If ever there was a car that failed to live up to its vast potential, it’s Renault Sport’s Megane 225. Looking at the specifications, it’s hard to see how this supremely cheeky-looking hot hatch could go wrong. It has a class-leading 165 kW of power, all the requisite sports hardware, and is fettled by the same organisation responsible for the soul-gratifying Clio Sport.
Yet somewhere things went amiss. Awkward electric power steering, a fidgety ride and curiously unresolved handling added up to a character that was a little unruly for most.
Renault obviously agrees because there’s now a new hot Megane on the streets, badged with the “Cup” tag. The changes will be music to the ears of enthusiasts. Renault has revised the steering, stiffened the suspension even further, uprated the Brembo brakes, added new 18-inch wheels and tyres, and removed or reduced the input of some of the electronic doodads such as brake assist and stability control, which used to sully the driving experience. Click here to read more.. »