New Megane Renaultsport 225 | Part Two

With a new 2-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine developing 225hp at 5,500rpm and 300Nm of torque providing horizon-shrinking power at only 3,000rpm, the Mégane 225 has a top speed of 147mph and 0-62mph is dispatched in just 6.5 seconds. This compares to 7.1 seconds and 139mph for the Clio 182 and 5.8 seconds and 153mph for the hard-core two-seater Clio V6 255. Proving the efficiency of this Renaultsport developed turbo-charged engine are fuel consumption figures that are the best in class – Urban driving 24.6mpg, Extra urban 40.4mpg and Combined cycle of 32.1mpg.

The UK Lower medium sports sector has grown significantly over the last six years from 5,000 in 1998 to over 25,000 in 2003 with cars like the Honda Civic Type-R, Audi A3 quattro / S3, Alfa 147 GTA, Subaru Impreza WRX and two models now discontinued, the Ford Focus RS and VW Golf R32.

Equipment levels are also class-leading so that when you’re not attacking the twisty backroads, you can revel in the comfort and refinement provided by the air-conditioning, cruise control with speed-limiter (could be very useful!), six-disc CD multi-changer and part leather upholstery.

UK exterior colours are Inferno, Steel Grey, Arctic Blue, Moonlight Blue and Black Gold. There are four interior treatments available. As standard is part leather, part charcoal cloth upholstery with silver grey detailing. A no-cost option is orange detailing which comprises orange stitching on the steering wheel, gearknob and gaiter surround, handbrake, door panels and seats and orange seatbelts.

As a £600 option, full leather charcoal upholstery is available with either silver grey or orange detailing.