As is the case with Renault in Australia fans have been made to wait for the manufacturer’s latest and greatest hot hatch. But now, a year after its European debut, the Megane RS 265 is available down under.
Obviously the 265 refers to the peak horsepower figure within the car’s 2.0 litre turbo four; if you deal in kilowatts the magic number is 195. Coupled with a very handy 360Nm of torque and a good old fashioned 6-speed manual box, the front-wheel drive master can reach 100km/h in six seconds flat.
The Megane RS 250 was launched in Australia in late 2010 and to find the extra 15 horsepower for the RS 265 Renault has turned up the boost on the turbo by 0.2 bar, to a new peak of 2.5 bar. They also upgraded the air intake and tweaked the ECU to suit.
With a steady right foot Renault reckon you’ll use fuel at the rate of 8.2l/100km, but, really, why buy a hot Megane to drive it like a nanna?
Renault has made the RS 265 available in four different specifications. The range starts with the Cup model, which has a manufacturer’s list price of $42,640. There are three Trophy specifications: the regular Trophy is priced from $47,140, the Trophy+ from $51,640 and the limited edition Trophy 8:08 (pictured above) is $49,990.
The Trophy 8:08 is a reference to the car’s Nürburgring lap time, which stands as the current front-wheel drive record for a production vehicle around the famed 20.832km Nordschleife. Only 100 will be heading to Australia and you can have any colour you like so long as it’s liquid yellow or pearl white.
We reckon the RS 265 range is pretty good value for money and in the entry-level Cup model you get things like 18″ alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, limited slip diff, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth audio and more as standard equipment. You can read the full list in the detailed Australian press kit, available below.
Over and above the equipment found in the Cup the Trophy adds Recaro seats, 19″ Steev alloy wheels, hands free entry and tyre pressure monitoring. In addition to those features the Trophy+ includes Renault Sport heated leather seats with electric adjustment, integrated sat nav with a 7″ screen, reversing camera, bi-xenon headlights, a fixed glass roof and front/rear parking sensors.
The Trophy 8:08 drops the sat nav and reversing camera from the Trophy+ along with the fixed glass roof, but picks up model specific decals.
A comprehensive range of 50 wallpaper-friendly photos and detailed press information awaits after the break. Once you’ve read all that, don’t be surprised if you find yourself making contact with your local Renault dealer. Actually, it may surprise you to learn that Australia is the world’s third largest market for the Megane RS models.
The New Mégane R.S. 265: the Best Just Got Better
23 August 2012
Renault Australia today launched the highly-anticipated Mégane R.S. 265 – the ultimate hot hatch and driver’s car.
Inspired by a tender to the Gendarmerie Nationale (the French Police) for their rapid intervention vehicles, the Mégane R.S. 265 delivers 15 extra horsepower and 20Nm additional torque over the Mégane R.S. 250. By selecting the Sport Mode, the driver can benefit from peak power of 265hp/195kW and torque of 360Nm for an even crisper acceleration response.
All Mégane R.S. 265 come standard with Renault Sport’s legendary Cup chassis combined with a limited slip differential and deliver outstanding traction. The Mégane R.S. 265 retains the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission (PK4).
To deliver the ultimate exhaust note at all revs the Mégane R.S. 265 benefits from a more open exhaust design and enhanced engine acoustics.
Through a series of subtle exterior changes, the Mégane R.S. 265 delivers a stronger personality and more exclusive feel. The front end has been designed to be more expressive with the F1-style front blade, characteristic of Renault Sport models, now featuring two rows of six LEDs and chrome highlights. In addition, the front headlight masks are now sporty black.
New 18-inch matt black wheels rims are available along with an optional R.S. Red Design Pack, which comprises red pin-striping for the F1 blade, side protective mouldings and rear diffuser.
New interior trims showcase the quality and comfort of the cabin. Depending on the specification level, visible red or yellow stitching on the upholstery, steering wheel and gear lever knob compliments a striking dashboard trim strip and the flamboyant seatbelts, a hallmark of Renault Sport design. A new, distinctive, two-tone light grey and charcoal leather upholstery can be specified as an option on the range-topping Trophy+. Other sporty appointments include a black lacquer finish for the centre console and air vent surrounds, plus a carbon-effect finish for the door panel inserts.
For the first time, when the optional satellite navigation is specified, the Mégane R.S. 265 comes with a rear-view camera with park-assist system. To further enhance driver comfort, indicators with highway mode are now standard across the range along with an Air Quality Senor, which monitors the quality of the outside air entering the cabin and automatically activates the air recycling mode when necessary.
The new Mégane R.S. 265 is the first vehicle to feature a new user-friendly radio interface, designed in response to customer feedback.
In response to customer demand, the Mégane R.S. 265 will now be available in three generous specification levels from launch; the entry-level Cup, the sport orientated Trophy and for the first time, the range-topping, luxury Trophy+. The Mégane R.S. 265 remains highly competitively priced with a host of standard features across the range and a manufacturer’s list price starting at just $42,640, excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges.
Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy 8:08
In June 2011, the Mégane R.S. established a new record of 8mins 8secs for a lap of the Nürburgring, making it the fastest front-wheel drive car ever round the ‘Nordschleife’. To celebrate this momentous achievement, the Mégane R.S. 265 will be launching with a limited edition specification – the Trophy 8:08. The Trophy 8:08 features leather trimmed RECARO seats, black Steev alloy design wheels with red-piping fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, bi-xenon directional headlights and limited edition Trophy decals. The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres were used to set the lap record. In addition the Trophy 8:08 will be available in two limited edition colours – Renault Sport’s signature liquid yellow and pearl white. Only 100 examples of the Trophy 8:08 will be coming to Australia.
Commenting on the launch of the Mégane R.S. 265, Justin Hocevar, Managing Director of Renault Australia, said; “I am so excited to be launching the Mégane R.S. 265 in Australia. We have been blown away by the overwhelming customer response to the Mégane R.S. 250 and are actually, currently the third largest market globally for this car.
“The Mégane R.S. 265 represents the best of Renault and Renault Sport. Through subtle changes to the exterior and interior, we have achieved a striking result and a noticeable difference from the Mégane R.S. 250.
“We have already seen a strong demand for the new Mégane R.S. 265 and anticipate we will sell out of our 2012 allocation quickly. I would encourage customers to place their orders as soon as possible to avoid disappointment,†said Hocevar.
The Mégane R.S. 265 will go on sale nationally on August 28th, 2012. Like all Australian market Renault Sport models, the new Mégane R.S. 265 is covered by a comprehensive 3 year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Manufacturer’s List Price
(Does not include dealer delivery of statutory costs, please consult a dealer for drive away pricing relevant to your state)
Models
- Mégane R.S. 265 Cup – $42,640
- Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy – $47,140
- Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy+ – $51,640
Limited Edition
- Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy 8:08 – $49,990
Options
Mégane R.S. 265 Cup
- Electrically adjustable, heated black R.S. leather seats with rear arm rest – $2,490
- Bi-xenon directional headlights – $1,490
- Front parking sensors – $390
- Integrated satellite navigation – $1,490
- Integrated satellite navigation with front parking sensors and reversing camera with park-assist – $2,490
- R.S. Red Design Pack – $890
- Metallic Paint – $800
Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy
- Leather RECARO bucket seats with rear arm rest – $2,490
- Bi-xenon directional headlights – $1,490
- Front parking sensors – $390
- Integrated satellite navigation – $1,490
- Integrated satellite navigation with front parking sensors and reversing camera with park-assist – $2,490
- 18-inch alloy wheels – No cost
- R.S. Red Design Pack – $890
- Metallic Paint – $800
Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy+
- Electrically adjustable, heated two-tone grey R.S. leather seats – No cost
- Leather RECARO bucket seats – $1,490
- 18-inch alloy wheels – No cost
- R.S. Monitor* – No cost
- R.S. Red Design Pack – $890
- Metallic Paint – $800
*Not compatible with integrated satellite navigation and rear parking camera
Downloads
- Renault Megane RS 265 – Australian press kit (666kb PDF)
- Renault Megane RS 265 – Factory options (385kb PDF)
5 replies on “Renault Megane RS 265 – Australian pricing”
What is a “R.S. Red Design Pack”?
With the premium price of the RS265 I wish Renault Australia priced it more competitively. With the very high AUD most manufacturers have been reducing their list prices.
Or at least Renault could of made SAT NAV, leather seats and xenon’s standard across the range.
While this slightly a more capable car on the track Ford did a good job pricing their new ST, very slight hike but it is loaded with everything. Only option is leather Recaro’s, but I prefer the partial leather Recaro’s anyway (last longer).
The standard headlights on the Cup aren’t even HID either. I mean come on Renault Australia.
IIRC the red pack is the wheels with the red lip as standard on the Trophy 8:08, and maybe some red trim elsewhere on the bodywork. The detail is in the press kit.
I thought the pricing for the RS265 was not too bad, but on reflection you make some good points.
Regarding the Focus ST, though; the new Focus design makes the Megane look like the world’s most beautiful car!
This would be my new car of choice. DAMN YOU MORTGAGE!!!!!!!
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