giving my thoughts on it if I had that sort of money still a beautiful and fun car
It would actually be a good investment because of the exclusivity if that's what you're looking for.
Rather have a bmw
Sorry, but 1300 kilos of weight without rear seats, a carbon fiber bonnet, titanium exhaust and a sci-fi rear diffuser? That's some joke? My 15 years old Audi A3 is also 1300 kilos of weight with a rear seats, a steel bonnet, a factory exhaust, with a steel brakes and with everything else....it's not a surprise that Renault didn't make such a success...it seems like that car is a very expensive french scam...a masochistic french too expensive overdramatic overpriced cow.
15 years ago the measurement was different. Now the weight claimed by manufacturers is way more strict and close to reality with fluids, etc
@@tracktimevideos5164 Exactly....and one more thing.....that's not a way to give a comment, because i could act like you and i could say that i don't give a fu.k about your sh...ty comment, by the way, my crappy old A3 is weighted yesterday, without driver and with all the fluids inside on the Yearly inspection test, and a car passed the test without any fail, that's about the old crap
now they only need to learn how to build relaible cars...mybe bringinng japanise enginers...
A 4dr hatch with no back seats? What a ridiculous car. Just get a Golf R and chip it
@@tracktimevideos5164 You're obviously very passionate about this car and that's cool.
Naa, defo RS3 for me.
10 seconds ago...shooot.
60k for a Renault Mégane... Gotta be joking 🤣
Track Time Videos you could get pretty much any M car for that money. Twice the car
VW Golf r is 32k 0-60 4.9 sec 4 wheel drive makes this megane very pricey.
They clearly haven't built this FWD car for 0-62 times
£60k 😂
60k? Lol rather a Tesla M3P and still have some change left over....
You're watching the wrong channel mate 😂
@@JoeAchilles1 I enjoy your videos, very honest reviews just saying what my opinion would be if I had £60k that's all and it wouldn't be a Renault... Don't know what the hate is for a Tesla.
Thanks buddy appreciate it. Driven all of the Tesla's and honestly don't see what the fuss is about, terrible build quality, awful cabin ergonomics and sooo ugly. Just don't get the fuss around them personally.
@@JoeAchilles1 personal preference I guess but I really like the design of the model 3, especially the performance. Cyber truck is questionable though, that thing is fugly. The one I test drove had no problems with build quality compared to other reports elsewhere you hear about, I guess they're slowly improving it? I'm no Tesla fanboy by any accounts, currently driving an m135i (N55) thanks to your reviews on them.
Get out bro. Now!!!