Renault Megane RS

Renault Megane RS: Which Version Should You Buy?

Choosing a Renault Megane RS comes down to four measurable priorities: performance, transmission, economy, and body style. The five catalogue entries cover production from 2004 onward, but they represent three actual generations once restylings are grouped with their original generations.

Choosing a Renault Megane RS comes down to four measurable priorities: performance, transmission, economy, and body style. The five catalogue entries cover production from 2004 onward, but they represent three actual generations once restylings are grouped with their original generations. The second- and third-generation cars are Hatchback 3-door models with a 6-speed Manual transmission; the fourth generation changes to a Hatchback 5-door and offers both 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Robotic versions. Across the range, output runs from 173 hp to 300 hp, while recorded combined consumption ranges from 6.3 to 9.3 l/100 km.

Renault Megane RS generations: what changed?

The second generation covers the 2004–2006 original model and its 2006–2009 restyling. Both are Hatchback 3-door cars. The original catalogue entry contains two versions, both named 2.0 MT, while the restyled entry contains four. The 224 hp Gasoline specification appears in both periods, but the restyling also adds a 173 hp Diesel alternative. Every listed second-generation version has a 6-speed Manual gearbox and FWD.

The third generation covers the 2009–2014 original car and the 2013–2016 restyling, both in Hatchback 3-door form. The original entry has two 2.0 MT versions producing 250 hp and 265 hp. The restyled entry has three 2.0 MT versions producing 250 hp, 265 hp, and 275 hp. All use Gasoline, Turbo, a 6-speed Manual gearbox, and FWD.

The fourth generation starts in 2018 and is listed without a closing production date. It changes the format to a Hatchback 5-door and has four versions: two 1.8 MT specifications and two 1.8 EDC specifications. Outputs range from 279 hp to 300 hp. Every version uses a 1798 cc Gasoline engine, Turbo, and FWD; the buyer can choose between 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Robotic transmissions.

Renault Megane RS engine specs and version comparison

Repeated version names are distinguished below by power and period so that every 2.0 MT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 EDC remains identifiable.

The power-per-litre comparison shows the generational progression. The 224 hp, 1998 cc 2.0 MT produces approximately 112 hp per litre. The third-generation 250 hp, 265 hp, and 275 hp versions deliver approximately 125, 133, and 138 hp per litre. The fourth-generation 1798 cc engine reaches approximately 155–156 hp per litre in the 279–280 hp versions and approximately 167 hp per litre at 300 hp.

Torque separates some otherwise similar choices. The 300 hp 1.8 MT produces 400 Nm, while the 300 hp 1.8 EDC produces 420 Nm, a difference of 20 Nm in favor of the Robotic version. Among the early cars, the 173 hp Diesel 2.0 MT makes 380 Nm—80 Nm more than the 224 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT—despite having 51 hp less.

Renault Megane RS performance, 0–100 km/h, and fuel economy

For outright performance, the 300 hp 1.8 MT is the strongest numerical choice: its 5.7-second acceleration matches the 300 hp 1.8 EDC, but its 260 km/h top speed is 5 km/h higher. It also records combined consumption of 8.3 l/100 km, which is 0.3 l/100 km lower than the 300 hp 1.8 EDC.

The 280 hp 1.8 MT offers the best recorded balance between acceleration and consumption. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds—only 0.1 second behind either 300 hp version—while using 7.1 l/100 km combined. That is 1.2 l/100 km less than the 300 hp 1.8 MT and 1.5 l/100 km less than the 300 hp 1.8 EDC.

For the lowest recorded fuel use, choose the 173 hp Diesel 2.0 MT at 6.3 l/100 km combined. The trade-off is clear: its 8.5-second acceleration is 2 seconds slower than the 224 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT, and its 220 km/h top speed is 16 km/h lower.

Renault Megane RS dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels

Overall length, width, and other exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied catalogue data. The available size-related figures are weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and selected wheel sizes.

Weight per horsepower highlights the 300 hp 1.8 MT at approximately 4.73 kg/hp. The 280 hp 1.8 MT follows at approximately 5.03 kg/hp, while the 300 hp 1.8 EDC carries approximately 5.07 kg/hp. The 275 hp third-generation 2.0 MT is also competitive at approximately 5.02 kg/hp, although its acceleration and top-speed figures are not measured.

The 300 hp 1.8 MT is 103 kg lighter than the 300 hp 1.8 EDC. Comparing the lower-output fourth-generation alternatives, the 280 hp 1.8 MT is 23 kg lighter than the 279 hp 1.8 EDC while also having 1 hp more.

Which Renault Megane RS version should you choose?

Choose the 2018–present 1.8 MT, 300 hp if acceleration, top speed, and weight per horsepower matter most. It combines 300 hp, 400 Nm, a 5.7-second 0–100 km/h time, a 260 km/h top speed, and a 1419 kg kerb weight. Against the 300 hp 1.8 EDC, it gives up 20 Nm but is 103 kg lighter, travels 5 km/h faster, and records 0.3 l/100 km lower combined consumption.

Choose the 2018–present 1.8 MT, 280 hp for the strongest all-round numerical compromise. Its 5.8-second acceleration is close to the 300 hp cars, yet its 7.1 l/100 km combined consumption is the lowest recorded among the fourth-generation versions. It also retains the 6-speed Manual transmission and is the only fourth-generation entry with measured wheel options: 235/40 R18 and 245/35 R19.

Choose the 2018–present 1.8 EDC, 300 hp when the 6-speed Robotic gearbox and maximum listed torque are the priorities. Its 420 Nm is the highest figure in the data, and its 5.7-second acceleration equals that of the 300 hp 1.8 MT. The measurable compromises are its 1522 kg kerb weight, 255 km/h top speed, and 8.6 l/100 km combined consumption.

Among third-generation cars, the 2011–2014 or 2013–2016 2.0 MT, 265 hp is the best fully measured performance choice. Both reach 100 km/h in 6 seconds and 254 km/h. The restyled 2013–2016 version records 7.5 l/100 km combined, 0.7 l/100 km less than the earlier 265 hp car, and weighs 1394 kg rather than 1462 kg—a reduction of 68 kg.

The 2013–2016 2.0 MT, 275 hp has the most power and the best weight-per-horsepower figure among the third-generation listings, but acceleration, top speed, and consumption are not measured. It therefore suits a buyer prioritizing its 275 hp, 360 Nm, and 1381 kg figures over having a complete performance and economy record.

For minimum recorded consumption, the 2006–2009 2.0 MT, 173 hp Diesel is the clear choice at 6.3 l/100 km combined. For stronger acceleration within the second generation, the 224 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT cuts the 0–100 km/h time from 8.5 to 6.5 seconds. Price, current sale availability, engine code, engine oil specification, engine number location, and reliability or problem records are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.