Renault Megane Renaultsport Road Test

Renault Megane

ABS with EBD is included in the safety package, along with ASR Traction Control, CSV understeer control and switchable ESP. Just in case it all goes wrong, there are two-stage font airbags for the driver and front passenger together with front and rear curtain airbags. Unfortunately, side airbags are not compatible with Recaro seats, so they are fitted to the 225 Cup and Lux but not the R26.

Although the Recaro front seats and the numbered plaque underneath the aircraft-style handbrake are internal suggestions of the R26’s sporty nature, it is still doubles as a family car, when the track isn’t available. To prove the point, there are ISOFIX mountings to the front passenger, and outer rear seats.

The R26 is a three-door, so getting in and out can be a bit of a performance and rear legroom is at a premium, but behind the seats there is some 330-litres of luggage space, which isn’t bad.

Other features include cruise control with speed limiter, a rake- and reach-adjustable steering column, climate control and a single CD/MP3/radio with six speakers.

The outside of the R26 is blatantly sporty with integrated front fogs, a rear spoiler and Renault F1 decals and details scattered about the bodywork. The car can be ordered without the decals at no extra cost but it will still look the part, particularly in Liquid Yellow; one of five body colours. The sparkly yellow paint job is so special that it adds £1,200 to the £19,860 asking price.

Other optional extras include a Bluetooth, hands-free kit (£250), rear parking sensors, so you can continue to shake that rear end for £300; xenon headlamps add £500 and a Multi-Functional TunePoint will set you back a further £175.

Apparently, people in the UK buy more Renaultsport cars than anywhere else in the world. And rightly so, when the R26 offers all the fun of a track-day but is equally content to visit the local supermarket.