My new ride...
 

...is a new Renault Megane RS Cup 265.

Unfortunately, after 4 years of a really good time with the 370z I decided to sell it - mainly because of 2 wonderful kids that have joined the family (so I need two extra seats).

I drove a few cars (Golf, Audi, etc) and, to be honest, they were all pretty 'boring' coming from the Zed. And then I came across this thing - It's a hatchback - but, hell, it's no Golf. This was one ready to go at the dealer's lot and discounted pretty hard - in my favourite colour combination. When I took it for a test drive I was sold immediately. This car has such a good chassis and is so involving (despite FWD)! Granted, there is some lag from the turbo but the way this thing puts the power down and smacks the torque in your face is impressive...so much so that it actually feels a lot quicker than the Z (which is more linear) - which it wouldn't be on paper.

Anyway, here she goes:

http://s3.postimg.org/scdha6fxr/ATT_...5_DSC_0129.jpg

http://s3.postimg.org/tq545hf73/ATT_...0_DSC_0294.jpg

http://s3.postimg.org/o5x88l5pr/DSC_0225.jpg

huh so it's like a velociter (sp?) then?

Almost, but not quite :)

TBH, it's a bit of a different world to a Veloster - to give you an idea this thing went around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7m:54s (in the top spec 275 Trophy-R version), which makes it the fastest production FWD car in the world.

That's quicker than a Ferrari F430 F1 was in 2006 when it was driven by a German pro driver. Or, in other words, just about on par with the 2008 Nissan GT-R. See list of lap times below:

List of Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How's the build quality on Renault's? I'm currently living in Mexico, which Renault is sold as well...and I've been looking for a fun little hatchback to jump into. The Golf GTI seems like the solid choice but as you said, feels boring IMO. In Mexico they only sell the Clio RS 200EDC, but I don't know much about the brand (quality and reliability) and haven't had a chance to drive a Clio RS since the dealer doesn't have one.

Car looks great btw :tup:

Batman_4, i test drove the Clio RS as well - really fun little drive, although not quite as aggressive and track focussed as the Megane. Definitely more engaging than a Golf. 4 doors too, which is handy. Only issue with it is that is even smaller than a golf (so Polo size). But that may not be an issue for you.

Build quality is fine - it's not as solid as a German and maybe not quite as reliable as a Japanese brand. But let's not forget that Renault is a prominent supplier to Formula 1 and that they would be stupid not to put some of those learnings into their road cars.

Give it a test drive! I'm sure you'll like it.

that's cool. so in direct competition with the upcoming civic-R :D

Yep, that one is definitely a contender for the hot hatch crown. Will come as AWD, right?

not sure, im not really familiar with civics. but chances are they probably will have the rear motor driven SH-awd. :tup:

Congrats. I admire these daily as I live right behind and above a Renault dealer lol! :) Enjoy it!

Congrats

Thanks guys.

Minor update - Did an ECU remap on the car and now pushing around 280-300bhp. Around 400nm torque - this thing goes like crazy! Loving it.

This is the HATCH I'M DYING TO COME STATESIDE!

How bad is the torque steer? My other car is FWD with about 220 lb-ft of torque at the wheels and it's got plenty, I imagine this thing is tough to stay on top of/keep it out of the ditch?

You'd be very surprised how little of it you feel - if anything the steering wheel feels incredibly connected to the road. Here's a test of the car a few years ago:

Renault Megane RS265 Review | CarAdvice

Quote: "Despite the additional power output going to the front wheels of the Renault Megane RS265, torque steer simply doesn’t exist. That’s almost entirely the result of the Megane RS’s independent steering axis, which separates the front suspension from the damper"

I haven't tracked it personally but check this out for some point of reference :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02cpzgoVqC4

(this guy can drive btw)

Apparently the new Civic Type R has just taken the hot hatch crown at nurburgring in Germany:


Video: 2015 Civic Type R destroys Nurburgring lap record

Very impressive...